New Canaan Garden Club produces reusable bags

New Canaan Garden Club Conservation Committee members (from left) Jo Ziesing, Tracy Merrill, Wendy Dewey and Julie Peter are responsible for producing reusable bags being distributed by the organization. Contributed photo

In support of the growing worldwide movement banning single-use plastic bags, the New Canaan Garden Club has produced reusable bags, which are available for purchase at Elm Street Books.
These bags conveniently fold back into a small attached pouch, which can be easily carried in a coat pocket, purse, backpack or briefcase, or hooked to a strap with the attached carabiner.
The New Canaan Town Council passed an ordinance in February banning single-use plastic bags beginning in the fall of this year. As has been widely publicized, single-use plastic bags have had an enormous impact on the earth’s ecology as they take so long to decompose, have clogged waterways and have been found in oceans affecting the life and well-being of many marine creatures.

The Connecticut Nature Conservancy on the Long Island Sound

Holly Drinkuth, Director, Watershed and Connecticut Outreach Programs for The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut, spoke to members of the New Canaan Garden Club regarding the Conservancy’s efforts and strategies to continue to restore and protect clean water and healthy habitats in and along Long Island Sound.

Garden Club members heard that one of the continuing problems for the Sound is the amount of nitrogen entering the Sound water which fuels toxic algae blooms. As stated by the Nature Conservancy, “By changing management practices at home and supporting community plans to set and meet nitrogen limits, we can safeguard clean and healthy conditions in rivers, harbors and bays.”

Drinkuth suggested that if homeowners are willing to slightly change their lawn care routine there will be an impact on the health of our local streams and rivers and ultimately the Sound. Reducing or eliminating the uses of lawn fertilizer is one of the recommendations.

Pictured after the meeting are (l to r) Marie Orsini Rosen, Director of Philanthropy Nature Conservancy; Liz Zea, Co-Chair NCGC Programs; Ellen Zumbach, NCGC President; Carrie Corcoran, Co-Chair NCGC Programs; and speaker Holly Drinkuth.

Ken Druse lecture on "The New Shade Garden"

The New Canaan Garden Club and the New Canaan Beautification League held a joint program for their members at the New Canaan Library with celebrated lecturer, environmentalist, award-winning author and photographer, Ken Druse. Ken spoke to the group on his new book: "The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change", focusing in on the challenges that have arisen due to our changing climate. Ken has been called the “guru of natural gardening”.

Standing with Ken Druse after the meeting are (l to r) Beautification League’s Program Chair, Gerda Smith; Beautification Co-President, Barbara Beall; Ken Druse; NCGC’s President Ellen Zumbach; NCGC’s Program Chair Carrie Corcoran and Beautification’s League Co-President Karen Sneirson.

Giving Back!

An important part of the New Canaan Garden Club's mission to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, is the work we do to beautify and serve our community. During the holiday season, these efforts are well-received and widely appreciated by many members of our New Canaan family. Here are several projects that we enthusiastilcally undertake each year:

Donation to New Canaan Department of Human Services - NCGC's members collected and donated $2,800 to the New Canaan Department of Human Services for the town's Food Pantry and Warm Up Fund. The Food Pantry historically makes its largest distributions during the holidays with between 120 and 190 individuals accessing the resources every two weeks. Many of these same families also benefit from assistance from the Warm Up Fund which helps with heat, electric and propane expenses.

Decorations for the Holiday Stroll - Each year the Club decorates and donates trees and wreaths for the annual Holiday Stroll held in early December to kick off the holiday season. The trees surround the stage for Santa's arrival and the wreaths decorate the New Canaan Playhouse windows. After the Stroll, the trees are donated to the New Canaan's Department of Human Services for New Canaan families who otherwise would not have a tree.

Tray Favors for Meals on Wheels - A group of NCGC members gathered to create tray favors from holiday greens for the New Canaan Meals on Wheels, a non-profit service dedicated to providing nourishing meals each weekday throught the year to eligible residents of New Canaan.

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