GIGC 2021 Summer Update
Dear GIGC Members,
Since quite a lot has been happening this summer, I thought I would send out an update.
1) Club Meetings and Covid Protocols:
I have spoken with Kathy Hollister, M.D., the New Castle Health Officer, about whether the Club should hold an indoor "social" meeting, as we had planned, on September 14. She is clear that we should meet outside. Claudia has reserved a pavilion for September 14, with a rain date of September 15 as a backup plan. Please mark both in your calendars.
I am very disappointed, as I know you are as well, that we have not yet become free of this pandemic, and we must hope that numbers improve over time. Until they do, we will be following CDC guidelines, and taking the advice of the Health Officer. Fortunately our Program Committee has demonstrated their flexibility and their ability to provide excellent alternate programs when needed, and I thank them.
2) Coastguard Park
Volunteers removed invasive sumac and bittersweet from the back corner of the Coastguard Park earlier this summer. The sumac stumps were then leveled to the ground so the area can be mowed. Mary Pat is working with Brenda Reynolds, Pat Wood, and Jim Rini (Conservation Commission representative) to plan a landscape design for this corner of the Park. The intent is to plant native plants that will manage water flow from the parking lot and protect of the river. The group hopes to complete the project by mid-October.
3) The Boat
I'm sure you will have all seen the Boat near the Causeway. VJ and Craig Strehl have planted the Boat Garden for a number of years. During the summer they asked if the GIGC would take over, as they now spend most of the summer at the Lakes. The Board agreed to take on the Boat Garden, and Bonnie Brown, Mary Pat Gibson and Jane Page undertook the planting. It is looking beautiful, and makes a fitting entrance to the Great Island. Ann Tarlton is already at work planning permanent plantings, mainly drought-tolerant perennials that will require little regular attention.
4) Daffodils
Pat Lenz reports that the Daffodil web store was closed on July 31, 2021. Van Engelen will ship the order to her house during the week of September 27. The bulbs will be repackaged and labeled and will be ready for pick-up by customers on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9 from 9AM - 11 AM at her home.
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I am attaching the schedule of meetings for the year for your calendars. More information about the programs will be found on the GIGC website.
I hope you are all having a relaxing and enjoyable summer, seeing family and friends. And I look forward to seeing you in person on the Common, hopefully on September 14.
Barbara
Dear GIGC Members,
Since quite a lot has been happening this summer, I thought I would send out an update.
1) Club Meetings and Covid Protocols:
I have spoken with Kathy Hollister, M.D., the New Castle Health Officer, about whether the Club should hold an indoor "social" meeting, as we had planned, on September 14. She is clear that we should meet outside. Claudia has reserved a pavilion for September 14, with a rain date of September 15 as a backup plan. Please mark both in your calendars.
I am very disappointed, as I know you are as well, that we have not yet become free of this pandemic, and we must hope that numbers improve over time. Until they do, we will be following CDC guidelines, and taking the advice of the Health Officer. Fortunately our Program Committee has demonstrated their flexibility and their ability to provide excellent alternate programs when needed, and I thank them.
2) Coastguard Park
Volunteers removed invasive sumac and bittersweet from the back corner of the Coastguard Park earlier this summer. The sumac stumps were then leveled to the ground so the area can be mowed. Mary Pat is working with Brenda Reynolds, Pat Wood, and Jim Rini (Conservation Commission representative) to plan a landscape design for this corner of the Park. The intent is to plant native plants that will manage water flow from the parking lot and protect of the river. The group hopes to complete the project by mid-October.
3) The Boat
I'm sure you will have all seen the Boat near the Causeway. VJ and Craig Strehl have planted the Boat Garden for a number of years. During the summer they asked if the GIGC would take over, as they now spend most of the summer at the Lakes. The Board agreed to take on the Boat Garden, and Bonnie Brown, Mary Pat Gibson and Jane Page undertook the planting. It is looking beautiful, and makes a fitting entrance to the Great Island. Ann Tarlton is already at work planning permanent plantings, mainly drought-tolerant perennials that will require little regular attention.
4) Daffodils
Pat Lenz reports that the Daffodil web store was closed on July 31, 2021. Van Engelen will ship the order to her house during the week of September 27. The bulbs will be repackaged and labeled and will be ready for pick-up by customers on Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9 from 9AM - 11 AM at her home.
************************************************************
I am attaching the schedule of meetings for the year for your calendars. More information about the programs will be found on the GIGC website.
I hope you are all having a relaxing and enjoyable summer, seeing family and friends. And I look forward to seeing you in person on the Common, hopefully on September 14.
Barbara