Mid-Shore Life

ADKINS ARBORETUM TO SPONSOR MAGIC IN THE MEADOW—A TWILIGHT CABARET, SEPT.18

Adkins Arboretum promises an enchanted evening when it hosts Magic in the Meadow—A Twilight Cabaret, a dazzling event to benefit the Arboretum's conservation programs. As twilight falls from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 18, guests will mingle in the meadow, surrounded by the Arboretum's 400 acres of majestic native gardens, wetlands, forests and streams.

The evening will feature the music of the incomparable Stef Scaggiari, sumptuous multicourse small plates and hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, delicious local wines from Cassinelli Vineyards and Winery, and dancing to the music of Dan Saunders.

Magic in the Meadow guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique items during the live and silent auctions taking place throughout the evening. Items range from fine wines to art, private parties and dinners, and custom travel packages to stunning destinations.

by Cyndi Paxton Johnson

Almost every Spring I succumb to the allure of Earth, warmth and bounty. I buy endless seeds and plants, I dig beds, fertilize, and plan. I'm always so proud when the sprouts poke through the earth, announcing the plentiful abundance of things to come.

From there things go downhill for me. Some years, I don't transplant quickly enough, and the sprouts crumple like ice cream on a hot sidewalk. Other times I manage to transplant - but weather or birds quickly destroy my fledgling sprouts. Sometimes they just flatly refuse to grow (other times I forget they need regular watering - SHHH!).

This year I knew the deer and rabbits would attack my garden like hungry children after a birthday cake. I delayed my planting until we had installed a protective fence around the majority of my garden. I replanted my seedlings, added more fertilizer and watered every morning. Finally - I was going to have a bumper crop!!! I'd planted enough tomatoes and peppers to ensure we'd have salsa all year thru! (I lost a few plants to the construction workers, who dumped a load of dirt on them!)

And then I recalled that my husband ALWAYS refers to my spring planting frenzy as "the annual immediately to the gardening gods".  First, my lovely tomatoes are all ROTTEN on the bottom. (I'm told I watered a bit TOO frequently). No problem - I'll stop watering everyday - and the REST of the tomatoes will be wonderful!

August 17, 9am-noon, Environmental Concern Wetland Education Center and Campus, St. Michaels , Call 410 212-9320 for price.

Sumi-e is a type of traditional Chinese painting using black ink. Many painters throughout Chinese history were inspired by wetlands and the animals that inhabit them. This camp will give kids and opportunity to experience this inspiration themselves by trying the traditional eastern approach to painting wetlands animals and water while learning about the amazing animals and characteristics of them.  Traditional Chinese painting media, such as the bamboo brush, sumi-e ink, rice paper and suzuri inkwell will be demonstrated. With most of the camp held on the banks of Environmental Concern’s wetlands, there will be many opportunities to paint beautiful wetlands scenes inspired by eastern painting styles and Chinese painting tradition. RSVP required by calling 410 212-9320. 

 June 26, 1-4pm, July 24*, July 25, 1-4pm, Claiborne, $40 per/s,            (*class rescheduled for Plein-air Easton Event)

Young artists in this class will learn the eastern approach to nature and seascape painting. Chinese painting tools, such as the bamboo brush, sumi-e ink, rice paper and suzuri inkwell will be used to make beautiful monochrome seascapes! Call 410 212-9320 for exact location and to RSVP.  Visit http://outsideartlessons.com/summerwonderwkshps.aspx for more information.

June 28-30, 1-4pm, July 26-28, 1-4pm, Claiborne, $100 per/s,materials incl.

Sailboats, sea nettles, sand, seashells and more will be explored through art in this fun three day workshop at the Claiborne pier and beach! Young artists from 8-14 years will have opportunities to observe the life and life forms on the Chesapeake while learning how to draw and paint them. Artists will have opportunities to draw, and paint with a variety of media and learn techniques from a professional artist. Call 410 212-9320 to RSVP and for exact location. 

June 21, 5:30-sunset , Claiborne, $40 per/s

Come and see the best sunset views of the Chesapeake through the eyes of an artist! This fun outside art workshop will teach participants from all ages and artistic levels how to "see like an artist," compose a painting, work with colors and use professional painting techniques to create an original sunset seascape painting. This class is multi-level and can be taken by children, and families. Group discounts available.  Call 410 212-9320 to RSVP and for exact location.  

*Call to schedule, other dates available!

Young artists, ages 8-13, will learn the traditional eastern approach to nature and seascape painting in this outdoor class in Claiborne.  Students will learn about traditional Chinese painting media, such as the bamboo brush, sumi-e ink, rice paper and suzuri inkwell. Each young artist will have opportunities to create beautiful nature scenes and seascapes inspired by eastern painting styles and Chinese painting tradition. Actual class on May 23, 1-4pm $30, materials included. RSVP required by calling 410 212-9320. Registration information at http://outsideartlessons.com/artwrhshpkids.aspx

Adkins Arboretum’s native plant nursery opening weekend sale will be Sat. and Sun., May 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arboretum Visitor’s Center in Ridgely, Md. Come early for the best selection of plants. The sale benefits the Arboretum’s education programs and affords the public an opportunity to learn about the Delmarva’s native flora. Following the sale weekend, the Arboretum nursery will be open to the public during the growing season, weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Plants for sale will include a broad selection of flowering trees and shrubs, perennials, ferns, vines and grasses for spring planting. Native flowers and trees provide food and habitat for wildlife and make colorful additions to home landscapes, whether in a perennial border, a woodland garden or a restoration project. Tall spikes of purplish flowers grace blue wild indigo, while native honeysuckle entices hummingbirds. Cardinal flower, ferns and Joe-pye attract frogs, butterflies and dragonflies, and native azaleas present a veritable rainbow of bloom colors.

The Arboretum is participating in Maryland DNR’s special native tree discount program. For any native tree valued at $50 or more, shoppers will receive a $25 discount.

Adkins Arboretum is offering a full slate of education programs for spring, from tree and meadow stewardship programs to poetry readings and workshops to a full complement of crafts sessions. Programs include:

The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession
Tuesday, May 4, 4–5 p.m. with a reception to follow
Fee: $15 members, $18 general public
In this beautifully illustrated talk, Andrea Wulf tells the story of a small group of 18^th-century naturalists that made England a nation of gardeners. Friends, rivals and enemies, their correspondence, collaborations and squabbles make for a riveting human drama set against the backdrop of the emerging British Empire and America's magnificent forests. As botany and horticulture became a science, the garden became the Eden for everyman.

From the Tree’s Perspective
Wednesday, May 5, 10–11:30 a.m.

Fee: $10 members, $15 general public
Richard Murray will introduce the concepts of tree function and defense from the tree’s perspective. He will provide an overview of the basics of tree biology and how trees influence ecological associations and processes. Using samples and a hands-on approach, he will discuss how we can improve our efforts to establish and preserve trees.

Opportunities Available in Variety of Programs