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2008 Wakefield Estate Intern crew makes “inroads”

This summer the Wakefield Estate has been fortunate to have an energetic crew of 9 summer interns  from Milton and other communities.

 

The interns have worked on a wide variety of projects including weeding invasives, rehabbing various “garden rooms,” pruning, hauling, and creating trails within our successional woodland.

 

The crew is headed up by two “Junior Supervisors”, Ben Albarelli and Paul Girouard, and is made up of Jaime Albarelli, Andrew Corley, Maggie Hutchinski, Imar Iyanu, Anwar Luckman, Nelly Paez, and Mairead Reilly.

 

Several of the interns are headed off to colleges in the fall, while others will be returning to their senior year at their respective schools.

On August 9th, the Wakefield Charitable Trust hosted a workshop on tree health led by Dave Ropes from Tree Specialists Inc.  After an engaging power-point presentation and discussion, Dave and the Wakefield staff led the participants on a tour of the estate to view a wide variety of trees and discuss a number of  factors related to keeping them healthy.  Issues covered included soil management, pruning, pest control, irrigation and the natural life cycles and processes of trees.  

Learning about Tree Health at the Wakefield Estate

Wet and Wild Weather does not deter the “Birds and Bees” event

September 14, a soggy Sunday morning, local birding expert Patty O’Neill led a bird walk through the estate, focusing on areas she has seen activity over the past year of monitoring the estate’s bird population. Due to the rain, there was not much bird activity, but the tough group that braved the bad weather had a tour of the estate and Erica Max, our landscape supervisor, filled them in about the history of the areas visited.

 

Later in the morning, Beekeeper Scott Harris discussed his experience beekeeping at the Wakefield Estate. He described the growth of the bee hive over the past 5 months, demonstrated a brief hive inspection and talked about next steps in preparing the hive for the winter. The stalwart participants were rewarded with a take-home sample of honey harvested from Scott’s Wakefield Estate hive.

Teachers from Sarah Greenwood School take time out

to explore ways to let their students explore Wakefield Estate

On August 26th, several dozen teachers from Boston Public’s Sarah Greenwood School visited the Wakefield Estate for a retreat to explore ways the K-8 teachers could use the site in conjunction with their classes. After an extended tour of areas that have already been used for educational purposes, the teachers participated in a scavenger hunt and brainstormed in groups.

Thacher Adolescents Plant Ahead for Springtime Beauty

On Friday, October 24, students from the Adolescent Program at Thacher Montessori planted spring bulbs in the “Front Garden” of the Wakefield Estate. In Spring, this formal hedged garden is one of the most beautiful areas at the property with the early blooms of the red and white Cercis Canadensis (redbud), azaleas, and spring ephemerals including Virginia bluebells, mayapple, Jack-in-the-pulpit and trillium. The daffodils planted by the students will add to the tulip and tiger lily bulbs still present from Polly Wakefield’s work in this area, and will create an amazing springtime display.

Fall Brings Out Some of the Estate’s Most Stunning Displays

October 20—This year’s spectacular Fall foliage is a reminder that the Estate is stunningly beautiful throughout the year. Currently and through the November 20, we have open hours Thursday afternoons for visitors to enjoy a self-guided walk among the gardens, orchard or woodland. Guided tours are available at 4:00. See our calendar page for updates.

On October 30, 25 8th graders from the Sarah Greenwood school in Dorchester came to the estate to do community service, planting seven new apple trees and bulbs. After completing the project, the students enjoyed a pizza lunch. After lunch, there was time for a tour of the site and a scavenger hunt.

 

It was an amazing day and we are grateful for their help, and happy they had a chance to enjoy the estate.

 

 

Sarah Greenwood 8th Graders Plant Trees and Memories

The remarks the Sarah Greenwood students left in our guest book were telling of their experience.

 

Here are just a few:

"This was very fun and I learned a lot." 

             - Frankie

 

"I learned about our history, trees, and soil. This was a great experience and I hope to come back soon."

              -Diana

 

"I had lots of fun and I hope to come here again in a few years and see my tree again." 

             - Marilyn

 

"I have learned a lot and helped make new life."

             - Daniel

 

Their comments made us remember Polly's "Platform," in which she writes:  "For those who want it, there should be a small plot of land to use through the seasons, to sit under a tree, to grow vegetables or flowers, to pick his own fruit." We like to think Polly enjoyed looking down on her apple orchard filled with young people and smiled...