Another Green Grant Program

We are planning a special program to finish up the grant year: Mount Washington: Home of the World's Worst Weather to take place Sept. 25 at 7 PM. Eric Pinder, who worked as a weather observer at the Observatory for seven years, describes the joys and terrors of living in the clouds and explains Mount Washington's geology and weather. The Observatory crew find much to enjoy in their icy home - even when it means dealing with 100 mph winds, wandering moose, and odd questions from visitors (Can you see New Hampshire from here?"). Of course, they are also treated to spectacular sunsets, spine-tingling thunderstorms, and breathtaking toboggan runs. For Boston Globe articles go to The Boston Globe (Proquest) and key in "Eric Pinder." You can also visit Eric's homepage to learn more about him: www.ericpinder.com 

Gardening Successes and Failures

Every year the garden yields many surprises.  My tomatoes, beets and peppers were superior to last year.  Also, I have been so pleased with the fingerling potatoes! Last night I put them on the grill and they were perfect.

But I confess that I had to water so much, the squash bugs got ahead of me. I've had a crop failure. (Luckily, I planted squash in Vermont also.)   I guess mild winters, hot summers, extra mulch and my lack of fast action all contributed to this horrific infestation.  For more information about squash bugs and how to deal with them go to Gardening, Landscape and Horticulture Collection and search for squash bugs.

Keeping plastic straws out of organic waste

This is a reminder to all our Hamilton and Wenham friends, that plastic straws should not be included in organic waste.  Milo Cress at age 9 urged many restaurants in Vermont to not give straws out automatically with drinks.  Though not a ban on straws entirely, this practice encourages a huge reduction of plastic straws landing needlessly in the landfill.  Read more about Milo at Be Straw Free or this article from The Christian Science Monitor.