The Boston Farmers Market Season kicked off this week with the opening of the Copley Square Farmers’ Market. This market will be in the park from 11 am to 6 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays from now until November 24th. Mass Farmers Markets were recently selected as a “Local Hero” in the category of non-profit organizations, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the local foods movement in greater Boston. For more information, log on to www.massfarmersmarkets.org.
Category: Uncategorized
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Saturday, June 6, 8 – 10 a.m. – Graffiti NABBers’ Spring Cleaning
On June 6, the Graffiti NABBers plan a major cleaning of Newbury and Boylston Streets to remove the winter visual clutter. If many participate, we can accomplish this goal in a couple of hours. If you need training, we’ll teach you our simple techniques. We’ll provide the materials. Rain Date: Sunday, June 7.
Meet outside the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay Office at 337 Newbury Street, between Hereford and Massachusetts Avenue. This cleaning is badly needed and will make a huge difference! This is fun and worthwhile! Meet your neighbors and make a difference! If you plan to participate, or for more information, please contact anneswanson@verizon.net. -
Saturday, May 30, 11-2 – Clarendon Street Playground Family Fun Day
Come to the Clarendon Street Playground on the corner of Clarendon and Commonwealth Avenue on Saturday, May 30. There will be food, drinks, games, balloons, entertainment, prizes, and fun for all. The playground is in need of new toys – please bring a new, fun, weatherproof toy to leave that day. Suggestions include sand shovels and pails, soft balls and bats, trucks, and push/riding toys. To make the day a success, the Playground Committee of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay needs volunteers. Contact playground@nabbonline.com, or call NABB at 617-247-3961.
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Monday, May 11, 10:00 a.m., The College Club, 44 Commonwealth Avenue – Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Past and Present
The Garden Club of the Back Bay is pleased to present John W. Trexler, Executive Director of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, who has taken time from his very busy schedule to speak to our Club about Tower Hill Botanic Garden.
John, a plant and garden expert, has contributed to the world of horticulture in many ways. His primary accomplishment is the creation and development of Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts, the home of the Worcester County Horticulture Society. In addition, he has founded and led several Plant and Garden Societies and is an active member of many other plant related groups. He inspires donors, volunteers, and staff to help complete his vision. His drive for perfection has created a world class garden in just 25 years. The garden is not only a show piece but a rich educational environment. John is a founding member of the Garden Conservancy and is on their Steering Committee. He worked with Frank Cabot in 1989 to create this National nonprofit organization which preserves exceptional American gardens for public education and enjoyment. He began his career in New Jersey at Skyland Manor State Park as assistant horticulturist. When he left New Jersey for Worcester less than ten years later, he had convinced the Governor of NJ to designate Skylands as the State Botanic Garden and he had served as president of the Skylands Association.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden has been created under John Trexlers guidance from the beginning. He was instrumental in every phase of its conception and development. Environmentally sensitive planning of Tower Hill is exemplified by the Wildlife Pond which collects the run off from the buildings and naturally purifies it and at the same time feeds and shelters wildlife with native plants.
At the Annual Meeting in Houston this May the National Garden Clubs, Inc. will bestow the Award of Excellence to John Trexler for his outstanding contributions in horticulture: the establishment of Tower Hill Botanic Garden, a world class garden, for his service to the plant societies and gardening organizations, and for his work to preserve and enhance the environment. Mr. Trexler embodies Excellence through his skill in horticulture and creation of exceptional gardens, and perhaps more important, in his leadership and enthusiasm in developing environments where everyone can share and learn these skills.
An optional lunch will follow the meeting ($19 per person). To reserve, contact The Garden Club of the Back Bay at info@bostonflora.com.
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Saturday, May 30 – Sunday, May 31 – Open House, A Standard Flower Show
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and The Massachusetts Horticultural Society present Open House, A Standard Flower Show, at The Manor House & The Educational Building, Elm Bank Horticultural Center, Elm Bank, 900 Washington Street, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482. Hours are Saturday, 10 – 4, and Sunday, 11 – 4. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Garden Club of the Back Bay Member Donna Morrissey is Co-Chairman of the Flower Show Committee, so we hope all our members will try to attend. Open House is the second joint venture in what may become a biennial tradition at Elm Bank, home of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Each organization is dedicated to the pursuit of perfection in horticulture and design. Inspired by the surroundings at Elm Bank and mindful of the elements and principles of design, the aim of this show is to complement the Georgian House. For directions and more information, log on to www.masshort.org. or www.gcfm.org.
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Sunday, May 10, 10 – 4 – Lilac Sunday
Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum, only one, the lilac, is singled out each year for a daylong celebration. On Lilac Sunday, garden enthusiasts from all over New England gather at the Arboretum to picnic, watch Morris dancing, and tour the lilac collection. On the day of the event, which takes place rain or shine, the Arboretum is open as usual from dawn to dusk. Refreshments are available for purchase from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Street parking along the Arboretum perimeter is limited and visitors are advised to take public transportation. Some parking spaces outside the gates will be designated for special-needs visitors. No unauthorized vehicles will be allowed within the gates during the event. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; wheelchairs may not be reserved in advance. Please inquire at the front desk of the Hunnewell Building or at the information tents inside the Forest Hills Gate and Center Street Gate if you or someone in your party requires a wheelchair. Log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu/plants/lilac_sunday.html for more information.
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Friday, May 1, 1:30 – 4:30 pm – Memorial Service for Esther Gaum
The life of the late Esther Gaum, a member of The Garden Club of the Back Bay for over forty years, will be celebrated on Friday, May 1, at The College Club of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. Esther, who passed away peacefully at her home on October 9, 2008, was a member of The College Club, The Merry Matrons, and was a talented craftswoman. A brief memorial service at 1:30 will be followed by tea and refreshments. By Invitation Only.
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Tuesday, May 12, 12 noon – Fred Mauet Bench Dedication
You are invited to attend the dedication of a memorial bench for Fred Mauet on Tuesday, May 12 at 12 noon on the Berkeley to Clarendon block of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall (near the General Glover statue.) The bench is a gift to the Mall from the Friends of the Public Garden and from the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay in honor of Fred’s life and service to our neighborhoods and parks. Refreshments to follow at The College Club of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Avenue. Please respond to Liz Vizza at fopg@gis.net by May 5th. Fred was a great friend of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, and we are pleased to join with the Friends and with NABB at this event.
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Thursday, May 7, 6-7:30 – Opening Reception, “The Poetry of a Chinese Watercolor Spring”
Jing Hua’s watercolor painting garnered high acclaim in her last exhibit at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. Jing Hua uses traditional Chinese brush painting techniques to paint landscapes, birds and flowers, and figures in either detail or free style. Her watercolors move between classic and contemporary Chinese concepts. Ms. Dalia’s works reflect her intensive training that began at the age of nine with her father, the prominent Chinese artist and calligraphy master Chiang Kai-shek’s son, Chiang Ching-guo, the President of the Republic of China. Her studying continued under some of China’s most outstanding watercolorists. She earned a degree from the National Taiwan Normal University and went on to graduate work in Hawaii. She has exhibited at galleries across the country including the Soho Art Museum, The Copley Society, and the Currier Museum. Meet the artist at the opening reception, which will offer a cash bar and light refreshments. Free and open to the public. For more information call 508-869-6111, or log on to www.towerhillbg.org. The exhibit will run from May 5 – June 14, 2009.
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Wednesday, April 22, 6-8 – How To Shop A Nursery
Massachusetts Horticultural Society kicks off the first talk in the Wednesday Nights at Elm Bank lecture series on April 22 from 6-8 pm. If you would like to get a professional’s tips on selecting the best from a nursery, come hear Tom Ward, who will answer questions including “Where do I find what I want to grow?’ and “How do I know which plant to buy?” Putting in healthy plants is one of the keys to successful gardening and Tom will share his many decades of experience in choosing the right plant. He will talk about how to evaluate nursery stock when presented with dozens of seemingly identical plants, and how to put that plant in the ground once it’s purchased. $10 public, $5 MHS Member. You may register on line, and read more about the Wednesday Nights series, at www.masshort.org.