I'm writing to provide an update about the Garden and a reminder about two upcoming events. As you may already know, the area has been plowed and disked a few times over, creating a "shovel ready" spot for our garden. The garden beds themselves may benefit from an additional pass with a rotatiller but this can occur at a later time (i.e. after the beds are staked out) with the type of smaller unit that is often used in home gardens. Jeff Ostertag has graciously surveyed the area, revised our site plan accordingly, and staked out the four corners and the edges of our major pathways. Woodchips for the pathways have been delivered with more available to us if needed and a spigot that can receive a garden hose has been installed. This Saturday, May 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will be the first of two scheduled work parties. Since we have received rain for the past few days, I would recommend that we make every effort to avoid traipsing around in the garden itself (in the interest of avoiding soil compaction). Therefore, it's not likely that we'll stake out the plots tomorrow. However, there's still plenty to do! Specifically, we can build the deer fence that will surround the entire site. The Town of Coxsackie, in a very helpful move, has delivered 65 7ft. Heavy duty steel utility posts and I have another 15 in the trunk of my car, along with other materials that we'll need, including the deer barrier itself and a post driver. Also in the trunk are the materials that we'll need to stake out individual plots--our task for the next scheduled work party on Tuesday, June 2nd from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. The forecast between Saturday and Tuesday is for warm and sunny weather, which should do a lot to dry out the soil so that we won't do damage to its structure when treading on it. It would be helpful for anyone who plans on participating in that work party to bring a small sledge for driving the stakes into the ground, scissors or snips for cutting the twine, and a dose of patience for all the bending we'll do!
Posted on 5/29/2009 by April Ernst
Rotary dues have been mailed out. They said, "Semi-Annual", but should have said, "Annual" dues of $75. Get them out, people!
Darci is collecting aluminum tabs (off cans) for Victors Cause, the Catskill senior that passed away. Tabs will be collected at our 5/27 meeting.
We are going to be IN the Wacky Raft Race this year. Ed will begin working on the vessel and we will be putting some fine-looking ladies on this year. Looking for a theme? Nothing has been discussed yet so, any ideas?
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE...is on Monday 5/25 ending at McQuade Park. Rotarians will be handing out sodas at the end - should be around 1:30pm. Dedication of the multi-use park will be taking place at that time so it would be great to see as many faces as possible.
John Halstead will be doing the 20-Week Club this year with a final drawing at Casino Night in October.
Posted on 5/19/2009 by April Ernst
Speaker This Week: Georgia is going to speak about a community garden in Coxsackie (in the IDA park on Stacey Road). Very exciting!
News from Darci: We have our 2 RYLA recipients: Gregory Deso, Jr. and Alison Brockett. I will bring the applications this week if anyone wants to see why these kids deserve this great award and experience to go to the conference June 28th-July 2nd at Mt Saint Marys College in Newburg this year.
Auction Update: Auction items need to start coming in! Banners and signs will be up by Thursday.
Posted on 4/15/2009 by April Ernst