Mill Creek Towne Garden Club

02/27/2016 - Black History Month Celebrations 2015
2016-02-27 12:00 UTC
Celebrate Black History Month February 27 & 28, 2016Montgomery Parks is proud to provide this introduction to this rich, local African American history by hosting a series of free, tours, documentaries, and poetry at Josiah Henson Park!
Located in North Bethesda, MD on the historic Isaac Riley Farm this park is where the Reverend Josiah Henson lived and worked as a slave from 1795 to 1830.
Saturday, February 27

Free Guided Tours – Last tour begins 3:00 pmVolunteer historians and archeologists provide free guided tours that retrace the footsteps of Reverend Josiah Henson from his enslavement to escape on the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. Walk the grounds where Henson toiled as a slave on the Isaac Riley plantation.
Time Team America Documentary – “The Search For Josiah Henson”Shown at Noon, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pmEach Saturday we will show PBS’ Time Team America’s documentary, “The Search for Josiah Henson,” – an over-the-archaeologists’-shoulder view of discoveries made at our very own Josiah Henson Park.
Spoken Word Poetry Event – Lyrical Rhythms: The Sounds of Freedom3:00 – 4:00 pm | Free AdmissionClose out our Black History Month celebration with our annual poetry event. The month-long festivities conclude on Saturday, February 28 with a spoken word poetry event, “Lyrical Rhythms: The Sounds of Freedom.” Participants of all ages and races are welcome.

Sunday, February 28

Free Guided Tours – Last tour begins 3:00 pmVolunteer historians and archeologists provide free guided tours that retrace the footsteps of Reverend Josiah Henson from his enslavement to escape on the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. Walk the grounds where Henson toiled as a slave on the Isaac Riley plantation.
Time Team America Documentary – “The Search For Josiah Henson”Shown at Noon, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 pmEach Saturday we will show PBS’ Time Team America’s documentary, “The Search for Josiah Henson,” – an over-the-archaeologists’-shoulder view of discoveries made at our very own Josiah Henson Park.

Josiah Henson Park is a historic resource of international significance because of its association with Reverend Henson, whose 1849 autobiography, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Visit HistoryInTheParks.org for more information.

MCT Garden Club February Meeting Topic: Creating Children's Gardens: Growing Gardeners
2016-02-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Mill Creek Towne Elementary, 17700 Park Mill Dr, Derwood, 20855, United States
Hi Fellow Gardeners, Neighbors, and Friends!
The next Mill Creek Towne Garden Club meeting is planned for February 23rd at the Mill Creek Towne Elementary School beginning at 7:30 p.m. Two Montgomery County Master Gardeners, Merikay Smith and LeeAnne Gelletly, will be speaking on “Children’s Gardens – Growing Gardeners”. This should be a great talk! We hope you can join us. We look forward to seeing you then! Below are the details.

Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 @ 7:30 pm
Topic: Creating Children’s Gardens: Growing Gardeners
Speaker: Merikay Smith and Lee Anne Gellety, Master Gardeners
Location: Mill Creek Towne Elementary Teacher’s Lounge
Hostesses: Heather Whirley, Lynn Hughes

2016 Spring Gardening Conference
2016-02-20 08:30 - 14:30 | University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18400 Muncaster Rd, Derwood, MD 20855, Derwood, MD, 20855, United States
$55 per person or $50 each for two or more, includes lunch
Registration closes Febuary 16; no refunds after February 13
*Snow date – February 27, 2016 (In case of inclement weather, we follow Montgomery County Public Schools’ Weekend Activity Policy.)
Schedule of Events
Registration & Refreshments (8:30 – 9:00)
Welcome & Opening Remarks (9:00 – 9:15)
Session I (9:25 – 10:30)
A. Lawn vs Lore – Patricia Eng and Eric Wenger Do luscious lawns really require constant chemical care? Find out the truth about maintaining healthy turf in your landscape.
B. Designing a Right-Sized Garden – Susan Bell Overwhelmed at the prospect of gardening? Wondering how to downsize your landscape maintenance duties? Susan explores what elements create the most work in a garden and then discusses how to reduce or eliminate those tasks until you have a ‘right-sized’ garden that you can manage easily.
C. Healing Herbs – Heather Whirley Using herbs for healing is shrouded in mystery, going back centuries. Heather will highlight 15 herbs that can be grown in our area, with unique scientific properties that can aid in preventative medicine for overall health. This interactive class will include live and dried samples to smell and touch.
Session II (10:40 – 11:45)
D. Making the Most of the Soil You’ve Got – Mary Hagedorn Many folks bemoan “Maryland clay,” despite the fact that it has many advantages! And we actually don’t all have the same soil. There are many different soil types in our area. Find out how to tell what type of soil you have and tips to make the most of what you’ve got.
E. Creating a Children’s Garden: Growing Gardeners – LeeAnne Gelletly and Merikay Smith Gardening isn’t just for grownups! Inspire kids to learn more about the world of dirt, plants, and bugs. What makes a garden child-friendly? We’ll share garden elements that appeal to kids and ideas on how to incorporate these into your garden. Includes inspirations from public children’s gardens.
F. Managing Garden Pests – Marie Rojas Are organic pesticides always safer than synthetic ones? Come and discover what works and what doesn’t; which insects and diseases are common in our landscapes, and how to prevent them from becoming a problem in yours.
Lunch (12:00 – 1:00)
Informal lunchtime talks are open to anyone interested; register for one or both
Lasagna Gardens – Heather Zindash. Learn the “lasagna method” of gardening! Heather will show you how to create easy, no-till garden beds for food, flower, or ornamental plants.
Tools of the Trade – Joe Ginther. Get ready for spring! Joe will discuss and demonstrate garden tool sharpening and maintenance.
Session III (1:00 – 2:05)
G. Proper Pruning Practices – Do Plants Care? – Eric Wenger Is pruning harmful to plants? Find out the truth about how plants really feel about “surgery!”
H. Simple Seed Starting – Terri Pitts Think indoor seed starting takes lots of time and effort? Think again! Learn simple ways to start your seeds indoors and get a jump start on the growing season.
I. Going Native – Merikay Smith Do native plants really thrive in our gardens without care? Will planting natives really bring in more butterflies, birds, and pollinators? Come and learn how to successfully use native plants in your landscape – be it deer-ridden, shady or sunny, wet or dry, or sloped.
Wrap-up (2:15 – 2:30)
Open question-and-answer forum with presenters. Last of the fabulous door prizes will be awarded.

Have questions about EXPLODING THE MYTHS: Facts to Help You Avoid Common Gardening Mythstakes? Contact Montgomery County Master Gardeners

02/13/2016 - Maple Sugaring Days
2016-02-13 15:00
February is Maple Sugaring Month at Brookside Nature Center. Every Saturday and Sunday you’ll have an opportunity to experience an American tradition: maple sugaring! Watch the whole maple sugaring process from start to finish. See sap drip from trees and taste it. Watch us boil it down into sweet maple syrup, then sample a tasty treat. Join in the fun and activities and learn something new at this family-friendly program! Space is limited so pre-registration is encouraged.
Ages 3 & up

02/13/2016 - Make It Take It: Valentine Treat for the Birds.
2016-02-13 11:30
Share a valentine with our feathered friends. Drop by during program hours and create this seasonal delight to take home with you. No registration required. Exact change appreciated.
All ages

02/13/2016 - Explore Wild Montgomery: Black Hill Trail
2016-02-13 10:00
Explore wild Montgomery with a Locust Grove park naturalist. Each week we’ll hike a different trail at a different Montgomery County park. Today we’ll take a leisurely 3-mile walk on Black Hill Trail around Little Seneca Lake and up into the natural surface trails of Black Hill Park. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot in Black Hill Regional Park.
Ages 6 & up

02/09/2016 - Community Meeting- Long Branch Wayne Local Park
2016-02-09 19:00
A Community Meeting to discuss the future of Long Branch-Wayne Local Park will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 from 7:00PM-9:00PM at the Oak View Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. The public is encouraged to come out and provide input on park usage and offer ideas on potential park improvements.

Meeting will be held at Oak View Elementary School, 400 E. Wayne Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901.
Click here for additional information.

02/07/2016 - Maple Sugaring Days
2016-02-07 15:00, 2016-02-07 13:00

02/07/2016 - Harpists at the Visitor Center
2016-02-07 13:00
Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music and the natural beauty of Black Hill all around you.
All ages

02/06/2016 - Maple Sugaring Days
2016-02-06 15:00

02/06/2016 - Raptor Feeding
2016-02-06 12:00
Observe Meadowside’s resident raptors during their feeding time and hear some stories about the raptors on exhibit.
All ages

02/06/2016 - Raptor Enrichment
2016-02-06 11:30
Raptors are smart! Come see Meadowside’s resident raptors as they search for food, explore new objects, and encounter new experiences.
All ages

01/31/2016 - What Are You Missing?
2016-01-31 16:00 - 16:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Look around…listen…breath deep…touch! Our understanding of the world around us is based on what we can sense, and what we can imagine. As humans, we have limited senses of hearing and sight–and our sense of time also has an effect on what we understand. Join a Brookside naturalist to learn how to use different tools to expand your powers of observation and sharpen your senses. You never know what you’ll discover when you take a closer look!
Ages 5 & up

01/31/2016 - January Storytimes: Winter Weather
2016-01-31 15:00 - 15:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Now that the weather is colder, enjoy a tale about nature in the cozy comfort of the nature center. Join us in January by our cozy hearth to watch the weather from our big window while listening to a different story each week about the wonders of winter weather like snowflakes, crystals and ice.
Ages 3 to 6

01/31/2016 - Make It and Take It: Twig Art
2016-01-31 13:30 - 15:30 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Drop by the Visitor Center and have some fun! We’ll have easy-to-make seasonal crafts that you can make and take home. No registration required; drop-in anytime during program hours! Fee is per craft; exact change is appreciated.
All ages

01/31/2016 - Meet the Animals
2016-01-31 13:30 - 14:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
What animals live in and around Wheaton Regional Park and which animals actually live in the nature center? Join this family friendly presentation and your chance to see the animals close up.
Ages 2 & up

01/31/2016 - Ladies Trek: Agricultural History Farm Park
2016-01-31 09:00 - 11:00 | University of Maryland Extension Montgomery County Office, 18400 Muncaster Rd, Derwood, MD, 20855, United States
Want to hike but don’t quite know where to go? Meet other women and hike park trails with a park naturalist. Hike lengths vary with the pace of each group. Today we’ll hike in the Agricultural History Farm Park – a 410-acre complex situated along Rock Creek in Derwood, Maryland. The park features a farmhouse, barn, assorted farm buildings and an activity center, as well as 7- acres set aside to depict historic life on the farm. Meet at the parking lot to the left of the Activity Center, 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood, MD. Trail Map: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trails_MAPS/trailmap_pdfs/Ag_HistFarm.pdf
Ages 18 & up

01/30/2016 - Family Scavenger Hunt
2016-01-30 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Bring the family to Black Hill Visitor Center to hunt for natural treasures! Drop by the Visitor Center to pick up a scavenger hunt sheet, get some helpful hints, and then head outside to start looking. When you’ve finished, come back to the Visitor Center to get a prize. No registration required – drop in anytime during program hours!
All ages

11th Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges
2016-01-30 12:00 - 16:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Catch the Gardening Fever in 2016 at a local SEED SWAP!
Did you know that the last Saturday of January each year is National Seed Swap Day? Yeah!!
Most local Seed Swaps are open to the public, are sponsored by public libraries and University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners, and are guaranteed to be FUN and EDUCATIONAL!

Seed Exchange attendees trade seeds, exchange planting tips, hear expert speakers, and collect goody bags full of gardening treats.
You don’t have to bring seeds to participate. Most seed swaps have kid’s activities and information on seed starting and seed saving.
UPDATE:
A portion of the Washington Gardener Seed Exchanges proceeds will go to the Save Our Monarchs Foundation.
Montgomery Co.- Saturday, January 30 from 12noon-4:00pm at Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. 11th Annual Washington Gardener Seed Exchange. To register: http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/

01/30/2016 - Raptor Feeding
2016-01-30 12:00 - 12:20 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States

01/30/2016 - Meet the Animals
2016-01-30 11:00 - 11:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
What animals live in and around Wheaton Regional Park and which animals actually live in the nature center? Join us for a family friendly presentation and your chance to see the animals close up.
Ages 2 & up

01/30/2016 - Nature Architects
2016-01-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Erect a tower, build a boat, make a mud pie…it’s time to let your inner architect out! We’ll venture into different park habitats to design and construct things using natural objects and materials. What we do will depend on the weather and the things we can find. But no matter what we do, come dressed for the weather and ready to get dirty.
Ages 3 to 12

01/30/2016 - Webelos/Arrow of Light Elective: Into the Wild
2016-01-30 09:30 - 12:00 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Learn about flyways, birds found in your backyard, and caring for insects. Explore the role producers, consumers, and decomposers play in the food chain of an ecosystem.
Ages 7 to 10

01/27/2016 - Nature Matters: Climate Change and Native Plants
2016-01-27 18:45 - 20:15 | Meadowside Nature Center in Rock Creek Regional Park, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD, 20855, United States
Our local native flora is essentially tied to other aspects of the ecosystem, including weather patterns. While many animals have the ability to move when conditions become rapidly unfavorable, plants don’t have that option. Dr. Sara Via, with the University of Maryland, will lead us on an exploration of the effects our changing climate has on native plant communities and the animal populations they support. This intriguing lecture series focuses on local nature and conservation topics. Check-in and refreshments begin at 6:45pm, and the one-hour lecture followed by Q & A begins at 7 pm.
Ages 14 & up
To Register, please visit: https://apm.activecommunities.com/montgomerycounty/Activity_Search/5160

01/26/2016 - Trail Buddies
2016-01-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
Trail buddies is a great opportunity for preschoolers to discover the thrills and chills of winter nature and develop important skills together with other preschoolers and their favorite adults. As we walk the nature center trails we’ll collect, count and sort different natural materials (pre-math), recognize shapes and patterns in nature (art) and invent our own outdoor nature games as we improve and develop social skills like sharing and cooperation. This program will meet every Tuesday except December 29th. Come for one, two, or all programs!
Ages 3 to 5

01/25/2016 - All About Owls
2016-01-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Owls are amazing creatures, flying silently through the air to catch their prey. Join us to learn how local species “tiger of the air,” “monkey-faced owl,” and the “laughing owl” got these names and more! Suzanne Shoemaker, rehabilitator from Owl Moon Raptor Center, and one of her education birds will visit us too. The center does great work but their patients can’t pay. If you’d like to help, please feel free to bring a donation item for Owl Moon. Check out www.OwlMoon.org to view their wish list or make a donation.
Ages 4 to 16

01/24/2016 - What Are You Missing?
2016-01-24 16:00 - 16:30 | Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States

01/24/2016 - Family Day at Black Hill
2016-01-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
School’s out today, so bring the kids to the Visitor Center for an afternoon of nature fun! Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs will be on hand to help you explore nature topics like birds, bats and bears. Also, volunteer naturalists will lead short nature walks with hands-on activities and games. Drop in anytime from 1 – 4 pm for the fun! This program is free, but please register so we’ll have enough materials and help for all.
Ages 1 & up

01/24/2016 - Something Awesome!
2016-01-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr., Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
Nature is awesome, cool, and super-fun! We’ll celebrate the winter wonderland around us with awesome activities around the Visitor Center. Check our Facebook page before the program to find out what’s happening today and to know how to dress.
Ages 5 & up
