Coming Up THIS Weekend!

“Highlights from the 2010 Environmental Film Festival”
Friday, April 30, 2010 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
at Sotterley Plantation

Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in presenting Ms. Flo Stone, President and Founder of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. She will highlight the 13 day program of the 2010 Festival with a special collection of film clips, a celebration of the diversity of outstanding environmental films. Clips to be featured at Sotterley will include selections from:
The Music Tree (a Festival award winner for artistry in film); Portrait films of distinguished writers of fiction and non-fiction (Peter Mattheissen and Frederic Back); A look at the remarkable Olympic Sculpture Garden in Seattle; Pearl Fryer’s topiary garden in Bishopville, South Carolina; A prize winning film about an orangutan - victim of forest destruction in Indonesia; Discussions with a family showing how they produce over 6,000 lbs. of homegrown organic crops on less than a quarter of an acre; Megamall explores the origins of the massive Palisades Center Mall built just north of Manhattan; Araya, a brilliant 1959 black & white film about the life of salt miners in Venezuela, winner of the International Prize at Cannes.
Stone’s extensive experience in film includes: public programs at the American Museum of Natural History, Founder of the Margaret Mead Film Festival, Film Chair for the Smithsonian’s Biodiversity Symposium, establishment of the Earthwatch Film Awards at the National Geographic, and preparation of filmographies for the Ocean exhibit at the Smithsonian and for the Festival of Indonesia.
Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.
FREE to the public. Call for Reservations: 301-373-2280.

THIS FRIDAY - join us!

Book Launch and Meet the Author
David G. Brown
Sotterley ~ Her People and Their Worlds

Sotterley Plantation is pleased to announce the book launch of David G. Brown’s new release of Sotterley ~ Her People and Their Worlds on Friday, April 23rd, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the historic Barn. All are invited to attend free of charge!

When right motives and a deep connection come together, good things happen. There are many who love Sotterley Plantation, and at long last a book has been written, honoring an integral part of her rich history–her people. David Brown, trustee and long-time interpreter for Historic Sotterley, Inc., not only committed himself to countless hours of research, pouring over documentation, conducting interviews, and compiling the collected data and material into the final book, but he and his wife, Erna are donating all of the proceeds of the book to Sotterley Plantation. “I love the place. I want to see this place succeed … to survive for future generations,” said Brown.

Sotterley ~ Her People and Their Worlds is available for purchase: $15 for Sotterley Members, $17 for Non-Members. To order, please contact: officemanager@sotterley.org, call 301-373-2280, or order online through our website: www.sotterley.org.

Day One of The Garden Fair!

I gave some consideration to writing about the first day of this two-day event, The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation, with the objective voice of a journalist. Let me admit that it was a passing thought of three seconds. There is no way I can attempt to write of Sotterley and this event in an objective manner, because of the deep connection I feel for this place, the absolute gratitude I have for all who make things happen on her behalf, and the tremendous joy this first day has carried.

There was an ease on the breeze! Everyone I had the opportunity to speak with today was filled with sunshine, smiles, and a lightness of spirit. As I strolled the magnificently groomed grounds - stopping along the way to chat with fellow staff, Board of Trustee members, the mighty force of Sotterley Volunteers, the Sotterley Garden Guild, Artisans, Presenters, Vendors, and multitudes of visitors - I was struck by the beauty. Sotterley is always beautiful, whether her gardens are in full bloom or she's under two feet of snow. The beauty I write of has more to do with a symphonic flow of goodness, engaging all of the senses.

Sotterley is a non-profit organization which received the distinction of being a National Historic Landmark at the turn of the century. She is part of out history, part of our today, and hopefully part of our future. She belongs to all of us. And today, all enjoyed the belonging.

To see children running along the front lawn flying kites, playing hide-and-seek among the gigantic ginger jar bushes, petting baby goats born just last night, learning about toys before the barrage of video games and beyond, choosing something to plant in the garden at their homes, and learning about why The Necessary was (and is) so necessary. Holding hands, one couple scoped out the site for their upcoming wedding and I overheard them sharing their vision. Parents were making birdhouses with their children and giggling like children. Artists would stop mid-brushstroke to share about their artwork. Post-lecture, many discussed what they learned with hopes of applying it. Garden Guild members not only sold plants, but offered sound advice.

And there was laughter. This is the magic of an extraordinary day in the history of an extraordinary place.

See you tomorrow (I hope!) at The Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation!

Gratefully,

Eileen Miller

Marketing Manager

Garden Fair - The Schedule!

Drawing from the successes of last year's Garden Fair (which was the first year for this event), with an additional slew of wonderments by Event Manager Linda Tucker, this year's Garden Fair will surely delight all! Our hope is that you and yours will join us!

Presentations on Saturday the 17th:

10:15 in the Barn: "Baywise: An Overview of Conservation Landscape Practices" by Linda Crandall, Master Gardener and St. Mary's County Baywise Coordinator

10:15 in the Warehouse: "Pruning Trees" by Dr. Frank Gouin, The Bay Gardener in "The Bay Weekly" and retired Chairman of the UMD Horticulture Department

11:00 at the Corn Crib: "Historic Tool Display Tours" by Pete Himmelheber, Sotterley Volunteer

11:30 in the Barn: KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Janet Draper, Horticulturist of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden at the Smithsonian Institution “The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden: Evolution of a Space”

11:30 in the Warehouse: “Ikebana: The Art of Japanese Flower Arranging” by Duffy Boyd, St. Mary’s County Garden Club

12:30 at the Rose Arbor Bell: "Sotterley Garden Tour" by Bob Aldridge, Sotterley Garden Guild Member

1:30 in the Barn: “Gardening with Native Plants" by Kurt Reitz, Master Gardener and Environmental Educator at Elms Environmental Education Center

1:30 in the Warehouse: “Kid’s Composting Chat” Linda Crandall, Master Gardener and St. Mary’s County Baywise Coordinator

2:00 at the Corn Crib: "Historic Tool Display Tours at The Corn Crib" by Pete Himmelheber, Sotterley Volunteer

2:45 in the Barn: “Creating Backyard Habitats – Butterflies & Birds” by Bob Boxwell, Executive Director, Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust

2:45 in the Warehouse: “Taking the Mystery Out of Growing Orchids” by Nancy Mountford, American Orchid Society

** Mansion Tours run every hour from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Discounted Price: $5.00 per person. Purchase Tickets at the Membership Tent. **

Presentations on Sunday the 18th:

11:00 in the Barn: “Lawns in Southern Maryland” by Richard Wentworth, Wentworth’s Nursery

11:00 in the Warehouse: “The Importance of Soil Testing & How to Take a Soil Sample” by Ben Beale, UMD Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources & Co-County Extension Director

12:00 at the Rose Arbor Bell: "Sotterley Garden Tour" by Bob Aldridge, Sotterley Garden Guild Member

1:00 in the Barn: “Gardens History ~ From Rocks to Riches on the Landscape” by Kate Meatyard Ingersoll, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at SMCM

1:00 in the Warehouse: “Flower and Garden Photography ~ Sotterley and more” by Bob Tinari, Professional Photographer

1:00 at the Corn Crib: "Historic Tool Display Tours" by Pete Himmelheber, Sotterley Volunteer

2:00 at the Corn Crib: "Historic Tool Display Tours" by Pete Himmelheber, Sotterley Volunteer

2:30 in the Barn: “Container Vegetable Gardening” by Jennifer Horton, UMD Extension Office, Master Gardener Coordinator

2:30 in the Warehouse: “Oyster Ranching in Southern Maryland” by Scott McGuire, Coastal Conservation Association

** Mansion Tours run every hour from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Discounted Price: $5.00 per person. Purchase Tickets at the Membership Tent. **

Other highlights:

Antique Toy Display

Bee Demo

Children's Crafts

Croquet on the Croquet Lawn

Kite Flying

Lunch in the Garden

Petting Zoo

Sotterley Museum Shop

Exhibitors:
Color & Light Society

Dept. of Natural Resources—Maryland Growing Oysters Program
Port of Leonardtown Winery

Treadles Studio

Sotterley Garden Guild

Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commission

Artisans:

Butterfly Creations Jewelry
Dish Water Blonde Pottery
The Happy Turner in Owings
MP Baskets
Shel Photography
Wild Willow Soap
Wisehearted Crafts

Vendors:

AMSOIL
Carroll’s Equipment
Cove Corporation
Fair Trade Winds
Farm Valley Nursery
Forever Eden
The Glass Garden Shoppe
Grizzly Mountain Grill
Sir Pop A Lot's Kettle Corn

Southern Maryland Audubon Society

Speaker Series Event: FLO STONE

“Highlights from the 2010 Environmental Film Festival”
Friday, April 30, 2010 7:00 p.m. in the Barn
at Sotterley Plantation

Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in presenting Ms. Flo Stone, President and Founder of the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital. She will highlight the 13 day program of the 2010 Festival with a special collection of film clips, a celebration of the diversity of outstanding environmental films. Clips to be featured at Sotterley will include selections from:

The Music Tree (a Festival award winner for artistry in film); Portrait films of distinguished writers of fiction and non-fiction (Peter Mattheissen and Frederic Back); A look at the remarkable Olympic Sculpture Garden in Seattle; Pearl Fryer’s topiary garden in Bishopville, South Carolina; A prize winning film about an orangutan - victim of forest destruction in Indonesia; Discussions with a family showing how they produce over 6,000 lbs. of homegrown organic crops on less than a quarter of an acre; Megamall explores the origins of the massive Palisades Center Mall built just north of Manhattan; Araya, a brilliant 1959 black & white film about the life of salt miners in Venezuela, winner of the International Prize at Cannes.

Stone’s extensive experience in film includes: public programs at the American Museum of Natural History, Founder of the Margaret Mead Film Festival, Film Chair for the Smithsonian’s Biodiversity Symposium, establishment of the Earthwatch Film Awards at the National Geographic, and preparation of filmographies for the Ocean exhibit at the Smithsonian and for the Festival of Indonesia.

Because of the generous grant and continued support from The Boeing Company, Sotterley Plantation is able to offer this important community outreach, fulfilling its mission of serving as an educational resource and cultural venue while it seeks to preserve, interpret and research the plantation’s diverse cultures and environments through its history.

FREE to the public. Call for Reservations: 301-373-2280.

Who doesn't like a Petting Zoo?

Let’s Go Fly a Kite! and more
The Second Annual Garden Fair
at Sotterley Plantation
April 17th & 18th, 2010
10 am – 4 pm

Announcing NEW additions to The Second Annual Garden Fair at Sotterley Plantation, which will take place the weekend of April 17th and 18th, 2010 from 10am – 4pm!

Our Keynote Speaker is Janet Draper, Horticulturist of the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden at the Smithsonian Institution. Her presentation, “The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden: Evolution of a Space” will cover all that has been accomplished at this magnificent site from the 1890’s to present day.

Surely to please children of all ages is the addition of a Petting Zoo – and who doesn’t like a petting zoo? And a few steps away, there will be an incredible Antique Toy Display complete with John Deere trains, trucks, and tractors from year’s past. With the right amount of wind, kites will soar above the field!

The entire site will be a flurry of activity: Presentations on everything from Orchid Growing to Oyster Ranching by SMCM and UMD Professors, Environmental Experts, and Master Gardeners. Pick up a mallet and play croquet on the Croquet Lawn. Shop the booths abundant with beautiful hand-crafted wares by local Artisans. Check out the Going Green! and eco-friendly exhibits. Take a tour through the magnificent Colonial Revival Gardens. Children are welcome to craft birdhouses, birdfeeders, and paper flowers. Enjoy lunch in the garden. Pick up some lovely additions for your garden at the Sotterley Garden Guild plant sale.

Admission is $7 for one day; $10 for a two day pass (Sotterley Members free the second day); Children under 12 FREE.