More Dry-Laid Stone Wall Classes—Sara's Garden Center

Submitted by Sara's Garden Center

Stone Wall Seminars 2010

The following is the schedules for the 2010 season of our weekend-long dry stonewall construction classes. We are offering 3 sessions this season; two with local stone craftsman Scott George and one with John Shaw-Rimmington.

June 26^th & 27^th, August 14^th & 15^th and September 18^th & 19^th.

Each weekend session will take you through the entire process of constructing a stone wall utilizing the dry laid method. Each day’s class begins at 9 a.m. and goes till 5 p.m. with a break for a provided lunch each day.

June 26^th & 27^th – Class will be held at an old farm house on Gordon Road near the Ogden/Sweden border and will be led by Scott George. Scott has worked on several walls there along with a few other projects, including a rustic fire place. In keeping with the work that already exists on the property, this project will cover the basics needed to construct a simple, country wall with local stone. Class size is limited to 7 people.

August 14^th & 15^th – This class will be held at the same location on Gordon Road and will also be led by Scott George. We’re hoping to cover corner construction in this session. Class size is limited to 7 people.

We decided to change the venue and number of students for the first 2 sessions to offer some more in -depth time, really allowing you ‘one on one’ work with Scott. He has a very creative style, while still being technically in tune to the art of the construction. There is a lot to be gained from being able to work with him and glean some of his insights from working so intimately in the medium. We also felt that the atmosphere at the nursery during the busy seasons of spring and summer might be a little too intrusive.

September 18^th & 19^th – Our final class will be held at the nursery; you may have seen last year’s wall near our barn. It is incredible and it was all done by our 12 amazing students! This session will be led by John Shaw-Rimmington of the Canadian Dry Stone Wall Association. Another unique personality in the world of stone, John has traveled across the country and the world, learning, teaching and fulfilling what is truly a lifelong purpose in sharing the magic of stone wall creation. Again, times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with a provided lunch both days and a class limit of 10. Check out the DSWA.CA site for photos of last year’s event and see more of John’s work.

Last year’s schedule was sold out very early. Each weekend is $300.00 with a deposit of $150.00 required to reserve your space. Cancellations are accepted with a full refund if notice is given at least 5 days before the event.

You will want a pair of sturdy gloves and if you have any of your own tools (chisels, hammer, etc) you can bring them as well. Classes will go on rain or shine! Best to come prepared for any weather issues: rain coat, dry socks, gloves, shorts/pants, t-shirts/sweaters, etc. We do have tents that will be utilized as needed to keep you as dry or as cool as we can. These stone wall guys are troopers and not much puts them off in terms of conditions. We will provide lunch around noon. We will also have beverages and snacks to keep you going throughout the day. You can email (kkepler AT rochester DOT rr DOT com) for more detail or to register.

Submitted by Sara's Garden Center

Another Great Chance to See Sycamore Hill

Central New York Land Trust Hosts Annual Garden Tour

Submitted by CNY Land Trust—Central New York Land Trust's annual garden tour and plant sale returns to the beautiful Sycamore Hill Gardens located at 2130 Old Seneca Turnpike in Marcellus.. The gardens will be open, rain or shine, for self-guided tours on Saturday, June 19, from 11 am until 4 pm.

“These private gardens are not usually accessible to the public,” said Jeff Devine, Central New York Land Trust executive director. “George and Karen Hanford own the property and graciously open it to the public a couple times a year for non-profit organizations to hold fundraisers, so our Summer Solstice Garden Tour is a rare opportunity not to be missed.”

The event will feature live music from The Barrigar Brothers from 12:00 - 1:00, and The Oswego Valley Fiddlers from 2:00 - 3:00.

The cost for adults is $8 in advance at www.cnylandtrust.org, or $10 at the door, and children 12 and under free. Food will be available for purchase, and visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnic lunch. Proceeds from the tour will benefit Central New York Land Trust in its work to extend protection to important habitat and natural areas in Central New York and to provide proper stewardship for the 2,500 acres that it currently owns.

Key features of the gardens include several large ponds with fountains and colorful koi, which the children can feed, statuary from all around the world, an evergreen maze and more than 500 cultivars of trees.  The gardens are home to a variety of perennials and an unbelievable collection of hostas making the landscape a mecca for gardeners in the Central New York area.

In conjunction with the garden tour, the organization will also hold a plant and tree sale across the street from the gardens where a variety of local plants will be available for purchase.  The plants come from area gardeners who have made donations from their local gardens and consist primarily of perennials and native plants, trees and shrubs. There is no admission fee for the plant sale.

About Central New York Land Trust, Inc.
Originally established in 1972 as Save The County, Central New York Land Trust is a private, membership-supported, not for profit organization dedicated to the protection of Central New York’s vital natural areas for the health of the environment and the enjoyment of the public.

Anyone can become a member and help maintain properties through financial donations or volunteer work. Central New York Land Trust acquires land either by donation, purchase or bargain sale. The organization improves some properties to include trail systems, parking, and better public access for visitors, while protecting each property’s natural state. All properties are open free of charge for hiking, photography, nature study and other passive recreation from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.

For more information, visit www.cnylandtrust.org.

Submitted by CNY Land Trust