|
|
|
"It's a marshmallow world in the winter, when the snow comes to cover the ground. It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day, I wait for it all year round. Those are marshmallow clouds being friendly, in the arms of the evergreen trees. The world is your snowball, see how it grows, that's how it goes, whenever it snows...get out and roll it along."
|
|
|
|
|
The words of the old English carol stuck with me this week as we struggled here at the estate to keep up with the 60 inches of snow that has fallen in the last two weeks: In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow... Yes, snow on snow on snow...and now I hear there may be more snow on snow in the coming days. As an irrepressible lover of snow and winter, even I am almost, almost, at the point ready to shout "UNCLE!" As we labor to clear our paths and lanes, let us also pause to marvel at the stunning beauty around us, and be grateful to have eyes to see it!
Mark Smith
|
|
Donate!
Consider supporting our work with a generous contribution.
Join Our Mailing List!
|
|
|
2015 Stone Soup Series: Great Trees of the Estate
Thursday, February 26: 5:30-7:00 pm
Portrait of the Apple Tree
This month's Stone Soup will feature Maggie Redfern, Assistant Director of Connecticut College Arboretum, continuing with this year's series theme offering "portraits" of some of the great trees at the Wakefield Estate. Her talk will look at Malus domestica, our beloved Apple, of which Michael Pollan wrote, "it is remarkable how closely the history of the apple tree is connected with that of man." In addition to its history, Redfern will also explore how modern orchard trees are created by grafting particular apple varieties to ancient strains of root stock. Hopefully, some present will leave the session inspired to sign up for our March Compact Orchard session! Stone Soup and Speakers events are held on the final Thursday of each month through May. These warm and casual programs begin with a bowl of tasty home-made soup, followed by a short presentation by a featured speaker. Space IS limited. Pre-registration is required. To RSVP or for more information, please call 617-333-0924.
The schedule for the rest of the Stone Soup and Speaker Series is:
March 26: Dawn Redwood, Metasequoia
April 30: Dove or Hankerchief Tree, Davidia involucrata
May 28: Chinese Dogwood, Cornus kousa
|
|
Backyard Homesteading Compact Orchard Session
Saturday, March 21, 9:00 - 11:00 am
Become a backyard orchardist and grow your own fruit! Even in a small backyard, you can enjoy fruit from your own trees with minimal effort and cost. Our step-by-step workshop, to be held March 21 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m, will teach you all you need to know to plan and create a compact orchard for years of enjoyment. No experience necessary. Participants will spend part of the workshop outside in the orchard for a pruning demonstration, so dress accordingly. Suggested donation is $20/person. Space is limited; pre-registration required.
Register at http://my.arboretum.harvard.edu. For more information, call the Arnold Arboretum at 617-384-5277 or our office at 617-333-0924 x22 during business hours.
This event is co-sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum.
|
|
The "Big Idea!" BPS Science Specialist Holly Rosa's Innovative Work with Students During Field Trips to Wakefield Estate Profiled in National Journal
The Wakefield Estate was thrilled to learn last week that the National Science Teachers Journal, Children and Science, had published an article co-written by one of our favorite Science Specialists, Holly Rosa from Russell School in Dorchester. In the article, Russell discusses her innovative work designed "to create a science writing unit that called for students to think more deeply about ecosystems and to produce science writing that reflected their learning." "Go With The Flow: Fifth-grade student write about the flow of energy and matter through an ecosystem," describes how Rosa and her colleague utilized the rich opportunity and experience of their visit to the estate to develop ecological literacy through science talk and writing.
Bravo, Holly! We can't wait until the snow ALL melts so we can begin our spring field experiences!
|
 We need YOU!
In 2015, one of our goals is to build up our nascent volunteer corps. We need volunteers to help us with our events, ranging from family activities and school visits to Dogwood Days in June. We will also be training a small crew of Visitor Info Pals, so we can expand our Open Hours. For those interested in just lending a hand occasionally, we will be scheduling monthly volunteer work days starting in April. If you have some free time, and would like to get a little more involved; or are a high school student looking to log some Community Service hours, please call Erica Max at 617-333-0924x22. Attn: RESCHEDULED Volunteer Committee Meeting - Monday, February 23, 6:00 pm. All are welcome! |
|
Upcoming Events - Save these Dates!
February 23: Volunteer Committee Meeting
February 26: Stone Soup and Speaker: Apple
March 21: Backyard Homesteading: Compact Orchard
March 26: Stone Soup & Speaker: Dawn Redwood
April 30: Stone Soup & Speaker: Dove Tree
May 28: Stone Soup & Speaker: Chinese Dogwood
|
For more information about any of these programs, visit our website: www.wakefieldtrust.org or call us at 617-333-0924. |
|
|
|
|
Mary M. B. Wakefield Charitable Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Staff:
|
|
|
|
|
