Memorial Books now in Library

The books donated by the IGC to the Ipswich Public Library in memory of Louise Johnson, Lucy Richardson and Margaret Austen are now on display.

Do check them out on the left near the entrance to the Reference Room.

"Bulbs and Blooms-Early Botanists at the Cape of Good Hope

Therese Benadé Armstrong presented the history and natural beauty of her former country, South Africa, on Tuesday, March 22nd. In her presentation "Bulbs and Blooms", Therese educated and entertained us with the exotic flora of of the Cape area--now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Therese highlighted the geography and climate of the area and the history of Dutch botanists who brought their keen interest and love of bulbs with them to Africa.

King Protea

Bouquets by Therese

Therese's lively, personal and extensively documented presentation contrasted historical maps and botanical prints with actual photos of particularly unique and beautiful sites and plants. She furnished us with stunning books of South African botanical prints and even three fresh bouquets of different varieties of the Protea flower. The King Protea is the national flower of South Africa.



Janet Craft began the meeting with a short update on the
Washington St. project and Laurie Matson began a sign-up for "Dig Days" on Sat. April 23rd, Sat. April 30th and Sun. May 1st.

Ray Morely provided hospitality at his Ipswich B & B on East Street. Thanks to Deb Blagg who hosted the meeting along with Ray.

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CAN YOU DIG IT!!!

Hello Everyone,

These are the Dig Days for the Plant Sale on May 14th:
Saturday, April 23rd (Easter is the 24th)
Saturday, April 30th
Sunday, May 1st

We are identifying the 4 or 5 likely sites.

Please tell us which days you might be able to DIG ~ usually 2 hrs. in the morning in happy packs. It's really fun for a variety of reasons, and each year we reap hundreds of beautiful plants which we need for the sale.

Thank you,
Laurie Matson and Laurie McAleer

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." George Santayana

Taking a Stand on Washington St. Project

Janet Taisey Craft
62 East Street
Ipswich, MA 01938
978-356-0334 jtcraft@comcast.net

March 5, 2011

Charles Surpitski, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
Town of Ipswich
Ipswich, MA 01938

RE: Washington Street Project

Dear Mr. Surpitski,

I am writing to the Board to express my concern regarding the planning and scope of work for the Washington Street Project. Of particular concern is the planned removal of twenty (20) mature trees from the streetscape.
As President of the Ipswich Garden Club, I represent an organization that for eighty-one years has devoted its efforts to the beautification and environmental preservation of our town. The planting and preservation of trees has been an important mission of the Garden Club. In 1976, a trust was established, The Helen W. Ross Fund, for the sole purpose of purchasing, planting and maintaining trees and other plantings for the beautification of the Town of Ipswich. Since that time over a hundred trees have been planted in the town along streetscapes to enhance the beauty and provide shade.
The Washington Street Project specifies the removal of twenty trees. These are mature trees that are over thirty years old and provide a beautiful canopy and add to the aesthetic beauty of the streetscape. The plan calls for re-planting new trees. But new trees will take twenty to thirty years to mature if they survive. The survival rate for the first three- four years of streetscape trees can be as low as 10%.
I request that the Board defer final action on the Washington Street Project until alternatives can be explored to save the trees. Several members of the Ipswich Garden Club with landscape design expertise can be helpful to the town and are planning to attend your March 7th meeting. I also request that no final action be taken until the Town’s Shade Tree and Beautification Committee (of which I am a member) can review the plan and make their recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.

Cordially,


Janet Taisey Craft
President, Ipswich Garden Club
Member, Ipswich Shade Tree and Beautification Committee

Update on Washington Street

Hello Everyone,
Town Manager Robert Markel gave a presentation at our Board Meeting on Tuesday evening regarding the Washington Street Project.
Board members expressed concerns about the removal of 20 mature trees along Washington Street.  It is on the agenda this Monday, March 7th at 7pm at the Selectmen's Meeting to have a final discussion of the project. 

If any of you are concerned PLEASE try to attend and speak about the preservation of the trees.

Here is information from Alicia Moore who has been following this project with great concern:

The detailed plan is on the town's excellent website:  www.ipswichma.gov  Click on "Washington Street project" for the plan which runs to several pages, can be enlarged and examined for details.  Circles with an "X" indicate the trees which will be "X" by this time next year.  Note that a few are labeled " with owners permission". 
The water line to be replaced appears to run down the middle of the street. 
Nowhere to be seen is a glossy, architect's - style 3-D rendering hinting how Washington Street will look after this upheaval.
I understand next Monday Selectman's meeting is the final discussion of the project.  Alicia.

 I will be out of town next Monday, but I'm hoping some of you can attend and represent the Garden Club and our horticultural interests in the town.
thank you
Janet

Congratulations Therese!

Therese took the Oath of Citizenship on February 23rd!