The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn
Summer 2013
Annual Kitchen Tour a Summertime Treat
The 2013 Merryspring Kitchen Tour takes place on Wednesday, August 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This popular summertime event, Merrysprings major fundraiser of the year, features eight beautiful home kitchens with a gourmet tasting from a talented local chef at every stop. This years kitchensfrom historic restorations to scenic waterfront homesshow you what creative homeowners can do, together with skilled designers, builders, and craftspeople. The chefs at work in each kitchen give you a sampling of the remarkable, ever-expanding dining choices available in our midcoast area. Give yourself plenty of time to visit all the kitchens, but go in any order and at your own pace.

Save $10 with advance tickets. If you buy your tickets before the day of the Tour, ticket prices are $25 for the whole day. On the day of the Tour, you can purchase a ticket for $35 at any of the kitchens, or at Merryspring Nature Center. You can also purchase a ticket for an individual kitchen for $10

One of the eight kitchens on the 2013 Kitchen Tour

Advance tickets are available at any of the following locations: Surroundings, Once a Tree, Party Fundamentals, or Stonewall Kitchen in Camden; The Market Basket in Rockport; Atlantic Baking Company in Rockland; Hope General Store in Hope; The Good Table in Belfast; and Treats in Wiscasset. Advance tickets are also available by e-mailing Merryspring at info@merryspring.org or calling 207-236-2239. These tickets will be held at Merryspring for pick-up the day of the Tour. All proceeds from the Kitchen Tour support Merrysprings park and gardens and its year-round nature and environmental education programs. This years Tour is generously sponsored by EBS Style Solutions of Camden, and co-sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank of Belfast, Rockport, and Rockland. (see page 7 for more Kitchen Tour Info)

New Logo Designed for Kitchen Tour

Local artist Anne Kilham of Rockport designed our colorful new Kitchen Tour logo that is being used for the first time this year. It was time to retire the teapot as our logo, said Dorothea Graham, a long-time member of the Kitchen Tour committee. I asked Anne if she would be willing to draw a new one, and she gladly said yes. Annes design a colorful, tasteful combination of culinary items adorns all of our Kitchen Tour materials this year, and will grace our Tour for years to come. Thank you, Anne.

Logo Quiz

Do you know the name of the tall wooden kitchen utensil in the blue-and-white pitcher at the center of our new logo? See page 7 for the answer.

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Merryspring Nature Center

P.O. Box 893, Camden, ME 04843 Tel: (207) 236-2239 Fax: (207) 230-0663 Email: info@merryspring.org www.merryspring.org

Presidents Message

Inside this issue:

Kitchen Tour New Logo Presidents Message Park Etiquette Fairy Festival Education Calendar Busy Spring & Summer Tierra Club Projects Count Your Blessings Moose of a Difference Kitchen Tour Info Merryspring Reservations 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8

Many Benefits of Being A Merryspring Member

By Ray Andresen

Mission Statement
Merrysprings mission is to practice, teach, and advocate sound principles of ecology, conservation, and horticulture in order to protect our natural environment and to provide natural landscapes and cultivated areas for public enjoyment.

My wife and I recently used our Merryspring membership card to gain free admittance to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay through the American Horticulture Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program. Every member of Merryspring can benefit from this Reciprocal Admissions Program. As a Merryspring member, your membership card entitles you to free admittance at more than 270 botanical gardens, arboreta, or conservatories in the United States, Canada, the Cayman Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. So, if you travel and enjoy visiting botanical gardens and conservatories, be sure to check the list of participating gardens, which can be found on the American Horticulture Society's website in its online directory. To download a quick reference list of all participating gardens, click here. And, if you plan to visit any of the participating gardens, including the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, remember to take along your Merryspring membership card for free admittance. Of course, there are many other tangible and intangible benefits to being a Merryspring member. Theres the free admission to our Tuesday Talk series and the free or discounted admission to our many other programs and workshops. In addition, theres the member discount on gift shop items and early entrance to our annual Plant Sale and Holiday Bazaar. But perhaps the biggest benefit of being a Merryspring member is the knowledge that you have helped support and sustain a 66-acre nature park and education center that is open for the public to enjoy every day of the year. If you would like to become a Merryspring member, or have misplaced your membership card, please contact the office at 236-2239 for assistance.

Hours of Operation
The park is open free of charge from dawn to dusk every day of the year. Our offices and library are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.

Park Etiquette
Merryspring Nature Center is a private, member-supported nonprofit nature park and education center that is open free daily to the general public. For your own enjoyment and safety, and to protect and preserve the park, please follow these simple rules: Stay on the paths or lawns and do not step in the flower beds. Leave all plants, flowers, and wildlife undisturbed. Dispose of trash properly. Park in designated areas only. Enjoy your picnic, but no cooking please. Footwear must be worn at all times. No admittance from dusk to dawn. No smoking in the buildings or on the grounds. No bicycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, or other recreational vehicles are allowed on trails, lawns, or fields. No hunting or trapping is permitted. No dogs, except service dogs, are allowed anywhere in the park.

Membership Fees
Individual Family Business $35 $50 $50-100

Keeping in Touch
You can sign up for our eUpdates at www.merryspring.org to receive the latest news on programs and events. Or you can visit Merrysprings Facebook page, where you can check on upcoming events. Go to www.tinyurl.com/merryspringfacebook/.

Board of Trustees
Ray Andresen, President Glenn Jenks, Vice President Richard Ailes, Treasurer Frank Callanan, Secretary Kathleen Kull Karin Rector Susan Shaw Matthew Speno

How to Leave a Lasting Legacy at Merryspring

Merryspring has a permanent Endowment Fund to ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy the wonders of nature being exhibited and taught at your Nature Center. If you would like to make a bequest that will increase this fund, please consult your financial and legal advisors on what method will be in your best interest and will fulfill your wishes. For more information, please call us at (207) 236-2239 or send an email to info@merryspring.org.

Staff
Toni Goodridge, Administrative Mgr. Brett Willard, Program Mgr. Brijin Thomas, Garden Mgr. David Cadbury, Property Mgr.
2013All Rights Reserved

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Summer Fairy Festival A Huge Success

More than 150 people, including at least 80 young children, attended Merryspring's first Summer Fairy Festival on Saturday, June 22. In commemoration of International Fairy Day, this free event featured a variety of family-and fairy-friendly activities and crafts. Guests built their own accessories for fairy gardens, designed wildflower seed packets, and created magic wands out of natural materials. Dancing fairies and winged sprites filled the park with laughter and delight. As an added treat, local author and fairy expert Liza Gardner Walsh read from her new book, The Fairy Garden Handbook. Well definitely have to do this again next year, said Program Manager Brett Willard. I was amazed by how many just seemed to appear out of nowhere.

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SUMMER TUESDAY TALKS

Co-sponsored by Jaret

& Cohn and Camden National Bank

Talks begin at noon

August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27 September 3 September 10 September 17 September 24 October 1

Tending the Perennial Garden in August Wendy Andresen Woodchuck Social Behavior Chris Maher Food Preservation with Lacto Fermentation Ana Antaki The Herb Garden at Merryspring Nancy Jackson Tending the Perennial Garden in September Wendy Andresen Geological History of Maine Woody Thompson Endangered Species of Maine Charlie Todd Local Tofu and Sustainable Food Jeff Wolovitz Tending the Perennial Garden in October Wendy Andresen

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
Sponsored by Camden

Real Estate

All workshops are on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required.

August 24

Seed-Saving Brijin Thomas and Diana Chapin Learn how to save and store seeds for planting. Class limited to 12. Members $5; non-members $10 Canning Workshop Nadine Reimer Note time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your choice of fresh vegetables or fruit to learn about food preparation, sterilization techniques, and preserving your food. Members $20; non-members $25. Seed Swap Exchange your seeds and ideas for next years planting. FREE Fall Foraging Tom Seymour Walk the the Merryspring grounds in search of edible, wild plants with a wild food expert. Hear recipe ideas and taste the findings in this popular workshop. Limited to 20 participants. Members $5 or non-members $10. Fall Pruning Tom Jackson Learn the importance of pruning. Watch Tom demonstrate on a variety shrubs and trees. Members free; non-members $5.

September 7

September 28 October 5

October 19

FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Free on Sundays from 1-3 p.m. August 11 August 25 Terrariums & Herbariums Learn how to press plants and flowers for your very own herbarium a plant collection! Fort Building & Fairy Houses Come and build your own secret fortress in the forest, or construct a tiny home for forest dwellers.

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Its Been A Busy Year at Merryspring

Weve had a tremendous number of school groups and other young visitors coming to Merryspring this spring and summer, as you can see by the pictures on this page. Clockwise, from top left, are Wolf Cubs from Cub Scout pack 200 learning about Leave No Trace camping methods with program manager Brett Willard; a class from Warren Community School listening to garden manager Brijin Thomas talk about how she takes care of the gardens; members of the 2013's Children's Garden Club learning about pollination from Brett Willard; and the third grade class from Warren Community School getting ready for their field trip.

Tierra Club Making Progress on Trails

The Tierra Club volunteers outfitted Merrysprings Interpretive Trail on Saturday, July 27. Teams of three installed markers to provide continuous, four-season, line-of-sight orientation through the woods and fields along the trail's entire length. The Interpretive Trail is an educational initiative that highlights six environmental features found in the park. The focus of this educational effort is the effect of human interactions in the natural environment in order to identify and promote "best practices." Additional features will be added in later phases. The Tierra Club is Merryspring's group of trail maintenance volunteers, and you are invited to join. Loosely based on the model of the Sierra Club, the purpose of the Tierra Club is to perform trail maintenance and improvements in support of Merryspring's mission and programs. In the past year, Tierra Club volunteers have cleared overgrowth from several sections of trail, cleaned up winter downfall in the areas of the Merry Spring and Vernal Pool, burned several large brush piles, rebuilt a foot bridge, and more. With many volunteers, a few hours effort goes a long way. There will be one more summer work day in August. If youre interested in helpin g out, please contact Frank Callanan (236-3807) or Brett Willard (236-2239).

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Kitchen Tour Supports Public Gardens, and So Much More

By Lynette Walther Sometimes you just have to count your blessings. And when it comes to calculating the reasons to be thankful that we have a facility like Merryspring Nature Center right here in Camden well the numbers are innumerable. Of course there are the gardens that rival that of any botanical park with annual and perennial beds, an herb garden, a rose garden and a daylily garden sponsored by Maine Daylily Society. For area gardeners there simply isnt a better resource and foun t of inspiration. Enhancing those gardens are the various programs, lectures and activity days presented throughout the year for every member of the family. Childrens programs include a Children's Garden Club and many themed events such as International Fairy Festival Day, nature identification hikes and scavenger hunts, childrens nature art days, terrariums and herbariums as well as fort building and fairy houses. Whether it is gardening, plants, nature study, wildlife and natural science, environmental issues, cooking, crafting, art and more you are sure to find what you are looking for in one of the centers events. And the 66 -acre park and education center (which contains an extensive botanical library for research), with its gardens and some four miles of nature trails, are open to the public, free of charge, every day. Merryspring Nature Center was established in 1974 by noted horticulturalist Mary Ellen Ross and the organizations mission is to Practice, teach and advocate sound principles of horticulture, ecology and conservation in order to protect our natural envi ronment. The facility relies on donations, program fees and fund-raising events like the upcoming annual Kitchen Tour, which is Wednesday, Aug. 7. This important annual fundraising event is your chance to see eight beautiful kitchens in Camden, Rockport, and Hope, including several waterfront properties and some historic homes. At each home there are samplings of the cuisine of a local chef. Not only does this unique event give you the opportunity to visit lovely private homes that showcase the creative work of local architects, designers, artisans and landscapers, your ticket helps to support Merryspring Nature Center and all it does for your community. The annual Kitchen Tour is a great outing with friends and houseguests, and your attendance helps to ensure many more years of pleasure, inspiration and education at Merryspring Nature Center.

Merryspring Talk Makes a Moose of a Difference

A year ago Lee Kantar of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife gave an interesting, informative talk at Merryspring on the deer and moose population in Maine. In return, Merryspring presented Lee with a $100 honorarium that, as you will see in the following excerpts from a letter we received from him, turned into a huge moose call. It is with great pleasure that we write to announce that the 47 th North American Moose Conference and Workshop was held May20-24 in Whitefield, NH. By all accounts it was a smashing success! Your generosity was integral in helping us provide a truly outstanding conference that showcased the incredible moose resource in northern New England and the professional state wildlife management agencies of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The positive feedback has been overwhelming and we share this recognition with you The daily attendance was (greater than) 100 The organizing committee deliberately provided the highest number of travel awards ever, and we were rewarded by unprecedented graduate student attendance and participation. There were 38 scientific presentations and two special sessions with expert panels that highlighted major management issues: (1) Moose Browsing and Forest Regeneration and(2) Diseases and Parasites. Moose are in trouble in so many jurisdictions, and the 47th North American Moose Conference highlighted these issues and cooperative research efforts are already in the works as a result of the meeting Attendees traveled from Alaska to Scandinavia, and our Distinguished Moose Biologist of 2011, Professor KjellDanell of Swede n, who gave a keynote address, donated his entire travel award ($1800) to help ensure high student participation at next years conference in Alaska. His generosity was stimulated, in part, by your generosity, which we showcased in a poster that was viewed by all as they walked into the Conference room. This Conference epitomized what many working together can accomplish, and we extend our sincerest gratitude for your generosity.

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Kitchen Tour Information

This years g racious hosts and talented chefs are:
1 LINDA & CHRIS PEARSE, THE PEARSE FAMILY FARM, 662 BARNESTOWN ROAD, HOPE CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Hatchet Mountain Publick House, Hope CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Inn at Sunrise Point, Camden 2 B R OO K S CR AN E & W E B ER ROB E RT S , 925 BARNESTOWN ROAD, HOPE CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Blue Sky Cantina, Rockport CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): The Conscious Kitchen, Camden 3 DA V ID DI CK E Y , RE D C HIMN E Y S, 2 CENTRAL STREET, CAMDEN CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): 40 Paper, Camden CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): French & Brawn, Camden
Raffle at this stop -- win a dinner at Francine Bistro, Camden, OR Shepherd's Pie, Rockport!

Special Treat: See the Hope Elephants

Merryspring has made special arrangements with Hope Elephants for tour-goers who plan to start or finish this years Kitchen Tour in Hope. If you want to see Rosie and Opal (the Hope elephants), you can attend a special presentation with them at 9:00 a.m. or 3 p.m. by calling ahead at 230-7830 for reservations. There is a suggested donation of $15 per adult. The facility is at 49 Hatchet Mountain Road in Hope.

4 B ET T IN A DO U LT ON , 19 SEA STREET, CAMDEN CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Hartstone Inn, Camden CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Megunticook Market, Camden 5 M AU R E EN & RI C K M O RS E , 40 PASCAL AVENUE, ROCKPORT CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Laura Cabot Catering, Waldoboro CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Cappys Bakery, Camden
Door prize at this stop--win a basket of Stonewall Kitchen gourmet foods!

6 M AR J ORI E & B I L L B EL L , 60 EASTWARD, ROCKPORT CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Starlight Custom Cakes, Rockport CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Caf Miranda, Rockland 7 DONNA & GREG KNOWLTON, 75 EASTWARD, ROCKPORT CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): FOG Bar & Caf, Rockland CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Vincents at the Whitehall Inn, Camden 8 M AR YB ET H & S T E VE P UL L UM , 26 EASTWARD, ROCKPORT CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): The Market Basket, Rockport CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): The Highlands Coffee House, Thomaston

Logo Answer (from Wikipedia)

Its a spurtle. The spurtle (or "spirtle") is a Scots kitchen tool, dating from at least the fifteenth century. It was originally a flat, wooden, spatula-like utensil, used for flipping oatcakes on a hot girdle the Scottish equivalent to a griddle. Over time, the original implement changed shape and began being used specifically for stirring oatmeal and soups.

Kitchen Tour Supporters

FRIENDS OF THE TOUR David E. Olivas, DDS, Rockport

Generous contributions from Supporters of the Kitchen Tour, many of whom have their excellent services and products on display in the kitchens, are an invaluable source of support for Merryspring. Please help us thank these supporters with your patronage.
Silverio Architecture & Design, Lincolnville Stephen G. Smith Architects, Camden BUILDERS Cold Mountain Builders, Inc., Belfast Maine Coast Construction, Corp., Camden McCormick & Associates Builders, W. Rockport Phi Home Designs, Rockport Vision Builders, Inc., W. Rockport CABINETS Bench Dogs Inc., Rockland Cornerstone Kitchens, Northport Crestwood Kitchens, Rockport Dream Kitchen Studio, Rockland DESIGN/DECORATING Chatfield Design Fine Interiors, Judith Grossman Decorating, Rockport Mike Farmer, Farley & Son Landscaping, Rockport The Harley Company, Rockport SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS 17-90 Lighting Showroom, W. Rockport FixturesDesigner Plumbing Showroom, Rockland Lighting Concepts, Lewiston Once a Tree, Camden Rankin's Hardware & Building Supplies, Camden Rockport Steel, Rockport Seacoast Security, Inc., W. Rockport Surroundings, Camden The Good Table, Belfast The Well Tempered Kitchen, Camden Viking Lumber, Inc., Belfast, Lincolnville, Warren Windsor Chairmakers, Lincolnville

*Francine Bistro, Camden *Shepherds Pie, Rockport

Stonewall Kitchen, Camden APPLIANCES Agren Appliance & Television, Waldoboro Kelseys Appliance and Sleep Center W. Rockport ARCHITECTS Dominic Paul Mercadante Architecture, Belfast John Edward Gillespie Architect, Camden Maple Street Design Studio, Camden Peter T. Gross Architects, PA, Camden Scholz & Barclay Architecture, Camden

* Margo Moore Interiors, Camden

New View Studio, Rockport Valliere Design Studio, Thomaston FINISHES/MASONRY A. E. Sampson & Son, Ltd., Warren Distinctive Tile & Design, Rockland Freshwater Stone, Orland Mid-Coast Masonry, Windsor North Atlantic Painting Co., Camden Smith & May, Inc.Hearth & Patio Showroom, W. Rockport Stonescape Masonry, Inc., Washington LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE/ DESIGN/INSTALLATION Lee Schneller Fine Gardens, Camden Treekeepers LLC/Johnson's Arboriculture, Camden

* Thank you very much for your extra support.

P.O. Box 893 Camden, ME 04843

Reserve Merryspring for Your Event

Remember to think of Merryspring when you or your friends are planning a wedding, memorial service, meeting, or other event. Each year several weddings, receptions, and meetings take place at Merryspring. Conveniently located yet away from the noise and bustle of the towns of Camden and Rockport, Merryspring offers stunning gardens and an outdoor hexagon perfect for small ceremonies. A well-tended lawn bordered by flower beds filled with spectacular color from June through September will accommodate a tent for up to 200 guests.