Membership: The Heart of Greenwood When we formally opened our gates to the public in 2013, we knew that a robust membership program was Photo: Erica Moffitt a key to Greenwood’s long-term success. Drawing in a community of people committed to maintaining an on-going relationship would help us create a strong foundation on which to build for the future.
day and Sunday from May through November. In addition, members receive invitations to special membersonly events; advance notice of and discounted tickets to a wide range of programs, workshops and signature events; reciprocal membership benefits at more than 300 gardens; a 20% discount from White Flower Farm catalog and more! With these tangible benefits comes the opportunity to experience Greenwood’s personalized approach to building relationships with our members. “The spirit of this unique garden fills me with peace every time I visit. It’s wonderful to interact with a community of folks dedicated to making sure Greenwood
Photo: Anna Herbst
Our goal was to respond in kind by offering a valuable set of programs, events and benefits that would entice members to return again and again. Today, we are proud to report that membership remains at the heart of all that Greenwood does to connect people with nature in our historic garden oasis. Greenwood offers members a wide range of ways to experience the Garden. At every level, members gain free entrance on open days throughout the season – Thursday, Friday, Satur-
Photo: Anna Herbst
garden, participating in one of our many year-round workshops and programs, attending a special event, or simply feeling part of a community, there is something for everyone at Greenwood. We think of membership as an ever-expanding circle and encourage you to invite your family and friends to join us. It’s easy to do simply visit our website, greenwoodgardens.org, fill in the form on page seven, or email smurphy@greenwoodgardens.org.
INSIDE continues to enrich people’s lives for years to come,” says member, E. J. Paine. Whether you have an interest in taking a relaxing stroll through the
Greenwood-Inspired Gifts for Everyone!
VISIT OUR HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP See Page 7 for Details
Season Highlights 2 Letters 3 Spotlight 4 New Advisory Board 4 Volunteer News 5 Peter’s Journal 5 In the Garden 6 Support Greenwood 6 Membership Matters 7 Save the Date! 8
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS The Fall was jam-packed with a wide range of entertaining and educational programs that drew an enthusiastic response from the Greenwood community. On September 7, we welcomed
Lori Belilove & the Isadora Duncan Dance Company for a magical evening of modern dance on the Terrace Lawn. Sponsored by the Birney Family and Stone Mountain Properties, the event honored the memory of Leeshan and Mayling Birney.
l. to r.: Founders Peter and Sofia Blanchard; sponsors Ceyan (holding Celine) and Cynthia Birney; Trustee Andrew Permison Photo: Joy Yagid
Following their performance, the dancers led children through the garden.
Our Chinese Cultural Evening on September 23
Photo: Wei You and Na Li
L. to r.: Mayor Cheryl Burstein; Dilys So; Xiaoxian Li Chan; Bob Redden; and Peter Liu. Photo: Wei You and Na Li
celebrated the food, tea, music and dance culture of China. Guests learned the art of Ikebana, watched a martial arts performance, listened to Leslie Parness’ lecture, The Green Heart of Beijing, and enjoyed moon cakes, all made possible by sponsors Xiaoxian Li Chan, Peter Liu, and John and Simon Westfall-Kwong.
The Garden was aflutter with arts and crafts, music, animals, and interactive learning for all at our annual Bees,
Birds & Butterflies Day
on September 30. Over 450 children, parents and grandparents enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon that culminated in a much-anticipated butterfly release, all thanks to a dedicated volunteer committee and generous sponsors.
Photo: Michael Tschappat
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Jon Michaud, Millburn Free Public Library, read to children during story time.
We were delighted to partner with Chatham-based Lyrica Chamber Music to present on October 7 an Evening with DECODA, the first Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall. Three of the group’s dynamic young virtuosos performed an eclectic program for strings and winds, made possible with the generous support of Carl R. Woodward III, Greenwood Trustee and President of Lyrica, and his wife Kathy.
Gathered sponsors, volunteers and performers included, standing, l. to r.: Stephanie Murphy; Margot O’Neill; Saul Simon, Lincoln Financial; Gary Shilling. A. Gary Shilling & Co.; Louise Moos; James Weill, James Weill & Associates; Barbara Ciavarella; Nancy Dougherty, Studio1200; Tara Prupis, Green Nectar Juicery; Abby O’Neill; Maggee Miggins, Maggee Miggins Group; Tom Dougherty, McCarter & English. Kneeling, l. to r.: Kim Shafer, Roberta Foster, and Terry Moore, The Hospitality Band, Ceil Maher (the Bee) Photo: Erica Moffitt
C HA IR M A N’S L ET T E R
Photo: Joy Yagid
Hello Everyone, As much as some of us might desire to “pump the brakes” in order to stop summer from slipping away, the gardens have another message for us. It is in the gradual shift - the push and pull of the seasons - that Greenwood’s essential magic lies. One season can sidestep into another, advance and retreat, and run counter to expectations. Based on my own memories of Greenwood from about 1960 through the 1980s, peak autumn leaf color on the grounds and in South Mountain Reservation occurred around October 20th. At present, the peak of fall foliage appears to have shifted toward later October and even early November. I like to describe the final burst of color in November as the “after burn.”
Seasonal changes can signal challenges. Delayed leaf drop in autumn, extended dry spells, increasingly higher temperatures in summer, flooding and the loss of trees during intense storms all point to large scale shifts in the environment. Just as Greenwood brings us a deeper enjoyment of nature, the gardens can also provide us with a “listening post,” a place to observe and ponder our relationship with, and responsibility for, the earth and its inhabitants.
Peter P. Blanchard III, Chairman, Board of Trustees
SCAVENGER HUNT Can You Spot The Rookwood Squirrels?
EXE CU TIV E D IR EC TOR ’S L ET TER Dear Friends,
Photo: Jacqueline O’Neill
There has been a growing sense of excitement here at Greenwood! This fall we’ve welcomed hundreds of guests of all ages for educational, entertaining and delightful programs including Lori Belilove & the Isadora Duncan Dancers, a Chinese Cultural Evening, Bees, Birds & Butterflies, Lyrica’s DECODA Chamber Music Concert, Twilight Tours with our founder Peter P. Blanchard III, bird watches with NJ Audubon naturalist Dave Hall, plant walks with Head of Horticulture Sonia Uyterhoeven, and more. Add to this a steady flow of guests enjoying the restorative effects of simply strolling through our gardens, followed by a stop at our newly opened Adelaide’s Café for a cup of coffee and a snack, confirms it has been a successful season for Greenwood Gardens and a sign of more to come!
A treasure trove of colorful Rookwood ceramic tiles and ornaments embellish Greenwood Gardens’ buildings and garden features—including two handsome squirrels busy gathering nuts for the winter. Find both the cobalt blue and gold squirrels while visiting the gardens before Sunday, November 18 at 5:00 p.m. and tell us where they are to receive a prize! Hint: Look up…waaay up high!
Thanks to the generosity of a loyal donor, we’ve embarked upon a project to increase our parking capacity and make our entry process more efficient and safer. As we head into 2019, our hearts are full, and we anticipate welcoming you back to experience the magic of Greenwood Gardens in new and interesting ways! Warm regards,
Abby O’Neill Executive Director GREENWOOD news
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S P OT L I G H T
Carl R. Woodward III, Trustee The axiom, “friends bring friends,” led to the fortunate circumstance of Carl R. Woodward III’s membership on Greenwood’s Board of Trustees. About ten Photo: Vicki Johnson years ago, Arthur T. Vanderbilt II, long-serving Trustee, said to his then law partner at Carella Byrne, “Carl, we’re looking to get more people involved.” Arthur brought Carl and his wife Kathy to the annual Jazz Picnic which led them to become members and three years ago, an invitation to Carl to join Greenwood’s Board. “I just love the grounds and am very excited about encouraging people to come to Greenwood to walk in nature, find peace, quiet and explore new opportunities,” says Carl. He also serves as a member of Greenwood’s Governance Committee and as co-chair, with Arthur, of the Advisory Board. A former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey where he also headed the Office’s Environmental Protection Division, Carl spent many years prosecuting polluters, so it’s not surprising that his interest in nature and the envi-
ronment piqued his interest in Greenwood. Combined with his passion for travelling, Carl’s serious pursuit of birding has led him on journeys throughout the United States, Europe and South America. He’ll be sharing his vast knowledge with the Greenwood community at his November 18 workshop, “How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard.” He and Kathy have successfully attracted a wide range of species to their own backyard this past summer including chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, Baltimore orioles, hummingbirds, bluebirds, Carolina and house wrens, cardinals, rose breasted grosbeaks and various woodpeckers, to name just a few. As a civic-minded member of the community, Carl also serves on other non-profit boards including Lyrica Chamber Music, located in his hometown of Chatham, NJ, of which he is the current chairman, and which satisfies his keen devotion to music. Thanks to Carl’s involvement, Lyrica brought DECODA, Carnegie Hall’s Affiliate Ensemble, to Greenwood for a magical evening in the garden on October 7. It is a perfect example of his interest in helping others explore new opportunities and, how friends beget friends!
Greenwood Welcomes A New Advisory Board Greenwood is pleased to announce the formation of an Advisory Board, consisting of 17 accomplished individuals who represent a diverse set of experiences. The group is an outgrowth of Greenwood’s 2017-2023 Strategic Plan which calls for the broadening of our organizational network. Led by Trustees Carl R. Woodward III and Arthur T. Vanderbilt II, the group has expertise in a wide range of fields including: architecture, business, education, environmental stewardship and sustainability, finance, financial analysis, fine arts, garden club management and programming, historic preservation, land conservation, landscape history and horticulture, medical research, plant conservation, philanthropy, public relations and marketing, real estate, and state and local government. Members include: James Barrett Ceyan Birney Ruthi Byrne Michael Catania Patti Donovan Nancy Dougherty
Geralyn Hagemann Peter Kellogg Janine Luke Lynn Magrane Marta McDowell Pat McGinley
Mary McNett Linda Nortillo Maureen Ogden Marilyn Pfaltz Stephen Sanborn
Pictured, left to right: Top row: Peter Kellogg, Geralyn Hagemann, Rachel Harris (niece of Janine Luke). 2nd row: Ceyan Birney, Lynn Magrane, Marta McDowell. 3rd row: Nancy Dougherty, Ruthi Byrne, Mary McNett. Bottom row: Maureen Ogden, Marilyn Pfaltz, Janine Luke, Steve Sanborn, Pat McGinley, Jim Barrett, Arthur Vanderbilt (grey sweater) Photo: Vicki Johnson
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VOLUNTEER NEWS
The Green Team Wins Top Award On June 2, 2018, Greenwood’s Green Team Volunteers were awarded the PSEG Environmental Stewardship award medal during the 2018 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Awards presentation ceremony at the Trenton War Memorial. Considered America’s highest honor for public service and volunteerism, the Jefferson Awards highlight the spirit of civic engagement among New Jersey’s 1.5 million volunteers in 22 categories of volunteer service. Our nomination application read in part: “Without Greenwood’s volunteers, it would be nearly impossible to maintain our gardens at a level that meets the expectations of the visiting public…Their service has made it possible for thousands of visitors to derive peace and inspiration by connecting people with nature in this historic garden oasis.” Top right photo: Accepting the award on behalf of the entire Green Team: Greenwood Gardens founder, Peter P. Blanchard III, Green Team founder Lezette Proud, and Stephanie Murphy, Greenwood Gardens’ Manager, Programs and Public Engagement. Photo: Russ DeSantis Right photo: Representing the Greenwood Gardens Green Team from left to right: Elizabeth Shepherd, Betty Round, Gina Biglin, Linda Rubin, Ann Tomea, John Mutascio, Joyce Bertner, Theodor Kundtz, Peter Kolonia, Lezette Proud, Karen Kratina, Xiuqin Zhai, Lina Bao, Jeanne Weill, Holly Ellerbusch. Photo: Sonia Uyterhoeven
PETER’S JOURNAL Peter P. Blanchard III, Founder & Naturalist
Love In The Garden—What Webs We Weave Nature reveals her secrets to those capable of being surprised and delighted by the momentary glimpses she affords. The backdrop of the garden, with its landscaped order and design, tends to amplify those moments of epiphany when they occur. One Sunday morning, while my son Theo and I spent time working together in the garden, my peripheral vision caught sight of silken threads suspended between two branches of the boxwood hedge near the Teahouse. A female spider of unknown species was perched high up on the threads of her small web, and below her was what appeared to be a trapped insect. On closer inspection, I noticed that this minute creature (1/10th the size of the female) was actually ascending toward her - but the female spider, a formidable predator - -did not attack! The climbing creature also had eight legs, a characteristic of spiders, instead of six, characteristic of insects. I soon realized it was a male approaching his “bride”. As Theo and I watched,
the male quickly positioned himself under the female’s abdomen, accomplished his “mission” and descended. The male’s ascent to the female, followed by a retreat down the ladder, was repeated three times. According to arachnologists (students of spiders), the creatures use several modes of communication to coordinate mating, including auditory and visual signaling. Apparently, his signals to her were received, given that the male performed his function and survived. This high drama, occurring some four feet above the ground, points to a broader theme. Greenwood is full of unexpected and curious experiences, if we are open to them. My advice to all visitors, regardless of the initial reason for the visit to Greenwood: be curious when in nature, revel in the revelations! Drawing: Peter P. Blanchard III GREENWOOD news
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IN THE GARDEN
Sonia Uyterhoeven ~ Head of Horticulture British paleobotanist Sir Albert Seward paid homage in 1938 to the Ginkgo biloba tree when he wrote, “It appeals to the historic soul: we see it as an emblem of changelessness…” Gingkos grew during the Permian Period 270 million years ago and have graced Chinese and Japanese temples since 1100 AD. Introduced to the Continent in 1691, they were brought to the States in 1784 by William Hamilton for his garden in Philadelphia. From the ‘Birthplace of America’ they rapidly spread up the East Coast growing comfortably in many urban environments.
from a witches’ broom-a genetic deformity that altered the structure of the plant into its compact form-‘Mariken’ was discovered in the Netherlands in the 1990’s and is named after ‘little Mary’ of Nijmegen, a medieval heroine who is celebrated for redemption after her exploits with the devil. Ginkgos are known for their stunning golden fall foliage, exquisite leaves, deer and disease resistance, and their tolerance of air pollution. When shopping for ginkgos, purchase a male; the female counterpart of this dioecious tree produces smelly, fleshy fruit.
Ginkgos in their glorious fall foliage at the east end of the Main Allée. Photo: Vicki Johnson.
Several striking ginkgos grow in Greenwood Gardens. Its common name, “maidenhair tree,” refers to the fact that its leathery fan - shaped foliage resembles the leaflets (pinnae) on the maidenhair fern (Adiantum). A mature specimen can grow 50-80 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Prominently displayed on our main lawn are several dwarf maidenhair trees, Ginkgo biloba ‘Mariken’. This unusual cultivar grows three feet tall and up to eight feet wide. Cultivated
The dwarf Ginkgo biloba Mariken grows 2-3 feet tall and can spread up to 8 feet wide. Photo: Vicki Johnson.
S U P P O RT G R E E N WO O D G A R D E N S The Grow Greenwood Fund is the focus of our ongoing efforts to raise philanthropic support, above and beyond membership, so that we can maintain our beautiful gardens and historic facilities, as well as provide exciting programs in horticulture, land conservation, history and the arts. With your continued support of the Grow Greenwood Fund, we can ensure we accomplish our mission of connecting people with nature in an historic garden oasis for generations to come. We hope you will keep this in mind when you receive our end-of-year appeal in the coming weeks and consider making a gift by December 31st .
“Greenwood Gardens is a breathtaking garden respite in the midst of the hustle and bustle of northern New Jersey. If you need a place to slow down and feel like you’ve gone back in time, this is the place.”
TripAdvisor Review
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VISIT OUR HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP Featuring Greenwood-Inspired Gifts For Everyone on Your List Members Preview: Thursday, November 29, Noon to 5:00 p.m. Open to All: Friday, November 30, Thursday, December 6, Friday December 7, Noon to 5:00 p.m.
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elect from an array of unique items for those on your list, including adorable toys, stationary, Rookwood ceramics and, for a limited time only, Gingko Wearable Art, made from our very own gingko leaves! Adorn your home with greenery cut from our gardens. Boughs of evergreen, holly, incense cedar and juniper will add a festive flare to your holiday décor.
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MEMBERSHIP Matters
Enjoy the Benefits of Membership While Supporting Greenwood Gardens Your membership in Greenwood links you to a like-minded community of supporters who identify with our mission and provides you with a unique set of valuable benefits including: • Free admission during our regular hours • Invitations to special members-only events and programs • Advance notice/discounted tickets to a wide range of programs, workshops and other signature events • Recognition of your generous support in Greenwood News • Benefits at more than 300 participating
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gardens and arboreta nationwide through the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program A subscription to either Better Homes & Gardens or Martha Stewart Living magazine through the American Public Gardens Association 20% discount on orders from White Flower Farm catalog
Consider giving a gift of Greenwood Membership to friends and family! Complete the form below or call 973-258-4026, ext. 10 for more information. ___Individual $60 ___Contributor $100 ___Benefactor $250
___Patron $500 ___Greenwood Society $1,000 ___Garden Fellow $5,000
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274 Old Short Hills Road Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 greenwoodgardens.org 973.258.4026 Greenwood Gardens’ mission is to connect people with nature in an historic garden oasis.
PLAN YOUR VISIT NOW
To Learn more about upcoming programs and events, visit greenwoodgardens.org GENERAL ADMISSION (May–November) Hours: Thursday 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Friday 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Saturday 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Sunday 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Members: Free Adults $10.00 Seniors (65+) $5.00 Students with ID $5.00 Children under 12 Free
Board of Trustees
Greenwood Gardens is one of only 16 gardens endorsed by the Garden Conservancy, a national, nonprofit organization founded to help preserve America’s most exceptional gardens.
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Funding for the restoration of Greenwood Gardens has been made possible in part by the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust/State of New Jersey.
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SAVE THE DATE! June 6, 2019
Spring Benefit & Luncheon Honoring Patti Donovan Photo: courtesy of Patti Donovan
Greenwood Friend and Supporter
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PHOTO: VICKI JOHNSON
Elaine Becker Peter P. Blanchard III Sofia Blanchard Tim Hartman Henry P. Johnson Cynnie Kellogg Louise Moos Andrew Permison Lezette G. Proud Arthur T. Vanderbilt II Carl R. Woodward III
Pr iew Da
Interested in Volunteering? Call 973-258-4026 x 10 or email smurphy@greenwoodgardens.org