A Sense of Wonder Sundays-Winter Solstice: The Return of the Sun by Coreen Weilminster, Children’s Program Coordinator

They blew in with the wind...all 17 of them, bundled to the brim against the biting chill -- four families arriving for an afternoon at the Arboretum. A Sense of Wonder Sundays, a new program for families, enticed them out into the bitter cold. The topic of the program this day was the Winter Solstice. The group, with ages ranging from 2 to middle-aged, came to learn about how ancient rites celebrating this day have shaped our current holiday traditions.

Heralding the first day of winter, the Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. To ancient people whose lives were intimately fixed to the seasons, this day was a significant turning point: the day that marked the return of the sun. After the Winter Solstice, the days begin to lengthen, the nights to get shorter.

Among the topics of discussion: the science of the shortest day , holiday traditions such as feasting, the use of evergreens, gift giving and caroling with their beginnings rooted in the ancient celebrations for a returning sun. We discussed the traditional Christmas carol The Holly and the Ivy, significant in its origins in the celebration of the Winter Solstice, having maintained its ancient acknowledgement of the sacred plants used in celebrations and also adapting to include the traditional English and Christian rites of the Holiday season.

The group also braved the blustery bright day to hunt the Arboretum grounds for the sacred plants used in ancient rites celebrating the Winter Solstice. We hunted for evergreens, Holly, Oak, and Mistletoe. The families easily found many species within the visitor center gardens. Evergreens they found included Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Loblolly and Virginia Pines. Hollies were both evergreen and deciduous; Inkberry (Ilex Glabra), American Holly (I. Opaca), and Winterberry Holly (I. verticillata). Oak’s included Pin Oak (Quercus paulustrus) and Willow Oak (Q. phellos). We walked a bit further to the entrance of the Arboretum to find the Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens) which grows in the branches of the River Birches which grace the entry to the grounds.

We broke for a brief lunch and resumed the program with another hike in the icy wind, this time to the Arboretum nursery to make natural ornaments for each person to take home. The ornaments, a tradition of the Arboretum, are made for the all-weather feathered ones who live here. Using pinecones, cranberries, raisins, peanut butter and birdseed, the families worked together creating “icicles,” tiny wreaths, and pinecone birdfeeders. Once we returned to the Visitor Center, the children and the parents gathered around the Arboretum’s Christmas tree at the outside entranceway, and placed similar ornaments (made earlier in the week by the Arboretum’s talented docents and volunteers) on the tree. We sang a “light” version of “Oh Christmas Tree” at the end and returned indoors for mulled cider, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.

Throughout the day, I kept thinking about the lyrics from “Over the River and Through the Woods,” specifically the line “Oh how the wind does blow. It stings the toes and bites the nose, as over the ground we go.” Despite the bitter wind, there was a warmth about this day – families sharing their time together, making memories, and creating gifts for the critters that live among them as they contemplated the significance of the holiday traditions rooted deeply in observing and celebrating the earth.

The Shortest Day

Susan Cooper

So the shortest day came, and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive,

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us - Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, fest, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Welcome Yule!!

A Walk of Words: Poetry in the Forest with Docent Lynn Lang

“A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” --Anon

So began Adkins Arboretum docent Lynn Lang’s autumnal guided walk, which took place on Saturday, November 29th. Like many of us, Lynn finds inspiration in the forest. How better to share this inspiration than with the words of poets?

Crisscrossing the winding course of the Blockston Branch, now scattered with leaves in rich hues of scarlet, gold, and chestnut, walkers enjoyed a chance to slow down and meditate on the beauty around them. The silence was broken only for stops at various Arboretum landmarks: a slice of stream spanned by a leaf-strewn bridge, a stand of Virginia pine bristling with pinecones, a golden edge of meadow.

Rather than speak of the landmarks themselves, Lynn used the words of others to paint related images for her listeners. Quoting Eric Pinder on the Upland Path, Lynn recited in her gentle voice, “She calls it ‘stick season,’ this slow disrobing of summer, leaf by leaf, till the bores of tall trees rattle and scrape.” One walker commented that such words helped her to notice isolated things, like the freefall of a single leaf to the forest floor. Another admitted that while she usually spends lots of time looking down at the ground on forest walks, on this walk she was able to “look out and around.”

The walk ended on a light tone, with Lynn sharing a haiku by B. Cybrill:

When the bold branches
Bid farewell to rainbow leaves—
Welcome wool sweaters.

Margan Glover, a fellow Arboretum docent and participant in the poetry walk, enthused later, “I was so moved…that I had to go back after we finished and enjoy further the perfect leaf that was sitting on the tiniest sliver of ice, becalmed on the black water of Blockston Branch.” A poetic tribute to an inspiring day.

Docent guided walks are offered at Adkins Arboretum on Saturdays, from April to November, and are free with admission. Walks begin at the Visitor’s Center at 11am. The walks revolve around a variety of nature themes, including spring ephemerals, edible plants, summer wetlands, woodland architecture, and autumn color. The Arboretum hopes to make Lynn’s poetry walk a regular offering.

Fall Family Festival-November 8 by Jennifer Houghton

This year's Fall Family Festival, held on Saturday, November 8, was a success despite a rainy start. Children enjoyed making a variety of crafts, including 3-D butterflies, egg carton creepy crawlies, tree cookie necklaces, and plant ‘n paint pansy pumpkins.

Storyteller John Grega captivated audiences with nature tales, Native American Educator John Fishback wowed families with his hands-on Native American lore, and the band Home Town Roots blended classic folk and rock throughout the day.

Adkins Arboretum volunteer Julianna Pax, along with her granddaughter, debuted a creative wetland-themed puppet show to an appreciative audience.

The Fall Family Festival also boasted pony rides, hayrides, a corn maze, bubbles, and dried flower arranging.

The All American Grill of Centreville and Cindy Ball of Ridgely provided a variety of refreshments. Some 200 people attended this year’s event, and 18 dedicated volunteers, along with staff, helped the day go off without a hitch.

Soup & Walk-November 15, 2008 by Julianna Pax

This was our last soup & walk for the year and Mother Nature cooperated with sunny weather and a south breeze by 11 AM. We had thunderstorms around 3 in the morning and the forecast was for rainstorms all day. At 9:30, it still looked like we would need an indoor program. But by 10:30 the skies cleared and the 70 degree day was absolutely lovely!!

We headed to the woods in search of winter food for the wildlife. Nuts, acorns, berries and seeds were on our list. Before we even got to the woods, we looked up at a very tall tulip tree and saw glints of gold in the sunlight from a few late leaves and some seed clusters showing against a very blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Just before entering the woods, a dogwood sported a few red berries and lots of buds for next spring. On the first bridge we saw an arrowwood viburnum still attached to some of its pinkish red leaves. Next to it was an ironwood and again looking way up, there were a few seed clusters showing. On we trudged and saw some of the red and white oak families and identified them from the leaves. The white oak acorns with less tannic acid were very scarce. I think we finally found a few. The red oak acorns and hickory nuts also were not plentiful but again we did find a few. Even the hearts a bursting which had some of the purple caps did not have berries except for one lonely berry attached to a cap. The pines yielded some Virginia pine cones but we saw no loblolly pine cones. We surmised that the birds and other wildlife did have more options for food in the meadow.

Even though the day was warm, the Turkey Chili soup, Waldorf salad, Flaxseed bread and Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce were just what we needed after the hour walk. Many went back for seconds and maybe more. I brought out some samples of oak leaves, acorns, hickory nuts, hicans (hickory crossed with a pecan), black walnuts and pecans that I had brought for display. We discussed the value of nuts, seeds and berries in our diets. Recipes were handed out and discussed. Suzie squirrel came by and thanked us for sharing the arboretum and its food.

Thanks to all the volunteers, this was a very successful soup and walk for our 26 guests. The volunteers were Mickey B, Mary Jo K, Michele W, Lynn L, Yvonne O, and Suzie N. Did I miss anybody? Mickey’s decorations were beautiful and used for the flying farmers group the next day. All of the volunteers seem to anticipate what needs to be done so there is a great deal of teamwork and camaraderie. Thank you, you make this event very special for me. Jenny was great at the front desk. Jenny mentioned that many guests had good comments as they left. Erica was the staff person who was very helpful. Heidi, Paul, Buck and Kathy all helped get the event ready. Thanks to all.

I asked the guests if they were interested in a possible 2 hour walk in March and 19 signed up! I think we will try to do 2 tours, a longer one starting at 10 AM and a shorter one starting at 11 AM. The longer one will be able to do more of the Tuckahoe Valley trail since it has great spring ephemerals.

Anyone who wants to order a green soup & walk polo shirt and/or help with the soup & walks next year, please let me know. We start in February.

Thanks, Julianna

The Arboretum in the Fall

Hope House, Talbot County, Maryland by Ellie Altman, Executive Director

On Saturday, November 1, the Arboretum's Leon Andrus Society held its annual fall gathering at Board President Peter Stifel's home, Hope House, on the Miles River, a stunning, clear fall day--sweater weather. Guests gathered in the circular drive until all 30+ had arrived and then took an hour ride around the perimeter of the property on a hay wagon. The event was the first "Tree Walk and Cocktails." The highlight of the tour was Peter's own 'Champion Trees,' a lob lolly pine and a scarlet oak, the former a Talbot County 'Champion,' and the latter a state 'Champion.' Upon returning to the house, the tour continued around the gardens and sheep pasture to the shores of the Miles. Our gracious host served food and cocktails on the porch of Hope House until dark fell. An afternoon spent enjoying nature's wonders gave the crowd a hearty appetite. The shrimp with Peter's mother's recipe for Ft. Henry sauce quickly disappeared.

The Arboretum was established in 1980 with the generous donation from its founding benefactor, Leon Asa 'Andy' Andrus. Born in Horsehead, New York, in 1887, Mr. Andrus led a full life, including a successful career on Wall Street, and eventually settled on the shores of the Wye River. His adventuresome spirit opened many doors. He took flying lessons with Charles Lindbergh; considered J. Ogden Armour, Andrew Mellon, and J.B. Duke his friends; presented a wedding gift to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on behalf of Corning Glass; purchased the Queen Anne's Record-Observer; promoted the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge; and tended five 'Champion Trees' on his Wye River farm. After his death in 1989 at the age of 101, a portion of Mr. Andrus's estate was bequeathed to establish the Andrus Endowment for Adkins Arboretum.

The Leon Andrus Society was founded to celebrate the Arboretum's first benefactor. The Society confers recognition to its members for generosity and commitment to supporting the Arboretum's annual operating fund. Membership in the Leon Andrus Society is open to all with an annual gift of $1,000 or more, and benefits, for one year, two adults. Benefits include: free admission, subscription to the Arboretum's newsletter, Native Seed, and all the benefits of a basic membership, as well as an invitation to the annual Leon Andrus Society Event and special recognition in the Arboretum's publications and other media.

To become a Leon Andrus Society member, visit http://www.adkinsarboretum.org/members.html

It is the generosity of The Leon Andrus Society that helps sustain the Arboretum's education programs. We are pleased to pay tribute to The Society members:

Ms. Lea Brooks
Mr. and Mrs. David Bryan
Mr. and Mrs. James Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. B. Vance Carmean
Ms. Jane De Briyn
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Duffey, III
Mr. and Mrs. John Fischer
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Granville
Mr. and Mrs. Alan Griffin
Mr. John Harper, III and Mrs. Karen Roth
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Allan Housley
Mrs. Hilda Latta
Ms. Virginia Paca
Dr. Robert Paca
Dr. Barbara Paca and Mr. Phillip Logan
Mr. and Mrs. John Root
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Stanley
Dr. Peter Stifel
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Van Dyke
Ms. JoAnne Welsh

The event was recorded through the lens of Board Trustee Alicia Siegrist's camera.

Board President, Peter Stifel entertains from the stump of an Osage orage tree where he explains the attributes of the wood of ginkgos and Osage oranges.

A Volunteer's Story by Kate Greer

The Adkins volunteer training often reinforced my recent Master Gardener training, was a huge plus but the Adkins sessions themselves had a particular importance to me. These past weeks have given me a relationship with the Arboretum that I could not have imagined yet so hoped for.


[The] response sheet didn't quite give me the room to say more than the basics. But there was so much more to be said: The magic was with the place, with your direction, and with the group that was so passionately involved.

I remember after session 2 with Nick Carter, I was so impressed with his material but also with his presentation (he spoke so wisely and in paragraphs--ya gotta love that). The following session morning, I remember mentioning that how could anything top that. [I was assured] that it wasn't a need to top it but to keep us way up there in being excited about the information coming our way. So right. Session after session, one could never even consider being absent. It was always important.


As you move forward to further training, I don't know that you will ever have a group as passionate about the subject and as enthused about sharing questions, ideas and experiences as this one was. The group dynamic matters a lot, I suspect.

But over all, my impression was that the "training" so essentially represented the place. Maybe it was because it was on site and we had regular outings into the woods and meadows, or because the Arboretum staff and experienced volunteers were there with us, or maybe because you reinforced our concerns for the environment and taught us how we can share this with others.

I am so grateful for the information, the bonding, and the direction [the] training provided.

Soup & Walk-10/18 by Julianna Pax

By the time we started our walk today, it was sunny and cool. The light rain during the night had stopped. Such a beautiful autumn day with colors to match. A lovely red tupelo was visible from the back patio as we started out. Along the edge of the forest, we saw black cherry trees in shades of red along with sweet gum, sassafras, dogwood and yes, some poison ivy. One of the sweet gum trees had exotic deep purple leaves. At the entrance to the woods was a young hickory displaying green leaves changing to a golden color.

My conversation turned to the mystery of the fall colors with green chlorophyll giving way to yellow carotenes and the appearance of red colors when the genes, soil and weather are favorable. All of this comes about when the scar tissue forms at the base of the leaf and transportation of sugar out and water and minerals into the leaf stops. Our eyes are the beneficiaries of this yearly colorful natural process which just really got started in this area this weekend.

Continuing along the Blockston Branch trail, we followed the golden trail of paw paw, tulip tree, and summersweet leaves. Some guests were interested in the varieties of green fern by the second bridge. Since they were mostly still a deep green color, they contrasted nicely with the reds and yellows. Later we went past a large patch of Christmas fern which will remain green all winter. The devil’s walking stick was resplendent in shades of green gold and red at the next bridge.

We passed some winterberry hollies (red berries) and wound our way to the Overlook trail and someone noticed our American chestnut sprouts by the side of the trail. We found a strawberry bush with red berries and purple caps. Coming out of the woods we saw a pokeberry (with dark berries) right next to a lovely winged sumac in its intense red color. When the sun shines on the winged sumac, it seems to glow from within, hence its other name, the shining sumac. Its lovely red berries gave me a chance to mention that these berries were a source of vitamin C to the early settlers.

Returning along the south meadow, there was a lot of color visible at this edge of the forest. We returned to the visitor’s center and amidst the colorful leaf decorations provided by Mickey B, we enjoyed our colorful lunch. Orange sweet potato soup, roasted red beet salad, zucchini herb bread with green basil and apple pie with red cranberries were served and recipes handed out. We discussed the recipes and why we should eat our colors. Having a soup making day with friends or family was suggested.