The Garden Club of the Back Bay

Celebrate Halloween at the Clarendon Street Playground on Monday, October 31 (actual date of Halloween!) from 4 – 6, with a magic show (4:45), hayride around the neighborhood, and a spooky good time.  Be sure to wear your favorite costume.  Pizza slices, drinks and glow necklaces will be on sale for $1 each.  Marlborough Street between Berkeley and Fairfield Streets, as well as Clarendon and Dartmouth Streets between Commonwealth and Beacon Streets, will be closed to moving traffic from 5 – 9:30 to ensure safe trick or treating.  The neighborhood safe house list will be distributed at the event.  To add your house to the list, call the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay office at 617-247-3961 or email info@nabbonline.com.  Image from www.sheknows.com.

The next meeting of the Boston Urban Gardening Book Group will take place Tuesday, November 15, from 5:30 – 7:30 in Academic Building Number 3, Room 130, at Roxbury Community College.  Sponsored by the Boston Gardeners Council and The Roxbury Community College Service Learning Garden Project, the discussion will center on The Resilient Gardener by Carol Deppe. ForeWord Reviews says: ” In The Resilient Gardener, scientist and author Carol Deppe offers readers an inspiring approach to gardening. For many, gardening is a hobby-a source of solace and an experiment in self-sufficiency. Gardens are designed to offer up good things during good times-handfuls of bulbous tomatoes after weeks of careful watering, weeding, and monitoring for invading insects, for example. But what happens when gardeners-along with the rest of society-face uncertain times?

Uncertain times, caused by an unstable economy, changing weather patterns, or personal injury, result in an expanse of time when the “garden suffers because people have other priorities.” With this premise in mind, Deppe introduces the concept of resilient gardening. In Deppe’s world, gardening transcends the world of leisurely pursuit and transforms into an act of empowerment.

In twelve intensely detailed chapters, The Resilient Gardener empowers readers with the knowledge they need to design, build, and maintain gardens that can withstand intense hardship and thrive despite periods of complete neglect. The first half of the book marries the practice of gardening with emerging global issues, such as climate change, increasing attention to weight control, and the rise of food allergies. Readers must first achieve a firm grasp of how these issues intersect with the process of gardening in order to fully benefit from the hands-on guidelines provided later in the book. Deppe’s analysis is thorough; her research delves deep. By discussing the interaction between gardening and prevalent world issues, she establishes gardeners as hubs of sustainability and survival, their individual efforts producing movements of resilience that can benefit society as a whole.” For more information contact Stephanie Bostic at sb2178@gmail.com, or Karen Chaffee at karen@bostonnatural.org.

The Friends of Hayes Park invite you to Harvestfest in Hayes Park on Sunday, October 16, from 2 pm – 4 pm.  There will be painting and refreshments.  Hayes Park is located on the corner of West Canton Street and Warren Avenue in the South End.  Everyone is welcome.

Patsy Cannon Boyce, a Past President of The Garden Club of the Back Bay  has passed away at the age of 77 at her winter home in Arizona from congestive heart failure and complications from dementia.

For over twenty years, Patsy Boyce was one of the most active residents in Back Back, instrumental in the founding and growth of The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  Additionally, she served on both the Building Committee and Vestry of Trinity Church in Copley Square, and supported both the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay and  the Boston Public Library.  Her BPL Courtyard design served as a popular urban oasis for many years, prior to the most recent Library renovations.

Born in Bellingham, Washington in 1933 to George Frederick and Carolyn Ruth Cannon, Patsy traveled the world before moving to Boston in 1963. Graduating from Gonzaga University with a degree in Nursing, Patsy was one of the original flight attendants for Pan American Airways, flying on several prestigious routes for the airline, including the first commercial flight over the North Pole and on the airline’s “Royal” charters, which served leaders and monarchs around the world.

After leaving Pan Am, she was the social director on the S.S. Brazil, the same cruise ship that was later re-fitted and served as the model for “The Love Boat.” Immediately prior to marrying her husband Jim Boyce, she was then Vice President Lyndon Johnson’s personal secretary, leaving his employ in August 1963 to be married and move to Massachusetts.

According to her long time friend, Congressman Barney Frank, Patsy was a force for good as Boston’s Back Bay became the neighborhood it is today. In a recent letter, Barney writes “When you look at the revitalization of Back Bay in the 1970s and 1980s, you have to look at people like Patsy, who as the first ‘urban environmentalist’  did so much for this part of Boston.”

Armed with a graduate degree in landscape design from Radcliffe College, Patsy was involved in many of the projects that helped turn the Back Bay into what it is today, including her personal favorite, maintaining the observatory at the Webster-Ames Mansion for  owner/developer Ted Raymond.  Patsy is survived by her son, James Cannon Boyce, her two sisters, Carolyn McKinnon and Neila McNamara, her husband Joseph Sidlovsky,  two beloved grandchildren, Oliver Cannon Boyce and Phoebe Jean Ann Boyce, their mother Paris Ann Boyce and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church in Copley Square at 10:00 am, on October 1, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to  The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  Contributions may be mailed to Elisabeth Lay, Treasurer, 239 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02116, and please note on the check that the contribution is made in memory of Patsy Cannon Boyce.

Patsy Cannon Boyce

Did you know the Arnold Arboretum has been cited as the “mother arboretum” for the flowering crabapple? The Arboretum’s historically significant crabapple collection is getting some much-needed attention. Take a tour with Miles Sax, the Apprentice who is spending his tenure here documenting and renovating the glorious Malus collection on Peters Hill. The tour will take place Tuesday, October 4, from 2 – 3:30 – meet at the Hunnewell Building. In case of inclement weather, contact 617.384.5209. This activity is free, but please register at www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

Penny and Ed Cherubino over at Boston Zest have called our attention to a fabulous on-line service by Yankee Magazine.  Read how you can pinpoint areas of peak color – the map is updated every fifteen minutes! Amazing.  Link to http://www.bostonzest.com/2011/09/tracking-fall-foliage-with-yankee-magazine.html for the full story.

Shirley Nicolai, of Fort Washington, Maryland, has been named the 42nd president of National Garden Clubs, Inc.  The Garden Club of the Back Bay  is affiliated, through its membership in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, with the National Garden Clubs.  Quoting from an article published in The Washington Times, Shirley is “a former elementary school teacher who has been deeply involved in NGC-affiliated activities for more than 30 years…also recognized for her environmental activism related to aquatic ecosystems, having successfully submitted one of the first mitigation plans to satisfy Chesapeake Bay Critical Area legislation requirements.”  To read the full article, visit http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/making-change/2011/aug/7/national-garden-clubd-inc-welcomes-new-president/  We welcome Shirley and wish her much success during her two year term.

Patsy Boyce, former President of The Garden Club of the Back Bay, age 77, passed away in August in Sun City West, Arizona.  She is survived by her husband Joseph Sidlovsky and her son James Boyce.  Among her many neighborhood accomplishments, Patsy designed the courtyard of The Boston Public Library prior to its latest incarnation, and the four magnificent Japanese maple trees she acquired were removed and replanted at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.  She was also a flight attendant, and secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson.  There will be a memorial service for Patsy at Trinity Church at Copley Square on Saturday, October 1 beginning at 10 am.   We anticipate that many Garden Club members will wish to attend and pay their last respects to one of our most cherished members.  James Boyce plans to establish a fund with The Garden Club of the Back Bay in his mother’s memory, providing horticultural assistance to Boston neighborhoods with fewer resources than ours, details of which will be announced soon.  Contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to The Garden Club of the Back Bay, c/o Elisabeth Lay, 239 Marlborough Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Ben Rudnick and Friends will perform a family jam with dance at Titus Sparrow Park, 200 West Newton Street in Boston, on Wednesday, August 31 beginning at 6 pm.  Since the release of Emily Songs in 2000, Ben Rudnick and Friends have been playing family friendly music featuring instantly hum-able original songs and fun spins on well-known traditional material. Boasting a high level of adventurous musicianship, their award winning recordings contain a unique acoustic sound ranging from light folk to bluegrass, calypso, and rock.  Free and open to the public.  For more information, visit www.benrudnick.com.

Boston GreenFest on City Hall Plaza is organized by the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. As the region’s largest multicultural environmental festival, Boston GreenFest celebrates the many ways we can create a better world by greening our lives and our communities.

HOURS:
Thursday, Aug 18 5 pm – 9:30 pm
(Performers/Food)
Friday, Aug 19 noon – 9:30 pm
(Exhibitors/Food/Vendors/Performers)
Saturday, Aug 20 11 am – 8 pm
(Exhibitors/Food/Vendors/Performers)
The EcoParty Continues Every Night at the
Hard Rock Café Presented by Afrodesiacity!

- Native American Drum Ceremony
- Green Fireworks and Light Show
- Transportation Tomorrow Today!
- Over 200 Exhibitors
- 200 Live Performances
- GreenSouleStage
- Great Escape with Alexanderia!
- NOCHE LATINA
- EcoSalsa Fashion Show
- Jambalaya and Samba Dancers
- YMAA Kung Fu Demonstration
- NESA Gymnastic Presentation
- Tap Off with Boston Tap Company
- Green Entrepreneur Small Biz Forum
- EcoCafé, EcoGallery, EcoBazaar
- GreenFilmFest
- EcoFashion Pop-Up Shop
- One Gallon ChallengeTM
- EcoTimeTrail
- BPS EcoPhoto Contest
- EcoPoetry with Seitu
- Boston GreenFest Quilt

For the first time, the Boston Common’s Frog Pond, in collaboration with the Franklin Park Zoo, will hosting a Frog Appreciation Day. This celebration of the pond’s amphibious namesake is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and August 20th and will include many fun games and activities that you won’t want to miss! Face painting, story-telling, live music and frog races are just the beginning!

Franklin Park Zoo staff will be on hand to answer all your frog-related questions and will also host an interactive frog discussion session. There will even be a giveaway for children’s tickets to the zoo. Kids will have a great time while learning cool facts about frogs and the importance of protecting animal habitats.

The Friends of Hayes Park invite you to A Picnic in the Park on Wednesday, July 27, from 6 – 9 (rain date, Thursday, July 28.)  There will be live music with Wayne Potash and his Music Fun Band (below).  Hayes Park is located at the corner of West Canton Street and Warren Avenue in the South End.  The picnic will take place from 6 – 7:30.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.  Please bring dishes to share.  For more information, visit www.HayesPark.org.

The July 15 entry deadline is almost upon us – enter Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest 2011, a citywide celebration of urban gardening, generously sponsored by Comcast and the Boston Herald.  All Boston residents, businesses, or organizational gardens are eligible, as long as the gardener is an amateur.  Gardens will be judged on the basis of general appeal (natural or formal), use of color, definition, neatness, the variety and quality of plant material, and garden hardware, furnishings, and art.  Submit photo of the nominated garden to Mayor Menino’s Garden Contest, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118, along with your name, address, telephone number and email address, or apply online at www.cityofboston,gov/parks/gardencontest.  Categories:  Porch, Balcony, Deck or Window Box Garden; Shade Garden; Small Yard Garden (250 square feet or less); Medium Yard Garden (250 square feet – 500 square feet); Large Yard Garden (larger than 500 square feet); Community Garden; Vegetable or Herb Garden; Storefront, Business or Organization Garden.  Photographs or images submitted to the Boston Parks & Recreation Department become City of Boston property and may be used for press or marketing purposes.  Gardeners may only win one category per year.  For more information, call 617-961-3051.  Chitose Suzuki’s photo of South End garden below courtesy of www.townhousecenter.org.

Two Garden Club of the Back Bay members, Kaye Vosburgh and Donna Morrissey, exhibited at the Seaport World Trade Center in June as part of the World Association of Flower Arrangers.  Approximately 900 artists from around the world created memorable arrangements in over twenty classes.  Kaye’s arrangement of lilies and driftwood won a coveted ribbon from the international judging panel.  Donna’s was a two sided arrangement, as depicted in two pictures below.  Although the pictures below fail to do the works justice (lighting in the hall was dramatic but difficult to deal with), we know you will enjoy a taste of what our ladies created.

The Public Garden is annually the host to countless cultural events. This year beginning on May 21, the park is will be the setting of Susurrus: a play without actors and without a stage. The production is part radio play, part recital, part lesson in bird dissection, and part stroll in the park. Susurrus (pronounced sus-YOO-rus and referring to the rustling sound of wind in trees), is written and directed by David Leddy, a Scottish playwright known for his experimental works. In this installment of his, participants follow a map around the Public Garden as they listen to the piece on headphones; the different elements meld location and sound to create a theater experience in which there are no actors and only one member in the audience: you.

The dates of the production include: May 21, May 22, May 26, June 2, June 3, June 4, and June 5. Times will vary, with groups of four admitted every 15 minutes. The piece includes about a mile of walking on paved pathways. Headphone pickup will be on Boylston Steet between Charles and Tremont.

Tickets are on sale now at the Emerson College Arts Box Office located at 559 Washington Street. For more information, call (617) 824-8000 or e-mail tickets@artsemerson.org.

The next meeting of the Cambridge Entomological Club will be held Tuesday, May 10 at 7:15 pm in the Harvard University Herbarium seminar room.  Piotr Naskrecki will present a talk entitled Katydids of South Africa: An Exploration of a Nearly Unknown Fauna.  Piotr Naskrecki has traveled the world investigating invertebrate biodiversity, capturing beautiful images of the natural world and studying katydids.  Dr. Naskrecki will address the club to discuss his NSF-funded orthopteroid survey work in South Africa.  The talk will include a biogeographical and historical overview of the country’s katydid fauna and highlight some of the interesting species radiations that have been uncovered.  The meeting location information may be accessed at www.huh.harvard.edu/visiting/.  To see examples of Dr. Naskrecki’s work, log on to www.insectphotography.com.  His photo of a pink-eyed katydid is seen below.

We think our members will enjoy the Boston Globe article on the retirement of Henry Lee from The Friends of the Public Garden, and also the picture below of a Garden Club of the Back Bay flower arrangement by member Chris Anderson, delivered to the Friends of the Public Garden’s Annual Meeting and Reception, in honor of Henry.  The article may be found at http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/05/04/after_41_years_the_guardian_of_the_public_garden_retires/.

Boston City Services has announced the spring Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day, which this year will be held Saturday, May 7, from 9 am – 2 pm at University of Massachusetts Harbor Campus, Morrissey Boulevard. For more information, call 617-635-4500, or www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/recyclingandsanitation/hazardous.asp.

Wake Up the Earth Festival in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts is an annual festival held on the 1st Saturday of May. The festival brings together community across Jamaica Plain, Roxbury and other areas of Boston, celebrating diversity, springtime, world music and culture, youth music and culture, popular theatre, puppetry, local food and artisan vendors, non-profits around the community and so much more! The Wake Up the Earth Festival began in 1979 when a group of local neighbors and activist banded together to stop the Interstate 95 expansion into Jamaica Plain. The festival began as, and still is, a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together. A great many individuals, local artists, community groups, and schools join forces every year to make a unique community collaboration. Recent festivals have included an enchanted puppet forest, side shows, live bands, dancers, acoustic performers and a giant pageant. It begins with a parade that begins at the JP monument at 11am and turns into a day long music and art festival featuring amazing local musicians and performers, all at the Southwest Corridor Park, near the Stoneybrook T Station.