Seminar on January 4: ‘ELEMENTS OF DESIGN’ Developing a ‘Renaissance Collection’ of Plants

Having attended seminars hosted by Sullivan Renaissance in the past, this is always a worthwhile event where you will learn a lot of the very important basics of garden/landscape design...hope to see you there. Sullivan Renaissance will also have applications available for their Master Gardener Program that evening.

[FERNDALE] – Starting a garden is a fun and exciting activity! Learn how to incorporate the plants you love into the space you have at Sullivan Renaissance’s seminar entitled “Elements of Design” on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the CVI Center in Ferndale.

Presented by gardening expert Mary Lewis, this seminar will help individuals and groups begin garden projects by exploring the elements of garden design. Topics will include site assessment, design and color theory, plant choice and arrangement, Sullivan Renaissance garden design requirements, and much more.

The concept of a “2012 Sullivan Renaissance Collection” will be introduced by horticulturist Peter Patel of the Orange County Arboretum in Montgomery. The collection includes a group of annuals and perennials that can form the basis for new gardens and additions to existing beds. The plants will be displayed at the Annual Renaissance Conference and Expo on March 10.

Mary Lewis is a consultant for Sullivan Renaissance, after serving as a Renaissance judge for nine years. She is founder of Barncroft, a garden design firm; chair of Zone III 2008 Annual Meeting of the Garden Clubs of America; and past president of Orange and Dutchess Garden Club. A Cornell University graduate, she studies botanical art at New York Botanical Garden.

Peter Patel was a flower judge for Sullivan Renaissance this year. He is a Certified Arborist – International Society of Arboriculture, Cert. Nursery/Landscape Professional, and member of the Tri-County Nursery Association; he owns ArborHeights Designs, LLC.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by January 3.

Applications will also be available for the 15-week Master Gardener Program that begins on February 7. Completed applications must be returned no later than January 6, 2012 to: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road, Liberty, NY 12754.

Sullivan Renaissance is a beautification and community development program principally funded by the Gerry Foundation. For more information or to register, call 845-295-2445 or visit www.sullivanrenaissance.org.

Planning For 2012 Sullivan Renaissance Underway

Seems like it was just yesterday that all of us here in Rock Hill were celebrating our Third Place win in the 2011 Sullivan Renaissance Category B division, though the winners were actually announced almost three months ago. As we head into December and the end of year Holidays, discussions are being held as we look toward 2012 Sullivan Renaissance, and a lot of ideas and suggestions are on the table, and we would like to hear from anyone and everyone...are there projects you would like to see incorporated into Rock Hill's application for 2012, have an idea for a fun project or project element you would like to share? Please share it in our comments section, or drop us an email at rockhillrenaissance@gmail.com.

We are hoping to move up and apply in the Category C division for 2012, so look for more news on this in the coming days and weeks...the Mid March deadline sounds like it is so far off, but there is a lot of planning that has too be done between now and then. Some of the possible project areas and ideas we have gotten so far include:

• A bird watching area with a bench by the wetland area.
• Major work on the new location for the Farmer's Market...perhaps including a small stage for our musicians. Repair and renovation of the cottage.
• Consistent signage and new color scheme to help in branding Rock Hill.
• Removing chain link fence by Pizza The Rock, clean up of the woods to right of fence.
• Flower boxes on the sides of buildings/on corners.
• Cleaning up of community bulletin board, fresh paint. Some flowers, a bench or two?
• Create new entryway into Farmer's Market area complete with new landscaping.

End of year cleanup is Friday at 3pm.  Meet at Dutch's. 

Welcome!

Hey Everybody!  Welcome to the new blog for our entry in the Sullivan County Renaissance Project.  Our goals are to make Rock Hill an even better place to live through the grants of the Sullivan Renaissance beautification program.  The goal of this blog is to have a two way street with the community, to have full disclosure of what we are doing, community feedback and a sharing of ideas with the public. Please come back to our blog often to see our progress. 

Thanks,

Melinda and TW