Charlottesville Newcomers Club Tours Innisfree

Happy Newcomers Club Members during tour.

Yesterday members of The Community Outreach Committee of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville took a trip out to Innisfree Village in Crozet, Virginia.  Innisfree is a wonderful 550 acre community where intellectually disabled adults (coworkers) live with full-time residential volunteers and support staff.

The Community Center

Even though it was a sweltering day, it's just a little bit cooler at Innisfree which is located near White Hall in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountain range.

Herbal Soaps wrapped in felted Lambs Wool.

We were greeted by Nancy who took us on a tour of the village and introduced us to some of the residents who were busy weaving beautiful blankets, placemats, and scarves or preparing to plant 1,000 Sweet Potato starts.  It's not all work and no play, there is a really nice pool and many residents were preparing to jump in to cool off.

A cooks dream, Bloggett Ovens.

We visited the Bakery where Granola and Bread is baked.  It's complete with two massive commercial pizza ovens.  We also toured the wood shop where beautiful handmade wooden utensils and cutting boards were being assembled.

I'm always drawn to farm animals and herbs so I enjoyed seeing the free roaming Lambs and Chicken Coops complete with lots of Chickens.

Eggs and Granola can be purchased at Rebecca's Natural Food in Charlottesville.  We toured the Herb House were soaps are made and cut flowers are bundled to resell at the local Grocery, and the smell was divine.  Residents grow crops and flowers to enjoy and also to sell (some items can be purchased online).  Innisfree is quite a busy place.

Beautiful Peonies ready for the market.

The organizational purpose at Innisfree is "...to acknowledge the reciprocal relationship between human and health and the natural environment."  I guess that's why I'm so impressed with Innisfree, the environment is respected as are the human beings.

-Rebecca

A Lesson in Botanical Photography

Jackie's Studio Loft in Sperryville.

The Gardening Group of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville took a trip to Sperryville, Virginia to hear a presentation given by Botanical Photographer, Jackie Bailey Labovitz.  Not only were we all thoroughly blown away by Jackie and her description of botanical escapades but the Studio where her artwork is housed is nearly as exciting.

 River District Arts Building.

The River District Arts (RDA) building within Rappahannock Central was once the home of a 1930's Apple Processing Plant.  RDA is now a converted Artisan Loft.  The building compound contains several interesting businesses; Artisan Studios, a Distillery, and huge Antique Store.  I was so impressed with the conversion of the Apple Plant to a beautiful open sunlit space.  This gem is a block off the main drag and is not to be missed if you are planning a drive to the Shenandoah National Forest.  Sperryville is a small town at the scenic mountain foothills convenient to Charlottesville and Washington, DC. 

Mary B. Allen - Studio work in progress.

We enjoyed perusing various works of art (coincidentally all by women) of approximately a dozen different artists, each having their own little "art stall" in which to work and display their creations.  We had prepaid for a catered lunch which was delicious and held in a beautiful space where a restaurant once operated (the owner is looking for a new restaurant to come on board).  We also were treated to coffee and snacks prior to Jackie's presentation.

Jackie describing her beloved Trout Lily Photo.

On first examination of Jackie, she appears to be a small framed conservative woman that could not possibly hike in the woods alone carrying all the heavy camera equipment necessary to produce art worthy of gallery space in the National Museum of Natural History in the Smithsonian Institution.  We soon learn that this little dynamo has figured out exactly how to capture that perfect shot with a philosophy of less is better and practice makes perfect.  Housing all her equipment in a light weight small backpack prepared to hike as far and as long as required, she produces magic on canvas.

Highlighted in her presentation was her methodology of using simple and lightweight items and that photography is more about understanding the medium and being blessed with the tenacity to see a project through no matter what the challenge.  Given she has a degree in Fine Arts, her eye for detail and perfection is an obvious part of her work.  Her process is meticulously handcrafted, starting from the shooting and down to printing on canvas at home, all of which gives her work an ethereal hand painted feel.  Earlier in her career, Jackie published a nature book on Wildlife that is glorious and her photography style has been carried over into her recent botanical art series, Understory.

Jackie's description of searching for the elusive Pink Lady's Slipper and thirteen of Thomas Jefferson's favorite Wildflowers gave listeners insight as to how much time she has devoted to her art.  Hunting down teeny pinkie sized flower buds (or no buds at all for that matter), hiking in and around forests over and over, and combating extremes in weather proved to be a challenge that I would say most people would not see through no matter what the reward.



Stoneware Toad House by Michele M. Soderman.

There is nothing I love more than a good story about flowers and photography.  It didn't hurt that a strong woman over 50 (with a good man at home for a lot of support) was the hero.  It was inspiring to hear that success has no age limits.

Jackie's work can be purchased and viewed at her studio in Sperryville and will be shown next year at the US Botanic Garden in DC and at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.

-Rebecca

Stardreamer Daylily Farm

Yesterday the Gardening Group of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville visited the gardens of Daylily collectors, Carol and Dave Sarginger. 

Stardreamer Daylilies is located in Ruckersville, Virginia just north of Charlottesville.  Tucked at the edge of the woods in a rural neighborhood and surrounding a horse pasture is an explosion of over 1,500 colorful Daylily varieties.

Carol digs up a generous portion.

Carol conducted an interesting discussion about her recent experimentation with hybridizing Daylilies and her years of cultivation and love for this plant.  Afterwards, we each headed out with our Daylily inventory price list to examine and select our favorite Daylilies.  The internet provides an easy way to purchase plants but it was so much more enjoyable to roam Carols gardens and rank your top varieties.  Carol owns what I call a "point and dig" (you point and she digs).  At one time I nearly opened such an operation but life interrupted that path (something, oh I don't know, like a JOB).  I was one of the last gardeners to leave, enjoying watching what each person selected and helping Carol a little with check out. 

Neon Flamingo, for the collector, $150.00.

Given there are 1,500 varieties to choose from, several of us toiled over which varieties we liked the best and should purchase.  In my final evaluation, I wanted a double variety but I also wanted a color that was different than the Daylilies that I already have... so.... you can never buy just one... I really had no business buying more plants... but once you get there and see all the possibilities you HAVE to buy at least one... I had my mind set to NOT BUY ANY MORE PLANTS... but what the hell... you most likely only live once... so, IN THE END... I selected a dwarf double multicolor called Two to Tango and a delicate single lavender, Moonlight Orchid.  Both are now planted in my garden right below one of my rose trellis posts and are actually blooming.

My little floriferous Two to Tango

Daylily prices range from $5.00 for some of the darling dwarf varieties and up to $250.00 for some of the rare and "knock your socks off" varieties. The marjority are priced around $10.00 - $20.00 and I always like supporting a local fellow plant lover (and it doesn't hurt that she is a Trekkie). It's is obvious Daylilies are Carol's passion as she has collected them since a teenager.  If you are in the area, this is a must Summer stop for any plant lover.  Their gardens are open on a "catch them if home" basis or by prior arrangement.

-Rebecca

Perfect Memorial Day Garden

Civil War grave, note Missing Leg.

One of the most fascinating Gardens I've ever visited is located in the historic Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Not only is there a interesting history of the Gardens but the Cemetery is the oldest Virginia Public Cemetery containing an estimated 20,000 graves.  Leaving quite an impression are the rows and rows of identical Civil War tombstones.  Lynchburg was the second largest hospital center in Virginia during the Civil War and many fallen men were buried here.

Little pink blossom on a huge Climber.

I first visited the Cemetery last Fall with the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville Gardening Group.  There was little in bloom at that time but even so I was dying (no pun intended) to return in the Spring to see the bare climbing roses and shrubs give life to the graves and grounds.  I stopped by a few weeks ago on my way to Roanoke and it just happened to be the day prior to their annual Antique Rose Festival.  There were easily 100 roses available for purchase and it took me an hour (with the help of a wonderful rose expert) to select the perfect rose for my trellis.  Fragrance #1, climber #2, mauve #3.  I ended up with a hybrid Musk introduced in 1960, Lavender Lassie and it is budding up right now and I can not wait to see it bloom!

Scatter Garden for ashes of loved ones.

The Cemetery contains graves of not only Soldiers but Slaves (many unmarked) and those unable to pay for burial.  At one time the beautiful pond was the city trash dump!  With great care there has been much work carried out at this special place to preserve and document its varied and rich history.  It may surprise you to know that this is actually a popular wedding location complete with a charming historic church that was relocated to the Cemetery.

This Monday on Memorial Day at 3 pm there will be a Confederate Ceremony (a tradition since 1866).  If you are going to be in Lynchburg, this is a MUST MUST SEE.

Volunteer

Given my volunteer history of giving for nearly 30 years, it's not surprising that I was lassoed and hog tied, along with three others, to serve on the NewComers Club of Greater Charlottesville's Community Outreach Committee.  Actually, the experience has been quite rewarding and I truly enjoy my monthly committee meeting with partners in crime, Tory (our leader) and Sylvia.

Our task is to identify one day (or less) community service projects.  Over the last year we have participated in a variety of projects (which keeps it fun and interesting).  Some tasks clerical, many super easy, others requiring a little bit of manual labor.  None requiring too much brain or back power!

Just one cart load of many that were delivered!

I was fortunate to help the Hospital Auxiliary at UVA Hospital with their annual Daffodil Day.  Each Spring, a sweet bud vase of Daffodils is distributed to every hospital patient and many reception desks.  This year nearly 500 vases were created and delivered by volunteers.  Patients at UVA come from all corners of the US.  Not everyone has someone locally to visit with them so getting a bouquet hopefully brightens their day.  I tied bows on the vases while the Hospital Auxiliary delivered.

The Bag Ladies and one Dude.

Another opportunity was to help the local Meals on Wheels program clean their food travel bags.  It's a dirty job but Keith the Volunteer Coordinator made it fun for us by giving us the official title of "Bag Ladies".  We scrubbed down 60 bags in under 1.5 hours!  They just served their one millionth meal and are the only hot meal service for our city/county.

A special upcoming project for Community Outreach is our annual trip out to Camp Holiday Trails to help prepare for Summer visitors.  We'll split up into am and pm shifts to clean, garden, and help however we can.  A camp for children with special health needs, this is truly a deserving group of our help.  If you are a newcomer, we still need volunteers to signup for this team effort next Wednesday, April 17.

The Bag Ladies gettin' down and dirty.

I'm so happy to be a very small part of this committee.  There are an unlimited number of volunteer needs in our community.  If you are new to the area, I can't think of a better way to meet people and get to know your community.  If we each give a little a lot can be done!

-Rebecca

A Riot of Color at Maymont

One Mallard among the turtles, Koi, and Geese.

Yesterday the Gardening Group of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville toured the Japanese Gardens at Maymont in Richmond, Virginia.  The garden was at the height of Spring and the day was a cool but bright sunny day.  Maymont is a Richmond treasure gifted to the City of Richmond upon the death of the original owners, The Dooley's.  Other generous gifts were given upon their death to area non-profits, an Orphanage and the Public Library being a few.

Just a small bit of the Japanese Gardens.

James and Sallie Dooley purchased a tract of farmland along the James River where they built their combined Romanesque Revival style and Queen Anne home and transformed a field into a glorious park like paradise complete with an extensive Japanese garden, waterfalls, an Italian Grotto, and formal gardens.  Sallie Dooley was the horticulturist of the two and also a Poet.  They also had their summer home built just outside of Charlottesville, the amazing Swannanoa.  There is a nearly life sized Tiffany stained glass window of Sallie at the top of the magnificent stairway at Swannonoa.  Tours are given at set times and Swannonoa has yet to be restored and has no gardens at this time.

The Formal Gardens.

The Newcomers group specifically toured the Japanese Garden and participated in a tea tasting afterwards.  All teas were Japanese green teas.  The health benefits of green, white, and yellow teas outweigh the brown and black European teas.  We were pleased to be able to taste a tea that was over $250.00 a pound and Matcha (a tea in powder form used in the Japanese Tea Ceremony).  I liked Matcha probably the best of the eight teas we tasted.

Looking up one of the mega-huge trees at Maymont.

Coming up next at Maymont on April 28th is their annual Herb Sale which has actually become a huge plant sale.  I've not yet been but have been told it is a wonderful sale - not to be missed!  Keep track of this and other gardening events on my blog --- over on the right hand side in my Garden Lovers Calender.

-Rebecca

Where has the Week Gone

It's been one of those weeks... and now it is GONE.  At the start, it had so much promise.  I was going to get the basement "vintage" assortment organized and list items in my Etsy shop and on Craigslist.

Pair of Vintage Shades for sale in my Etsy shop, ForsythiaHill.

It turns out that the search for a new pair of eyeglasses is proving to be more difficult than imagined.  Every day I hit a new shop, searching for a frame that looks good on me.  In between eyeglass searching, I did a few more things this week... 

Monday I heard Bob Woodward speak at the lovely historic Miller Center, a.k.a. The Faulkner House, a.k.a The Old Ivy Inn.  I had never been there before and discovered 19 acres of lovely grounds and a beautifully restored mansion.  Mr. Woodward's presentation was very interesting and I put a check mark in my brain to seek out his books at the library.  Later in the week when I stopped by the Recycle Center in Charlottesville and there is this wonderful trailer in the back full of discarded books!  I actually found an old book of Bob Woodward's, The Commanders.  I did the sniff test, no funky old smells and have begun reading it.  So far it is fascinating and it was FREE.

Tuesday I took a trip to Lynchburg to have lunch with the parents and Wednesday I met with my Newcomers Club Saving 101 Group.  Thursday I zipped up the 29N Bypass - yes, there already IS a bypass -- it's called Earlysville Rd - to get my hair cut and pick up some deals at PetSmart.  I had a $15.00 off coupon for $50.00 or more purchase and it really adds up when you buy bagged dog food and joint supplements.  Anyway, I saved over $30.00 with coupons.

We're staying IN - all snugglie and warm.

The week is at end and a friend ordered reserved tickets for the Fall Open House at the Fan Mountain Observatory.  It's going to be cloudy so no sky viewing but the gang wants to go anyway.  Burrr, it's beginning to feel like Winter, I just want to stay in this weekend and stay WARM. 

Off to try and list ONE item on Craigslist... we'll see if that happens.

-Rebecca

What's a Girl To Do

TODAY's DEAL

50% off the NEW Java Dragon Coffee House.  Pay $5.00 and get a $10.00 coupon.  Coffee, smoothies, local desserts, and wireless.  Sounds like a place to surf the internet "away from the stressors of home" or grab some coffee and a pastry on the go.  Next to Integral Yoga Natural Foods on Preston.  SUPPORT A NEW BUSINESS!

SATURDAY

Volunteer cleaning ears at the Clinic.

11 AM - 4 PM - September 24th - The 15th annual Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival will be held downtown in Lee Park (next to the Public Library).  This is a great festival sponsored by Voices for Animals.  Proceeds help with the Feral Cat Clinic that I volunteer with during the fall and winter months.  I will be manning the chicken booth. 

Knitters of the Newcomers "Stitch and Chat" group.

TUESDAY

10 AM - Noon - September 27 - The Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville will host their annual Fall Coffee at the Church of the Incarnation.  Any new resident to Charlottesville during the last three years is invited to attend.  This is a well attended event attracting over 100 newcomers.  Newcomers will have information about their activities and area non-profits will be on hand to answer questions about volunteering.  Great FOOD and a welcoming social.

-Rebecca

United Way Day of Caring

Today a gang of Charlottesville Area Newcomers participated in the United Way Day of Caring. 

This annual event began in 1992 to rally citizen groups to help local non-profits for just one day. 

~ 2,100 volunteers were slated to help 100 agencies.

A portion of the materials to process.

From 1 pm - 5 pm, a "subset" of the Newcomers Club helped organize materials for the Safe Schools/Healthy Students program.  Sharon, Lisa and I filed, categorized, and labeled brochures that wrapped around the hallways of the Commission on Children and Families office suite.

Newcomers Club members helped 5 different non-profit agencies today as part of the United Way Day of Caring. 

The Newcomers Club has many groups that you can participate.  The club is open to new residents to the Charlottesville area and it's a great way to get to know your community.  I serve as a volunteer for the Newcomers Community Outreach group along with Tory and Sylvia.  Our task is to identify one day projects for area non-profits and recruit volunteers within the Newcomers Club membership.

Sharon and Lisa are all smiles!  Volunteering is good for u.

The Charlottesville Area Newcomers Club is open to any new resident to the Charlottesville area in the past 3 years.  Their BIG Fall Coffee is 10 am on September 27 at the the Church of the Incarnation.  Area agencies will be on hand to discuss possible volunteer opportunities.  This is how I met several new friends so if you are new to the area and possibly feel a little lost, this is "the" event to attend!

-Rebecca

Virginia Flora Documented

Yesterday I attended a lovely presentation hosted by the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville's Gardening Group.

Lara Call Gastinger presented her botanical water color drawings and described The Flora of Virginia Project.  Lara is a local resident and also has her own Etsy shop.  She will be holding a botanical drawing seminar in April for all levels.  She has been assigned to create illustrations for 1,300 of the 3,600 Virginia species.


"Forget Me Nots" taken last summer on Forsythia Hill.



Amazingly, a book of this magnitude, listing all of the Virginia plant species was last printed in 1762.  A lot can change in 250 years!  The 1,400 page volume and corresponding electronic version is due out in 2012.



The topic that left the most meaningful impression on me was Lara's painstaking creation of a journal for a client that took her a year.  She joyously worked in the elements and all seasons to capture the plants (and a few creatures) in this one private garden.  Oh what would I give (if I had it to give) to have such an item for our homeplace in SW Virginia.  It was just fascinating.  I have written in my gardening journal for 20 years but to draw it, that's something else all together.

 

For now, I'll have to stick to my electronic gizmo and my chicken scratch.

-Rebecca

Stitch and Chat

Jane's cute finished bag.

What does one do when they have a knitting project that is 15 years old and still unfinished.  The obvious answer would be to throw it in the trash but I don't give up easily and this is another test of my "lack" of patience to see it through to the end, no matter what. 

Lovely finished quilt.

One of the many groups that one can join as part of the Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville is Stitch and Chat.  A few months ago I decided to resurrect my unfinished knitting project and trudge off to my first monthly meeting.  It can be a little daunting when you don't know the participants but the women in this group have been so kind and welcoming and you can always bury your head in your work (no matter how scary the situation is or your project).  The good thing about the Newcomers Club is that everyone there at one point was new to the Charlottesville area.

Knitters!

Stitch and Chat Group is comprised of about 15 women of varying ages stitching expertise.  There are some amazing, and I mean AMAZING stitchers in this group.  So far Lydia, Susan, and Jane have helped me with my "beginners" sweater project (which to me seems advanced) and I have only attended two meetings.


Lydia's handmade vintage dress & photos.

I was so impressed with the little beaded bag that Susan was knitting, it was incredible.  Lydia brought in a darling dress she handmade in the 60's for her daughter, that her granddaughter wore years later.  It is in pristine condition and made of lace that just isn't made like this these days.  A wonderful quilt was passed around for an examination and a crewel embroidery piece was being made for a future wedding.

I'm truly blown away at the creative talents in this group and if you are a newcomer and have an old craft project that you have yet to give up on (as I did) or just need inspiration, contact the club and check it out!

I don't give up easily and this sweater is not going to go unfinished -- no matter what the end result (ugli, backwards stitches, non-formfitting, saggy collar and all).  I'll have to wear it to a meeting when it's done and at least we can all get a good laugh out of it.

Crewel Embroidery

-Rebecca 

I must make mention of the dessert, coffee, and tea, which is a part of every Stitch and Chat session - guaranteed to be yummy!

Packing Up 2010

No blog would be complete without a year in review. 

This year proved to be filled with new opportunities and friends.  Here is a little recap of the year and the changes on Forsythia Hill, our little spot of paradise.

• Officially named our property in Charlottesville Forsythia Hill because of the groves of Forsythia that outline the area and circle our home.  It started out as a joke, giving our modest home "a name", like they give to estates in this part of the state.
• Transplanted a host of plants from Pleasant Hill (our family home and prior residence).  Black Raspberry, Catnip, Daylillies, Red Hot Poker, Daffodils, Primrose, Glads, Peony, Sweet Woodruff, Variegated
  
  Solomon Seal, Iris, St Johns Wort, Oxeye Daisy, Periwinkle, Hyacinth, and Phlox. 
• Planted 13 trees on Forsythia Hill, several succumbing to drought and heat.  Survivors include Seckel Pear, Sweet Cherry, Catalpa, Crab Apple, Viburnum, and several other shrubs.
• Reworked the vegetable patch and harvested tomatoes, peppers, kale, basil, catnip, mint, and other herbs.  Many plants grown from seed in our sunny basement windowsill.
• Found some great friends at the Vegan Meetup and Newcomers Club.



New friend Aarti from India enjoying her first EVER sandwich



• Began couponing in July and recorded saving of $1,000 for the year.  Not getting too anal about keeping track of all of it so there were even MORE unrecorded $$ saved.
• Plunged into creating Forsythia Hill Finds blog in September and crafted over 40 blog postings and over 2,000 hits.
• Opened my Etsy Vintage Shop in October and sold 10 items.
• Lost two dear pets, Daisy and Buttercream.
• Staved off EMPLOYMENT for a whole year.
• Had a really nice Thanksgiving in Roanoke.

 



In the garden on Forsythia Hill



• Ended the year with Christmas on Forsythia Hill with family and friends.

Cheers to a happy and successful 2011.

-Rebecca

Newbie's Welcome

If you are NEW to the Charlottesville area, there is a club that will welcome you with open arms!  The Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville has been in existence since 1994 and now has over 400 members.  Apparently you can stay in the club forever and many members love it so much that they have done just that!

It took me a year to attend one of the meetings and I was surprised to discover a room full of 100 newcomers!  Also at the meeting were non-profit groups from around the area (I was particularly interested in the Paramount Theatre volunteer program).  I enjoyed meeting many newcomers and a group of six of us went to lunch after the meeting.  My core "newbie peeps" continue to meet every Friday for lunch and explore Charlottesville.

There are many "groups" available to join within The Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville.  Several groups that are of interest to me are:

• Gardening Group
• Tea Group
• Coffee Group
• Saving Money 101

Other groups to join are - Bridge, Games, Book Reading, Men's Book Reading, Men's Coffee, Dining-in, Luncheons, Genealogy, Health Nuts, Golf, Tennis, Stitch and Craft, and Mah Jongg.  You can even start your own group.  Several trips are also organized each year for Newcomer members.  Memberships are $30.00 each year to join the Club.

A recent Coffee Group meeting at Maggie's lovely home, allowed newcomers to socialize.  There is always plenty of  good coffee and  food at this group meeting!  If you have been in the area for less than 3-years you can come to a few meetings and see if it is "your cup of tea".

The Newcomers Club makes it easy to meet people that are in a similar circumstance.  I have met interesting people from Florida, NY, Italy, Ohio, California, and just about every other state!  Each person has a unique story as to why they ended up in Charlottesville. 

You may be apprehensive to attend that first meeting but remember, everyone is on the same footing.  You're  new and probably don't know many people and WANT to get to know the area and people in your community.  If you're a newbie, I hope you will continue to check out my blog to see what there is to do in Charlottesville and come to a club meeting - I'm happy to show you the ropes!  The Newcomers Club of Greater Charlottesville.

- Rebecca