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October 1, 2023

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Local Life Food and Garden Notes

Adkins Arboretum’s Enchanted Fairyfest is Oct. 7

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Bring your wands, wings and magical costumes for a day of fantasy at Adkins Arboretum! Celebrating fancy and fun in the forest, Fairyfest returns to the Arboretum on Sat., Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s Fairyfest offers more outdoor magic than ever. Mix potions in a cauldron, visit a dragon’s nest and follow a trail of fairy houses along the Arboretum’s enchanted forest paths. Feel the wind in your wings on the Neverland pirate ship and sword fight with a scoundrel in the meadow. Kick up your feet in the maypole dance, try your hand at magical games and take a break for a spellbinding craft. The beloved event also includes live entertainment by Mid Shore Dance Academy, Allegra! and Ampersand.

Unicorn rides with Snapdragon Stables, delicious offerings from Beltway Bistro and Blue Monkey Street Tacos food trucks and treats from Lucky Heart Bakery and Scottish Highland Creamery will be available for sale. Don’t forget your camera for photos with the Fairy Court!

Leading up to this exciting day, all are invited to build their own fairy dwellings for The Great Fairy House Challenge. Entries will be displayed on the forest paths in the week before Fairyfest and will be eligible for awards and prizes in the categories of Golden Fairy, Most Magical, Simply Spellbinding and Enchanted Excellence. An entry form and guidelines are available at adkinsarboretum.org.

Fairyfest is $10 per person for ages 3 and up and free for children ages 2 and under. Admission is capped at 400, so early registration is highly recommended at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 0. In case of rain, Fairyfest will be rescheduled for Sun., Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fairyfest is generously sponsored in part by Chesapeake Blooms and Caroline County Council of Arts. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

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Trees, Trails & Waterways, Oil Paintings by Nancy Thomas at Adkins Arboretum

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Nancy Thomas, “Urieville Lake,” oil, 24” x 12”

With a curve of blue water winding back through a marsh or a sandy path through the dunes, Nancy Thomas’s oil paintings invite you in. The Eastern Shore’s watery landscapes are her favorite subject, and she captures the light and color of marshes, trees and curving waterways in her show, Trees, Trails & Waterways, on view in the Adkins Arboretum Visitor’s Center through Oct. 27. There will be a reception on Sat., Sept. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.

There’s a gentle feeling of peace in “Urieville Lake.” Lush trees catch the light and throw warm shadows onto its calm water while lily pads float lazily in the foreground. Created during this year’s “Paint the Town,” Chestertown’s annual plein air festival, it’s an inviting portrait of a warm summer’s day.

Plein air painting is an increasingly popular form of art whose name comes from the French for “open air” and refers to painting outdoors. But it’s more than just working at an easel in the open air. It’s a form of landscape painting aimed at capturing an intense and intimate impression of a landscape.

“I particularly enjoy the immediacy of plein air painting and the constant decision-making it entails,” Thomas said. “One has to decide what to include and what to edit out and when to commit to the ever-changing shadow patterns. During this process, I feel most alive.”

Thomas has been an avid plein air painter since she moved to the Eastern Shore from Alexandria, Va., in 1994. She regularly paints with the Plein Air Painters of the Chesapeake Bay and participates in many plein air festivals, including Plein Air Easton, Chestertown’s Paint the Town, Artists Paint OC in Ocean City and Paint It! Ellicott City. She’s a member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, the Oil Painters of America and the Working Artists Forum and has been a partner in The Artists’ Gallery in Chestertown since 2010.

Thomas has a flair for capturing momentary experiences. Her loose brushwork and strong, often surprising color choices give her paintings a lively energy and a compelling sense of discovery. Marsh grasses glow chartreuse, emerald, ochre and cinnamon brown in “Assateague Favorite View,” while pale blue water catches reflections in its rippling surface. A fleeting glimpse of sunlight glows on the angular branches of a cedar in “Last Light,” while in “Peaceful View,” late summer trees lean toward a hot, pale sun glowing in the hazy sky.

“Whatever the landscape, it is the light that determines what one will paint,” Thomas explained. “It is the attempt to capture a moment in time.”

This show is part of Adkins Arboretum’s ongoing exhibition series of work on natural themes by regional artists. It is on view through Oct. 27 at the Arboretum Visitor’s Center located at 12610 Eveland Road near Tuckahoe State Park in Ridgely. Contact the Arboretum at 410-634-2847, ext. 100 or [email protected] for gallery hours.

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“Miss Janie” Meneely Brings Chesapeake Songs & Stories to Adkins Arboretum Sept. 10

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Janie Meneely began writing songs about the Chesapeake Bay in the 1980s. She’s been at it ever since. She has performed her songs and stories about Chesapeake people, places and traditions on stages around the world—and now she’s bringing them to Adkins Arboretum in a special all-ages Chesapeake Songs & Stories program on Sun., Sept. 10.

“Miss Janie” weaves a unique tapestry of tales and songs that bring to life some of the characters of a traditional waterman’s community. Born and raised on the Chesapeake, she remembers when the Annapolis City Dock was jammed with workboats that hauled crabs, fish and oysters to markets around the Bay. “So many people come here now to revel in what the Bay has to offer, but they have little knowledge of what used to happen down on the docks,” she notes. Her remedy for that is to write songs that chronicle her own Bay experiences and capture the stories she’s heard over the years, whether as a little girl hanging around her father’s boatyard or during her professional career as a journalist.

Meneely has also spent time as a teacher, a sailmaker and a live-aboard sailor, always “on the listen” for a good story. From iconic lighthouses to tragic shipwrecks to the trials of Woolie Bear and his Bad Luck Underwear, her songs bring to life some of the characters who add spice and color to Chesapeake history. She is joined by her husband, Dutch-born guitarist Rob van Sante, who lends his knack for melodies and flair for vocal harmony to Meneely’s compositions. Together they deliver a lively and informative program suitable for ages 5 to 95.

Chesapeake Songs & Stories runs from 2 to 3 p.m. and is $10 for Arboretum members/$15 for non-members. Advance registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

New And Used Bluegrass To Headline Adkins Arboretum Beer Garden September 23

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Local beer, food trucks and music by New and Used Bluegrass are all on tap when Adkins Arboretum hosts its annual Beer Garden on Sat., Sept. 23.

New and Used Bluegrass is a must-see for anyone who loves fine musicianship, tight harmonies and fun, homegrown bluegrass music. At the band’s core are Ed Finkner and Toby Price, who have been friends since high school. Finkner plays guitar, Price plays mandolin and both sing lead and baritone. The band also includes Jon Simmons on fiddle and vocals, Bryan Irwin on bass and vocals and Martin Wirtz on banjo, guitar and vocals.

The event is family friendly and will include games, hula hoops and the opportunity to walk the Arboretum trails. Food and drink will be available for purchase, with Bull & Goat Brewery and Ten Eyck Brewing Company pulling premium craft beer and Lucky Heart Bakery, Jimmy’s Fat Rolls, Blue Monkey Street Tacos and Scottish Highland Creamery serving savory fare and sweet treats.

The Beer Garden runs from 2 to 4 p.m., with food and beer service beginning at 1 p.m. Seating is limited; bringing chairs or a blanket is highly advised. Only 400 admissions will be sold, so early registration is strongly recommended. Admission is $20 for Arboretum members, $25 for non-members, $5 for children ages 3–18 and free for children ages 2 and under. The fee increases by $5 on the day of the event. The rain date is Sat., Sept. 30. Register online at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Learn About the Glorious Insects of Goldenrod at Adkins Arboretum

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With their stunning yellow flowers, goldenrods are hallmark plants of autumn. But they do more than delight the eye. From bees and wasps to caterpillars and butterflies, goldenrods support hundreds of insects and deserve a place in our gardens. On Sat., Aug. 26, learn how these plants can add beauty and wildlife value to any landscape when Samantha Nestory presents The Glorious Insects of Goldenrod at Adkins Arboretum. The program begins at 10 a.m.

Nestory is a horticulturist and the engagement manager at Stoneleigh, a natural public garden in Villanova, Penn. While earning a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Delaware, she assisted in the lab of Dr. Doug Tallamy, author of the seminal book Bringing Nature Home. She is passionate about gardening, insects and the native plants that support them.

The 90-minute program is $10 for Arboretum members and $15 for non-members. Advance registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 100.Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

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Adkins Arboretum Offers Bus Trip to Glenstone on Sept. 28

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Located just 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., Glenstone Museum offers a contemplative and intimate setting for experiencing iconic works of art and architecture in a natural environment. Join Adkins Arboretum on Thurs., Sept. 28 for a tour of this unique cultural experience and an opportunity to explore the grounds.

Glenstone fully integrates nearly 300 acres of trails, paths, streams, meadows and forest with architecture, art and a mission of environmental stewardship. Guided by the vision of its founders, the museum assembles post-World War II artworks that trace pivotal shifts in the way we experience and understand art of the 20th and 21st centuries and presents them in stunning indoor and outdoor spaces.

Opened in 2006 as a single gallery building, Glenstone completed a major expansion of its museum facilities and landscape in 2018 to provide access to a larger portion of its collection. The centerpiece of this project is the Pavilions, a ring of gallery rooms constructed around a large landscaped water court. Illuminated almost exclusively by natural light, the Pavilions includes 50,000 square feet of exhibition space that features changing exhibitions and rooms dedicated to single-artist installations. Housing works by such artists as Katharina Fritsch, Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Barbara Kruger, Jackson Pollock and Cy Twombly, the building is itself an artistic and architectural marvel.

Outdoors, visitors will find sculptures by Andy Goldsworthy, Jeff Koons, Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller and other notable artists installed in a variety of terrain.

The bus departs from Aurora Park Drive in Easton at 9 a.m. and will stop at the Route 50 westbound/Route 404 Park and Ride at 9:20 a.m. Following a tour of the new Environmental Center, trip participants will purchase lunch in the café and have ample time to explore the grounds and galleries. The bus will leave Glenstone at 2:30 p.m. The fee is $95 for members/$115 for non-members. Advance registration is required at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

New and Used Bluegrass to Headline Adkins Arboretum Beer Garden September 23

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Local beer, food trucks and music by New and Used Bluegrass are all on tap when Adkins Arboretum hosts its annual Beer Garden on Sat., Sept. 23.

New and Used Bluegrass is a must-see for anyone who loves fine musicianship, tight harmonies and fun, homegrown bluegrass music. At the band’s core are Ed Finkner and Toby Price, who have been friends since high school. Finkner plays guitar, Price plays mandolin and both sing lead and baritone. The band also includes Jon Simmons on fiddle and vocals, Bryan Irwin on bass and vocals and Martin Wirtz on banjo, guitar and vocals.

The event is family friendly and will include games, hula hoops and the opportunity to walk the Arboretum trails. Food and drink will be available for purchase, with Bull & Goat Brewery and Ten Eyck Brewing Company pulling premium craft beer and Lucky Heart Bakery, Jimmy’s Fat Rolls, Blue Monkey Street Tacos and Scottish Highland Creamery serving savory fare and sweet treats.

The Beer Garden runs from 2 to 4 p.m., with food and beer service beginning at 1 p.m. Seating is limited; bringing chairs or a blanket is highly advised. Only 400 admissions will be sold, so early registration is strongly recommended. Admission is $20 for Arboretum members, $25 for non-members, $5 for children ages 3–18 and free for children ages 2 and under. The fee increases by $5 on the day of the event. The rain date is Sat., Sept. 30. Register online at adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Announces Botanical Art Programs

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Adkins Arboretum has announced a series of botanical art programs taught by artists Sarah Saltus, Kelly Sverduk and Judy Thomas. Offering instruction in drawing and painting, the series engages both beginning and experienced artists in capturing the details of the natural world. Programs include:

Colored Pencil with Mixed Media
Sat., Aug. 19, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sun., Aug. 20, noon–4 p.m.

Join botanical artist and educator Judy Thomas for a weekend class to expand your repertoire. Drawing from a wide variety of subjects, including succulents, flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables and roots, the class will explore combinations of colored pencil with ink, pastel and watercolor.

Botanical Drawing I
Fri., September 8, 15, 22 and 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Led by Sarah Saltus, this introduction to botanical drawing will focus on developing the skills and techniques necessary to capture the essence of flowers, fruits, pods and leaves. Form, scale, depth and perspective will be emphasized. Each student will produce a detailed botanical study in pencil.

Pumpkin & Gourd Color Pencil
Fri., Oct. 6, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Color pencils can become especially vibrant when used on a dark background. This class with Kelly Sverduk will cover the basics of drawing, layering and blending on tinted paper to create a realistic pumpkin or gourd.

Botanical Drawing II
Fri., Oct 13 and 20, November 3, 10 and 17, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

In drawing, light and shade communicate the three-dimensionality of a plant, with highlights and shadows introducing depth and form. This series taught by Sarah Saltus emphasizes the principles of light and shadow, along with techniques for adding tonal shading to graphite drawing.

Illustrated Phenology Wheel
Thurs. and Fri., October 26 and 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

A phenology wheel is a circular calendar used to record observations of the natural world. Often used as part of a creative nature journal, it can focus on a particular area, such as a garden or wetland, or chart the growth and habits of various plants and animals throughout the year. This workshop with Kelly Sverduk will walk students through illustrating a sample wheel for October and then setting up a fresh one to complete in the months ahead. Watercolor and other coloring options will be explored.

Watercolor Pencils in Nature & Travel Journaling

Wed., Nov. 8 and 15, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

If watercolor pencils sound like an intriguing best of both worlds, try them out in this workshop with Kelly Sverduk, focused on drawing in a journal. Students will compose journal pages featuring fall scenes at the Arboretum, along with detailed drawings of leaves, seeds and other natural objects, all while learning the basics of this fun and versatile medium.

Watercolor Wreath

Fri., Dec. 1, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Paint a decorative watercolor wreath featuring some of the Arboretum’s evergreens. This workshop with Kelly Sverduk will cover some watercolor basics, so it is suitable for both new and seasoned watercolor students.

Program fees vary. Enrollment is limited, and advance registration is required. Register online at adkinsarboretum.org or by calling 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Saltus earned certificates in botanical art and natural science illustration at the New York Botanical Garden, where she then taught programs in drawing, colored pencil and watercolor. She has taught and exhibited widely in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

Sverduk is passionate about making and teaching art. She holds a B.A. in studio art from Messiah College and a certificate in botanical art from the Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art and Illustration.

Thomas received her botanical illustration certificate from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where she now teaches. She has exhibited regionally, and her work was widely seen in the national, juried traveling exhibit Following in the Bartrams’ Footsteps, sponsored by the American Society of Botanical Artists.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Arboretum Announces Fall Native Plant Sale—Online!

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Prepare for fall in the garden! Adkins Arboretum, offering the Chesapeake gardener the best selection of landscape-ready native plants for more than two decades, announces its Fall Native Plant Sale. All proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s rich catalog of education programs that teach about the Delmarva’s native plants and their connection to a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

To ensure the best-quality plants, sales will be conducted entirely online. Orders will be accepted Thurs., July 27 through Thurs., Aug. 17 at adkinsarboretum.org and will be fulfilled via timed, scheduled pickup in early September. There will be no in-person shopping at the Arboretum.

Native asters are the stars of the pollinator garden from late summer through fall. Photo by Kellen McCluskey.

Fall is the best season for planting, and the Arboretum offers the Chesapeake region’s largest selection of ornamental native trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns and grasses for the fall landscape. Many native plants produce seeds, flowers and fruit in fall that attract migratory birds and butterflies. Brilliant orange butterfly weed and stunning red cardinal flower attract pollinators to the garden, while native asters add subtle shades of purple and blue. Redbud and dogwood dot the early-spring landscape with color, and shrubs such as chokeberry and beautyberry provide critical habitat for wildlife.

As always, Arboretum members receive a generous discount on plants that varies according to membership level. To join, renew your membership or give an Arboretum membership as a gift, visit adkinsarboretum.org or contact Kellen McCluskey at [email protected].

For more information on plants, purchasing or pickup procedures, visit adkinsarboretum.org, send email to [email protected] or call 410-634-2847, ext. 100.

Adkins Arboretum, a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County, provides exceptional experiences in nature to promote environmental stewardship. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Adkins Mystery Monday: What Native Herbaceous Perennial Produces Purple Berries?

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Happy Mystery Monday! What native herbaceous perennial grows 4 to 10 feet tall and ultimately produces purple berries?

Last week, we asked you about yarrow (Achillea millefolium)! Yarrow can stand anywhere from 1 to 3 feet tall. It has large, compact clusters of white to pinkish-white flowers (though there are many cultivars with a wide variety of colors). The leaves are very distinct with a feathery and lacy appearance. Yarrow is often found in meadows and old fields. At Adkins, you’ll find them prominent in some of the cultivated gardens, as well as the landscape. This plant has a variety of ethnobotanical and medicinal uses and also serves as a host plant for many insects. Some studies also suggest that by incorporating yarrow in their nests, birds can inhibit parasites.
#adkinsarboretum #mysterymonday #yarrow #nativeperennial #hostplant #mysteryplant #carolinecounty

Adkins Mystery Monday is sponsored by the Spy Newspapers and Adkins Arboretum. For more information go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.