BLUEBELLS at the BOWERMAN FARM in Victor

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010

Because of the "warm" spring season the Bluebells are blooming early this year. Brice Bowerman is the man with the tractor and hay wagon who will take us across the creek to see the bluebells.

Time: 10 am (or meet at 9:35 am if carpooling from the parking lot behind the Ontario County Courthouse, accessed from Sly St., off Ontario St., east off Main St. in Canandaigua.)

Directions to the Bowerman Farm: Go west from Canandaigua on Rt. 5 & 20 to 444. Right on 444N from Bloomfield to Victor. Right turn onto 96E. Left on Church which becomes Victor-Egypt Road. Right onto Gillis Rd. to the end. Left on Cline Road. 319 Cline is on the right side of the road. It is an old, white farmhouse with sloping drive. Parking is along the road.

Leaders: Brice and Nancy Bowerman

(Secretary's note: Laura will be unable to attend on May 1. If anyone would like to share photos from this event, please notify Laura at CanandaiguaBotanical@gmail.com )

Garden Path-Ology

Canandaigua Botanical Society President, Peggy Kane, introduces FLCC Horticulture Instructor, Rochelle Smith.

Rochelle Smith gave a wonderful presentation on GARDEN PATH-OLOGY with several photographic examples from the Niagara Falls area and the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Following are Laura's (rough) notes from the presentation:

GARDEN PATH-OLOGY

PURPOSE

Invite people to go somewhere, Allow or Control access to the garden (for people or wheelbarrow access?), Protect frequently traveled routes, Direct the view, Protect the gardens, Control opportunities (Patio or Path?), Offer Options (seating in shade), PLEASURE.

MATERIALS

The Beaten Path (compacted ground), Off the Beaten Path, Mulch, Turf (who will mow it? How wide is your mower?!), Wood (plastic wood), gravel, concrete pavers, natural stone pavers, asphalt, pattern stamped concrete.

DESIGN INFLUENCES

Control the views, Focal Points, Style (formal, informal)

PLANNING TIPS

Path Width, Curves (add interest/intrigue), Straight (long focal points, formal), Steps vs. Stairs, Keeping it level, Keeping it ALL level.

OTHER TIPS

Drainage around stones and pavers, Foundation!!!, Drainage around turf, drainage around mulch and beaten earth (simple path over stream), Dealing with weeds - install properly, (10% clorox)

WHO WILL USE YOUR PATH?!!?

PS: Rochelle Smith is looking for a nice 1 or 2 bedroom rental in Canandaigua beginning June/July. If you know of any rentals please contact CanandaiguaBotanical@gmail.com and Laura will pass the message to Rochelle.

Minutes from our 2010 Annual Potluck Dinner and Meeting

29 attending: Kathie & Tom Crocker, John & Marion Fladd, Betty Freese, Kelly Gilman, Margo Gilman, John Gradwick, Bob Guthrie, Sharon Horton, John Hyde, Leigh Jones, Peggy & Peter Kane, Leona Lauster, John & Lauralee Maas, Donna Middlebrook, Jean Middlebrook, Laura Ouimette, John & Mary Purdy, Brad Purdy, Joan Purdy, Peter Purdy, Beatrice & Judy Robinson, Rochelle Smith, Elizabeth Socci.

2010-2011 Programs were handed out with collection of this year's $6.00 membership dues.

Please note the following changes:
Field Trip 1. Bluebells at the Bowerman Farm in Victor will take place on SATURDAY, MAY 1st since the Bluebells may be all gone by May 8th or 9th.

Field Trip 5. Indoor Meeting about Bluebirds will start at 11 am instead of 10 am.

John Purdy reported that the Canandaigua Botanical Society had $784.26 before collection dues for this current year.

Laura Ouimette shared the Canandaigua Botanical Society photo album and meeting minutes notebook from the 2009-2010 year. Information and photos are also available here at http://Canandaiguabotanicalsociety.blogspot.com/ .

Peggy Kane shared a thank you note received from the Finger Lakes Foundation for a donation we made this past year.

Peggy Kane mentioned a consideration made by Sylvia Moore that we raise our annual dues (beginning in 2011) to $7. A motion was offered by Bob Guthrie and a second by Lauralee Maas. A vote was taken with all in favor and none opposed. A discussion followed to allow the Botanical Society to negotiate higher honorariums for speakers in the future (especially for those who are traveling from farther distances).

Peggy Kane introduced the Lagoon Park Landscape Restoration Project which we will tour on August 21st. She asked for a $100 donation to sponsor a FLCC intern under the direction of Dave DeMallie and Jim Engel. Laura Lee Maas gave a motion for the donation, Judy Robinson gave a second and the vote to sponsor an intern was passed.

A $25 donation will be made for the use of space at the Saint John's Church.

A $25 donation will be made to Wood Library for a book to be purchased in the memory of Jean Browning, a long time Canandaigua Botanical Society member.