Mega Sales Move Hundreds of Native Plants into Local Gardens
This summer, WOK was blessed with a bountiful inventory of native plants, so many that we wondered what we were going to do with them all. The solution presented itself in the form of two mega sales.
The Keweenaw Co-op graciously agreed to host one sale on Sept. 3. Eight members volunteered to sell 30 species of plants from 8 a.m. until the store closed at 8 p.m. Later that week, we echoed the effort at the Calumet Farmers’ Market. When the dust cleared, we had raised over $1,200 between the two sales and moved more than 400 plants into local gardens.
Because so many plants are involved, it takes a lot of extra work to set up and orchestrate a mega sale. Many thanks to the volunteers who made it possible, including Polly Havins, Bill Deephouse, Sean Havins, Lynne Robertson, Emily Washeleski, Christa Walck, Michelle Morgan, Roz Heidtke, Kim Goffinet, and Jackie Manchester.
Fun at the Annual Meeting
Nearly 30 WOK members attended our Annual Meeting/Pizza Party Sept. 15 at Studio Pizza in Hancock. We slashed the usual agenda down to a (relatively) brief report by President Marcia Goodrich (pictured laughing) on the chapter’s accomplishments over the last 12 months. Highlights included our successful plant sales, garden giveaways, and dramatic progress in establishing our sponsored public gardens.
Both candidates for the chapter board of directors were reelected, including Marcia and David Hunter. The current slate of officers was also reelected for another year. In addition to Marcia, they include Vice President Karen Cayce, Secretary Sheri Hagwood, Treasurer Josh Roys, and Membership Chair Polly Havins.
Special thanks to the Hospitality Committee, which contributed a variety of homemade goodies, gluten free and otherwise.
Canterbury House Garden Is Thriving
After a mere three months in the ground, the native plants WOK awarded to Canterbury House have dashed through the “sleep” and “creep” stages of growth. Instead, the garden has charged full-blown into “leap,” with some plants bursting with blooms their first summer.
Missioner and chaplain Rick Stanitis holds the Keweenaw Wild Ones garden sign included with the free garden, a selection of plants for sandy soils purchased from U.P. Native Plants, of Marquette.
Canterbury House, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, is located across from Michigan Tech on College Avenue. It aims to create a welcoming place where international students and their spouses can get help improving their conversational English, reading, and writing skills. The Canterbury House staff also provides support services to students and the local community.
Talk Oct. 20 on the Flora of Isle Royale
Botanist Abraham Stone will give a talk, “The Flora of Isle Royale,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in room G002 at Michgan Tech’s U.J. Noblet Forestry Building.
Millions of years of geological activity, climate history, and human influence have created one of the most spectacular floristic assemblages in the Upper Midwest, whose protection and recognition is now more important than ever.
In his talk, Stone will describe the ecological history of Michigan’s sole national park, highlight some of its lovely and peculiar flora, and discuss why, botanically, there’s no place in the world like Isle Royale.
Show Me, Help Me Day Saturday, Oct. 3 in Chassell
A show me, help me day is set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Kim Goffinet’s home in Chassell. Members are invited to visit her property and advise on possible landscaping strategies. An email will be sent to members with more information.
Coming Nov. 10: The Most Important State Agency You’ve Never Heard Of
A 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 10, MNFI Director Michael Monfils will tell the story of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory on Zoom. This low-profile government agency is tasked with tracking Michigan’s natural heritage with the aim of conserving biodiversity and educating the public on the wonders of Michigan’s woods, waters, and much more.
Big Yanks at Co-op, Hancock Bike Trails
WOK members recently battled weeds at two of our adopted garden sites.
We tidied up the native garden in front of the Keweenaw Co-op for a couple of hours, and in return were treated to yummy, free sandwiches from the co-op’s excellent deli. Pictured are Marcia Goodrich, Jackie Manchester, Diane Opie, and Evan Lanese, just before we retired inside for lunch.
In addition, Roz Heidkte rallied the troops at the Hancock Bike Park to pull weeds that had sprouted from the compost provided by the City of Hancock. Volunteers included Ken and Theresa Farrish, Allyson Jabusch, Jackie Manchester, and Kristine Bradof, as well as Marcia an Roz.
Outreach to Youngsters at Keweenaw CAPE
Sheri Hagwood and Marcia Goodrich gave a lesson in native plants to about 20 youngsters at the Keweenaw CAPE summer school August 31 on the Quincy Green, in Hancock. The kids, from ~ grades one through six, demonstrated a solid understanding of the value of native plants to the environment, including their importance to birds and insects.
After the lesson, the kids potted their own lance-leaf coreopsis, donated by WOK, and made a bucket of doom to discourage mosquitos in Quincy Green.