Trees For Troops

Donate a real Christmas Tree to a military family for $30.

Imagine somewhere on the other side of the world, a group of U.S. troops gathered around a fresh, real Christmas tree that was express shipped from the states. Or imagine how a military family of a deployed loved one would feel if they received a real Christmas tree, given by a caring family they have never met. This is the mission of  Trees for Troops, a national charitable campaign that provides real Christmas trees to members of the armed forces and their families at more than 65 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. Since 2005, Trees for Troops has provided more than 176,00 Christmas Trees to military families and troops in the United States and overseas.

2018 will be Mahoney’s 12th year participating in the Trees for Troops program and they hope to make it their most successful year yet! They are proud to say that through the support of our customers, last year we were able to donate 2700 Christmas trees. This year, with your help they think they can do even better. They’ve made it easier than ever to donate a tree by accepting donations in all of their stores, online, and over the phone. To support online, and for more information, visit http://mahoneysgarden.com/trees-troops/

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Holiday Wreaths: Deadline for Fully Decorated Wreath Orders is TODAY

Today is the day! Log on to http://gardenclubbackbay.org/shop and get your order in for one of the Garden Club of the Back Bay’s beautiful, fully decorated holiday wreaths.  We will deliver your wreath within our delivery area next week, or you may pick up your item at The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street, on either Wednesday, December 5 or Thursday, December 6 (our Tuesday slots are filled.)  All proceeds are used to further our primary mission of saving and expanding the tree canopy in the Back Bay, and supporting other not for profit organizations engaged in environmental and horticultural endeavors.  Thank you in advance!

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Friday, December 14, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Life in the Clouds: New England’s Alpine Plants Webinar

This New England Wild Flower Society webinar on December 14 from 1 – 2 pm takes participants on a survey of some of the region’s most extreme and beautiful habitats, New England’s high mountain summits. Join Research Botanist Arthur Haines as he addresses a broad survey of plants adapted to these habitats, showing the physical characteristics of the sites and various adaptations that plants use to live at high elevation. $10 for NEWFS members, $13 for nonmembers.  Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/life-in-the-clouds-new-england2019s-alpine-plants

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Wednesday, December 12, 7:00 pm – The Fabulous Winter Crow Roost

On Wednesday, December 12 at the Athol Bird & Nature Club meeting, Bob and Dana Fox (pictured below) will relate their research on the 16.000+ crows roosting in the Lawrence area each winter: where and when they evolved, a discussion of current research demonstrating their intelligence, an overview of their natural history; and a recount of their over 90 nights observing up to 16,000 crows staging and roosting at the Greater Lawrence, MA crow roost last winter. You will want to go out and find your own crow roost when they finish! Programs are free and open to all, meet at 7 pm at The Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol. For more information visit http://atholbirdclub.org.

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Friday, December 7, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, & Saturday, December 8, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Holiday Greens Sale

The Aptucxet Garden Club of Bourne will hold a two day Holiday Greens Sale outside at the Briggs MDermott House Forge, Sandwich Road in Bourne, on Friday, December 7 from 4 – 8 and Saturday, December 8 from 9 – noon.  For more information visit http://aptuxcetgardenclub.com

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Saturday, December 15, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Entomology Workshop: Pinning and Learning

Discover the world of insects in a hands-on entomology workshop on December 15 at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge. Students will learn how to prepare and preserve three types of deceased specimens for collections and display, including a large cicada, an Atlas beetle, and the choice of a butterfly or moth. Learn about the science of invertebrates from Harvard entomologist Shoyo Sato, who will introduce us to some of the members of the museum’s live collection. If you’re feeling brave, you can hold a cockroach! Each student will leave with three finished pinned insect specimens ready for drying and display, along with a full set of entomology tools and instructions for future projects.

This class starts promptly at 10 am and ends between 11:30 am and 12 pm. Students who are delayed are asked to call ahead so we know when to expect you. A contact phone number will be provided after you are registered. We will accommodate late arrivals to the best of our ability but late students are not guaranteed to finish their projects during designated class time. This class is open to adults 18 and older.

Instructors: Mickey Alice Kwapis, Professional Taxidermist, and Shoyo Sato, Harvard doctoral candidate and entomologist

Fees: $125 HMNH members/ $150 nonmembers. Advance registration required at https://hmnh.harvard.edu/event/entomology-workshop-pinning-and-learning

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Tuesday, December 11, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Daytime Floral Design

Join the Boston Center for Adult Education at 122 Arlington Street in Boston on December 11 from 2:30 – 4:30 for a relaxing afternoon of floral design. In this class, you’ll create your very own beautiful floral arrangement with the help of accomplished floral designer Jimmy Guzman. You’ll leave feeling refreshed, with your lovely floral arrangement to display in your home or give as a gift. $32, plus a materials fee of $25. Register at https://bcae.org/product/daytime-floral-design-12-11-2018/

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Saturday, December 8, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – 2018 Newburyport Holiday House Tour

The 2018 Holiday House Tour in Newburyport, sponsored by the Custom House Maritime Museum, will take place Saturday, December 8 from 10 – 4.  The range of styles and appointments throughout these elegant tour homes generates an exciting holiday experience while showcasing the unique history and culture of the Newburyport area. For complete details visit http://customhousemaritimemuseum.org or call 978-462-8681.

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Saturday, December 8, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm – Andover House Tour: Evergreens, Holly & Joy

On Saturday, December 8, from 10 – 4, the Andover Garden Club presents a House Tour entitled Evergreens, Holly & Joy. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 on day of tour at the Faith Lutheran Church on South Main Street in Andover.

 

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Tuesday, December 4, 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm – The Ethics of Species Conservation

Ronald Sandler, PhD, Chair and Professor of Philosophy; Director, Ethics Institute, Northeastern University, will speak at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University on Tuesday, December 4 at 7 pm.

Rapid ecological change, and climate change in particular, pose challenges to traditional conservation paradigms and strategies. It has also led some conservationists to endorse novel conservation techniques, such as assisted colonization, gene drives and even de-extinction.

This talk will explore the values and philosophies that underlie species conservation under conditions of rapid change. It will ask us to think about what is valuable about species and why we ought to try to conserve them. Free for Arboretum members, $10 for nonmembers.

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