November Soup & Walk by Julianna Pax, volunteer

We were gifted with beautiful sunny weather today in the low 60’s. Mary Jo introduced the group to Adkins Arboretum and I shared the theme for today. We were going to look at the woods and meadows as an animal hunting for food would. Any kind from one that crawls on the ground to one that can climb trees or some that can fly to the treetops. Earlier I had heard much turkey gobbling so some of the fliers might stick to lower levels since the turkeys are a bit heavy.

Mary Jo left with half the group and my group walked to the wetlands first and took a look at the viburnum berries by the visitor center. The cypress cones were visible as well as juniper (red cedar) berries colored a beautiful blue on a female tree near the bridge. We then headed toward the woods and took note of the seeds available on the big bluestem, Indian grass and little bluestem. I told the story of the ice fishermen who like the goldenrod galls that house a little worm that they can use for bait.

In the woods we found some hickory leaves but not nuts and oaks leaves from both the white and red oak family. We did see a few acorns but many more acorn caps. Ann R had found some hickory nuts with and without husks last week. She gave them to me and I was able to show them along with some black walnuts, pecans and hicans after the luncheon.

Walking from the upland trail with the hickory and oak trees to the pine forest, we considered the type of food that the pine cones provided. Owls can nest in the pine trees and from this cover can readily find food in the oak and hickory area because their acorn and nuts draw mice, squirrels and other small critters. I had read recently in Joan Maloof’s book “Teaching the Trees” that the mast year for acorns and nuts promotes lots of mice and squirrels and this generates more owls and that owls can eat the bagworms that plague some areas. Very interesting, this communal effect.

Later on the trail the big fallen tree was quite interesting and it had several pools of water around the trunk. We speculated on how this singular event of a large fallen tree might give us much to watch and think about in the future months with the canopy opened up and the root ball sticking way up in the air. What kind of wild flowers might this promote? Or what kind of food for wildlife? The beech tree close by had many beech drops still showing and we talked about the community that this tree might support.

Finally we arrived for the soup luncheon which was delicious and all 31 guests and 7 volunteers enjoyed the sixteen bean soup, orange walnut salad, anadama bread and apple cranberry crisp dessert. There was interest in the oak identification book for the eastern US that I brought and some are going to see if they can find a copy. In the meantime I offered to copy the foldout pages that showed many white oak and red oak leaves and have them available at the Feb soup & walk. I also mentioned our new Sat program Tea in the Trees which Lynn L and Michele W are starting on the first Sat of the month starting in Feb.

My super volunteers are Mickey B, Pat B, Zaida W, Shirley B. Also, Norma Jean E and Mary Jo K who also brought dessert. Cathy, Buck and Paul also helped with the setup. Many thanks to all of you. We could not do this wonderful event without all your help. Many guests said they thoroughly enjoyed our soup & walks and plan to come again and again. Some are already signed up for Feb Mar and April. Thanks again. Julianna P

Arboretum Walk by Irene Aspell, volunteer

I had just returned from my weekly walk at the arboretum. The walk actually happens a lot more often when I have less to do in the rest of my life. The average works out to about once a week the year round which seems to be a good average for me to be out walking. These visits allow me to catch sight of the ephemeral changes to the woods and fields that one doesn’t see on less frequent visits. Today held some remarkable things and I wanted to share them with others whose visits might have missed them.

My usual route takes me around the south meadow as a gentle warm-up before traversing any hills or entering the cooler woods. I put a little speed into this lap since the walking is easy and unless some creature is disturbed by my tread it’s a very peaceful few minutes. The smell of the outdoors always rises up to meet me, not that I am stirring any debris since I am careful to walk on the path. The meadow itself has a scent that differs with the season, today in the light rain it looks past it’s summer prime but the many stems and leaves still breathe their essence into the world. I try not to miss this subtle perfume.

When crossing the first bridge that travels into the woods, I walk on the golden maple leaves strewn across the boards. The surface was the tiniest bit slippery so I probably studied the leaves more acutely than usual since they had potential hazards about them. What I saw was a luscious covering on the most mundane of crossings. This time the bridge was not just a crossing to get to the other side or to lean over and study the water underneath but the transit was an occasion in itself. The leaves seem painted onto the surface by the touch of the rain’s brush.

My favorite path veers off to the left and follows the wandering water down a slight slope near the muscular tulip trees that loan their leaf’s visage to the arboretum’s hats and other goods. The path underfoot here is cushioned by wood chips applied by the staff. I can only assume the reason for doing this is to make it easier for a walker or jogger with a touch of age-related gait. As a former runner I appreciate this touch and on a good day can feel accomplished if I manage a little jog along this pathway enjoying the forgiving surface and the newfound spring in my gait.

This route crosses many small bridges that zigzag through the woods and that is where the next sight stopped my progress. After the late summer’s dry spell it’s a good omen that water is being added to the stream. Even with the rain falling, there still isn’t much flow to the small stream but it has helped sink some of the nearby leaves to the sandy bottom. Still afloat are many others that both hide and reveal the sunken trove of leaves below. These leaves will eventually leak their tannin into the stream and turn it a well-brewed tea color. The resident frogs who normally float or sink in this spot have already burrowed into the banks ready for the weather that is coming and I will miss them till they reappear in the warm spring.

The woods and fields loaded with their season’s scent can be suggestive of summer or fall or any season or moment in time. Summer with it’s roses and viburnum has an entirely different vocabulary of smells. You just need to be there and be open to whatever nature has in store for that day.

Fall Family Festival by Jenny Houghton, Teacher

The 2009 Fall Family Festival, held on Saturday, November 7th, was a huge success thanks to enthusiastic staff and volunteers, a great bunch of visitors, and beautiful fall weather. The event included storytelling by John Grega, live music, and a puppet show. Book illustrator Kim Harrell signed copies of "While a Tree Grew: The Story of Maryland's Wye Oak," and Native American educator John Fishback (accompanied by his dog Cinders) brought history to life with demonstrations on arrow making.

In the craft tent, children enjoyed creating pinecone turkeys, bean mosaics, tree cookie necklaces, and paint 'n plant pansy pumpkins. A new addition to the festival, the Touch 'n Feel tent, entertained little ones with a wetlands pool, a grain bin, an animal track sand box, a worm barrel, and a nature table.

Festival goers also enjoyed lunchtime treats and a hay maze. Pony rides were popular, along with face painting and dried flower arranging. As one visitor shared, "We've been coming to the festival for three years now; there's something for everyone!"