Williamson Chamber of Commerce Information

Hello Fellow Gardeners!

I don't know about you but my garden has just BURST into color. Every day I go out and it looks like yet another flower has burst into bloom. It's completely chaotic as I have not gotten to weeding yet (as those who are coming over on Wednesday will see) but I'm really enjoying the color and fragrances. I forget how wonderful the roses smell when they start blooming.

I've been receiving updates from the CoC as we are now members. I'm going to post them on our website but there were a few that I thought might be interesting. I'm going to combine them into one email for your convenience.

1. SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY PROJECT
The BID and CofC have received the go ahead to have the east side of the old Chinese restaurant painted. We feel that this project will benefit the overall look of the downtown area.

The project relies on support and donations from businesses, Churches, community members and organizations. The donation requested would be to submit to the BID (Mike Orr) the cost of one (1) gallon of paint. The support would be to help prep and paint.

This is a simple project if we get enough involvement. It will not fall on the shoulders of a few if everyone can offer something. One hour of your time during the day or at night after work to scrap or paint is all we are asking from each person. Don't have time for that then donate a gallon of paint.

This project will happen over a period of time. Please contact Mike Orr of the BID or Lorraine Mason of the CofC with questions, offers of help, etc.

SUBRATA: I would like us to, at minimum, donate paint for the project. If anyone sees a problem with that, let me know. We currently have over $1,000 in our bank account. If there is interest, we could set up a "Garden Club" night where members get together to help with painting.

2. The Chamber would like to communicate with as many of members as possible. If you are interested in community happenings, business news, etc. please send your name and associated email address to WilliamsonCofC [at] aol.com with the above requested information.

3. Governor Paterson's Economic Security Cabinet is pleased to announce Regional Town Hall Meetings to receive comments on New York State's efforts to protect and enhance the economic security of low-income families. In this national economic downturn, Governor Paterson has charged his Economic Security Cabinet with exploring opportunities to support struggling low-income families. These Town Hall meetings will provide an opportunity to hear about the State's commitment to protecting and enhancing economic security. Suggestions from employers, labor representatives, researchers, advocates, and the general public are a vital part of this effort, and interested individuals are invited to provide written submissions and/or 3 minutes of in-person testimony.
Further information about the Economic Security Cabinet and the regional Town Hall meetings – and registration information for the meetings - can be obtained at the Economic Security Cabinet website – http://economicsecurity.us. All meetings will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and end at 7:00 PM. June 25 Finger Lakes Region – Rochester City Hall.
To register for any of the Economic Security Cabinet town hall meetings or reserve a few minutes to speak, please visit the Cabinet's web site at http://economicsecurity.us

Happy Gardening!
Subrata

Upcoming Events - Cornell Cooperative Wayne County

Wednesday, March 19, at 7 p.m.: Join the Sodus Garden Club for apresentation "All About Bees" from Wayne County Master Gardener Mary Moss.She plans to cover the latest information on CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) and what it means on a local level as well as world-wide, thedifferentiation of bees that visit our gardens, what to do when you findany of them hanging around, how you can attract honeybees and bumblebees while keeping the nasty pests at bay, and the organization of honeybees inthe hive. Her presentation display will include color charts and prints,the major woodenware components of a hive body as well as a bee suit andother beekeeping paraphernalia.
Location: Sodus Parish Center

Thursday, March 20th from 11am to noon: a FREE presentation on growingfruit in home gardens. Lori Bushway from the Cornell University Horticulture Department will discuss growing different types of small fruit with a focus on bramblesand blueberries. There will be time for your questions as well!
Location: Wayne County Cooperative Extension, 1581 Rte 88 North, Newark
Please call (315) 331-8415 to reserve your spot.

Tuesday, March 25th at 7pm: Join the Williamson Garden Club for apresentation from Wayne County Master Gardeners, Bonny Gordon and Jim Oliver. Learn about reclaiming overgrown foundation plantings and blending them with other plants to create a landscape that you’ll be able to enjoy for years to come.
Location: Williamson Public Library

Saturday, May 10th from 8:00 am to noon: Master Gardener Plant Sale (plants provided by local nurseries and from Master Gardener’s private collections)
Location: Wayne County Cooperative Extension, 1581 Rte 88 North, Newark

Mark Your Calendars for May!

Hi Fellow Gardeners -

Due to problems with the yahoo e-mail account, we've switched email addresses. Our new address is grow14589@gmail.com
Also, we have started a blog where we keep updated information on events. You can check us out at http://grow-thewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com/.

We had an amazing April event. Lorraine and Doug Mason, of Mason Farms, shared their secrets of creating a fast and easy planter as well as other tips to keeping gardening simple and easy (while still getting great results). We followed the discussion up with a walk through their new gorgeous greenhouse. It definitely made me want to rush home and dig in the dirt!

As many of you know, May is the time for Apple Blossom Festival. There are a number of things going on and we hope you can join us for some of them.

1. Saturday, May 12th.
We will be planting the town planters on Saturday, May 12th at 9am. We will definitely need some volunteers to help out as we have 18+ planters to plant. If you can help out, please email or call (524-4204). With the new techniques learned from Lorraine and enough volunteers, we should be able to get them done in no time.

In addition, Williamson is hosting its first "Clean Sweep" to get downtown ready for the Apple Blossom Festival. If you have time, after we are done planting the planters, please consider staying to clean up (pick up litter, pull weeds, painting, etc.) until 12:00 so we can get the Main Street Business area to look amazing for the festival!

2. Saturday, May 19th
Like we did last year, the garden club is planning on having a table to sell plants, generate some publicity and get some new members.

We could use any extra plants that you are willing to donate. You can either drop them off at the table on Saturday morning or you can call and someone from the Garden club will stop by and pick them up from you. (John Ferrante at 589-9557 or Eric/Subrata at 524-4204). If you know ahead of time that you will be donating, please let me know so we can plan the table space.

In addition, we could also use some volunteers to man the table. Last year we had a small but hardy bunch who manned the table the entire time but a few more bodies would help spread out the work.

Please let other interested gardeners know of these opportunities.

3. Finally, we are hoping to arrange a garden walk-through for May. It is still in the works but another message will be sent if we are able to arrange it.

In the meantime, Happy Gardening!thanksSubrataPS: If you need information about Garden Club activities, membership, or have suggestions for upcoming lectures, feel free to email. Additionally, you can check out the calendar at http://www.town.williamson.ny.us/ or at http://grow-thewilliamsongardenclub.blogspot.com/ to see when we are holding our meetings and upcoming events