I just Love Blue Morning Glories. Do You too ?

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber  & Photos property of  Wayne G. Barber 

The common morning glory is a favorite of gardeners everywhere for good reason. The eye-catching vines are very low maintenance—they can be easily started from seed in early spring, and you don't need to prune or deadhead them as they grow.

 Have a trellis or other support in place wherever you plant your seeds and the vines will soon find the support and train themselves to grow on it.

'Heavenly Blue': A popular cultivar with large azure flowers and heart-shaped leaves

With regular watering, morning glories can start blooming by mid-summer, but many times they are slow to begin setting flowers, earning them the nickname "back to school vine." If you want to try and speed up the flowering time of morning glories you seed yourself, you can try sowing the seeds even earlier in the spring by scattering them on the frozen ground and even on snow.

You can start seed indoors about four to six weeks before your last frost date, but it's not necessary—morning glory does very well when direct-sown as well. If you prefer to plant your seeds straight into the ground, wait until the soil is able to be worked and has warmed to at least 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Morning glory seeds have a very hard seed coat and germination will be faster with scarification. You can do this by rubbing the seeds between two pieces of coarse sandpaper for a few seconds and then soaking them overnight. You will notice they are a lot plumper in the morning and look ready to sprout.

I have learned the hard way to wait to plant my favorite Burpee Heavenly Blue until the maple trees have full leaves on them and this year I put a few old golden shiners baitfish that had expired about 6 inches below them for some great results in the worst drought conditions since 1965 in the Northeast Quiet Corner . Try some in your yard next year for some real nice color and our green humming birds love them too. 

Please Support your local Farms

 Posted by Wayne G.Barber 

Farms of all types are having a rough season — wells running dry, transport costs up to get to market, consumers who themselves have less in their wallets to spend on food. 

Corporate consolidation — that is, a few major companies gobbling up all they can of food production and distribution — is a pattern that repeats across the whole food system.  

I’ve painted this picture to some non-farmer friends who have replied with some form of, ‘yeah, true. But it’s hard for all small businesses.’ Which is absolutely correct, and we should investigate why being small in any sector is impossible right now. (You don’t have to dig too deep — corporate consolidation is ubiquitous.) But also, for two major reasons, farming is different, and we all need to care.

First: farmers aren’t just business owners. Farmers — particularly organic farmers — are ecosystem stewards. Organic dairy farms keep land open (organic regulations require cows to be on pasture), sequestering carbon, protecting biodiversity and filtering water. What happens if an un-conserved farm goes out of business? 

Look no further than the mini storage units recently plunked down in what had previously been a farm field up in the North East Quiet Corner.. Then think about that pattern repeated across the state: the ripples of box stores slapped onto any field that a farmer can’t afford to keep in production. Consider what this does to Connecticut's identity as a pastoral, beautiful place people wish to come visit and live. What it does to the rural community that the farm helped to sustain.

Think also of the environmental difference of a store versus a farm field. What happens to the rain that falls on that impermeable concrete parking pad and the soil underneath it. Consider the pollinators that used to find food for their journey in the hedgerows and the wildlife that came to the pond to drink. 

While on the surface this looks like an outcome of an economic crisis, it morphs into yet another small piece of kindling tossed onto the climate fire that grows hotter by the year. Or in the hopeful alternative: each small, organic farm that can remain viable protects a bucket of water for dousing climate chaos.

Second: farmers grow food, which, at the risk of stating the obvious, we all need to stay alive. Currently, you can go to a box store and buy food brought in from away. But we must not quickly forget the lessons we learned at the start of the pandemic about how utterly brittle massive food supply chains are. How it doesn’t take much to disrupt that food showing up stocked on our shelf. What will we eat when the next disruption happens if there is no local farmer who has been able to keep producing?

We cannot let short-term economic crises exacerbate longer-term climate chaos and food insecurity. Connecticut’s small and organic farmers feed us, help Connecticut thrive, and feed our chances of a habitable planet. Every way we as individuals, (if we are in the fortunate economic group who can) or we as a collective (through state policy and investment), can support organic, small farms in thriving is a step toward a livable future for us all

Source: This commentary is written by Grace Oedel, & Wayne G. Barber
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Roseland Cottage History

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

Starting in 1870, Henry C. Bowen, a businessman, hosted the country’s largest Fourth of July party in Woodstock, Conn., at his Roseland Cottage. The event featured many, many, many speeches; so many, that Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes tried to get out of going in 1877. Bowen didn’t drink, and President Ulysses S. Grant had to sneak a cocktail on the porch at the first party in 1870.

Our Largest Woodpecker in The Last Green Valley

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber 

Pileated Woodpecker,   Male and his lover in 2021

Crow Sized woodpecker with a black back and bright red crest. Long grey bill with a red moustache. Leading edge of wings is white, flashes brightly when flying.

Female: same as male, but has a black forehead and lacks the red mustache.

Juvenile: similar to the adults, only duller and browner overall.

Nest: cavity; malt and female excavate; 1 brood per year.

Eggs: 3-5 white, unmarked

 Incubation: 15-18 days, female and male will share duties. female has the day shift and the male has the night shift.

Non-migrator

Favorite food is carpenter ants.

Our backyard loudest drummer.

Spring is in the Air.......

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

“In the Thompson Hills, March is a woodpecker drumming in a new season. Red Wing Hawks and Mourning Doves pairing up. It’s the liquid trill of tree frogs and the plaintive notes of peepers heralding the return of spring. It’s wild geese winging their way northward over the North East Quiet Corner and blue jays chattering of new days to come. It’s the sun writing tomorrow’s message on the earth. It’s a time when winter lingers in the lap of spring. It’s gusty days and calm days, chill days and warm days. It’s April whispering from the ridgetops while March goes whistling down the Connecticut Green Valley. It's the maple nectar in the buds and crevices that the red squirrel and titmouse, chicadees and sap suckers, wood peckers or the smokey steamy oroma of a sugar shack on Rt..193. It’s song sparrows in the alders and robins strutting in the pasture. It’s a velvet-coated bumblebee hunting for a nest site and a honeybee buzzing for the first taste of pollen. March is the first daffodils making the whole world golden.”

As we worked outside a few days ago , re-conditioning our family car from road salt and sand I was reminded of the late spring snowfalls. Spring of the year is coming on fast in Thompson, Connecticut and while the sunshine is warm on my face the shadows under the trees make me wish I had a bigger coat on. Inspiration to post from Mr. John Harris

1,500 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrive at Day-Kimball Hospital

Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

PUTNAM, Conn. — The first doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine made their way to Connecticut Tuesday afternoon at Day Kimball Healthcare in Putnam. Day Kimball received 1500 doses, all of which are going to educators. Kyle Kramer, CEO of Day Kimball said “The enthusiasm of teachers getting the vaccination, the fact that they have that burden lifted off their shoulders, that feeling that they can be safely in classrooms, it’s such an amazing opportunity for us to be a part of history, and we’re so proud to be able to deliver the vaccine to our teachers”.

 

Rare Whales Spotted East of Boston; Protection Urged

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber

 Rare whales have been detected east of Boston, prompting the federal government to take steps to try to protect the animals.

The whales are North Atlantic right whales, which number only about 360 in the world. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution detected the presence of the whales 35 nautical miles east of Boston on Jan. 25.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has created a voluntary vessel speed restriction zone or “slow zone” in the area.

The agency is asking mariners to go around the area or travel through it at 10 knots or less.

Thompson, Conn. launches new brand logo

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber  

Thompson’s Branding Strategy Implementation Committee, Economic Development Commission and Board of Selectmen recently announced the launch of a new municipal brand: Thompson, CT…Find Your Way.

Planning companies and committees agreed on three primary marketing messages: Thompson is reachable, centrally located and convenient to Boston, Providence and Hartford; Thompson is a welcoming, green and growing community, brimming with opportunities to live, work, play and visit; and Thompson is committed to achieving growth in a way that is green, sustainable, and innovative.

A brand logo, themes and iconography for marketing materials were developed based on Thompson’s landmarks and natural features. The River Mill and farms represent the city’s past as well as future economic growth and development. The inclusion of trails, waterways, bicyclists and hikers in the logo are representative of the outdoor recreation opportunities in Thompson.

Author Line-Up for 10-27-20

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber

News, Book Signings, Industry News, Poetry, Publishing Questions and Author Interviews.

9:05 am Author Dr. Michael Fine will discuss his latest, " The Bull " and other stories and the Rhode Island Pandemic Crisis too !

A bull gets loose in Tennessee. a black sergeant stops the murder of a Trump supporter in North Carolina. The third husband of a nurse in Pawtucket wins the lottery. A schizophrenic women who lives on Kennedy Plaza discovers that social security thinks she is dead. The 19-year-old Latina caretaker of a rich old man loses her mother to Covid-19. A horse that represents the hopes and dreams of a family in India falls asleep, and then awakens.

Ten stories. People whose lives are transformed. People who struggle and survive, who see their world through lost hopes, inappropriate loves, and irrational dreams. Ten stories, each one a new way to listen, see, feel, and dream.

9:40am Author Leo Frisk " Mr. Nobody' will discuss his latest two books

Visit The Bull Hill Preserve in Thompson, CT

Connecticut Mustangs 18u 6 Johnston, R.I. 1

 Posted and Photo's by Wayne G. Barber  

Beautiful fall day for a fall ball double-header.. The Ct. Mustangs had #15 Cam L'Heureux start and was in total control with a hot fastball and pinpoint location. This was a 3 to 1 game till the Mustangs broke it open in the fifth with 3 powered by a two run double off the fence by shortstop #13 Mason Barber who missed a homer by inches.  #10 Kaden Murphy closed out the last frame to preserve the win on a wicked line drive to the shortstop to seal the deal. Well coached game by  both teams and a break for a quick sandwich and then, "let's play two"

!

1938 Hurricane Track

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

On September 21, 1938, the Great New England Hurricane came ashore near Long Island, New York and moved north into the New England area. The majority of the storm damage was from storm surge and wind. Damage was estimated at $308 million, the equivalent of $5.1 billion today. Due to the lack of technology in 1938, New England residents were not warned of the hurricane's arrival, leaving no time to prepare or evacuate. The winds reached up to 150 mph, with waves surging to around 25–35 feet high. The photograph shows a map of the track of the storm put together by the Army Corps of Engineers

Ct. Mustangs 16 up's now at 5 in a row ........

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber

The Mustangs of the summer of 2020

The boys of the summer of 2020 are starting to jell as a unit with depth.

On July 8th, 4 pitchers combine a no-hitter against East Lyme for a 1-0 sqeaker victory. On a steamy hot Saturday July 11 then turn it up a notch with a sweep in a double header at home at the Woodstock , Ct. middle school on a excellent manicured playing field. 3 in row is no easy feet with the good competition in the tri-state region.
 On Sunday the NE Eagles traveled down from the Hudson area and were spanked with the bats finally heating up after the pitchers carried the team in the start of the tight compacted baseball season.  Game one a 10-0 shutout and then re-hydrate and light lunch before making their statement that they are the team to beat in 2020 with a impressive 16-2 lopsided victory and starting the game batting first for the big Blue Machine scoring a whopping 7 runs before the third out. The pitchers did not slack off and limited the Eagles to two runs  Some of the boys are driving now and most are working part time for vehicles and insurance and practice almost every afternoon in our latest heat waves. This group's roster has really matured from Bad News Bears 7, 8, 9 10 year old teams to fine young men and great role models in our communities.

Thompson Town News....

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos by Wayne G. Barber Library

Thompson Town Hall offices are now open by appointment (*with exception that appointments are not required for the Tax Office or the Assessor’s Office*; all customers for the Tax Office and the Assessor’s Office must enter through the upper back 2nd floor entrance.)

To make an appointment with other offices, contact the office you wish to see. You will be asked screening questions and given additional details regarding your appointment.

When you arrive at the building, you will find that all exterior doors are locked, however phone numbers for each office will be available on the doors. To enter the building for your appointment, call the office you are meeting with and they will meet you at the door.

* There will be a security person at the upper back 2 nd floor entrance who will be screening customers at the door and will allow two people at a time to enter each of the Tax Office and the Assessor’s Office.

Please keep in mind that we are asking that only those paying cash to come to Town Hall. We encourage those who are paying by check to mail it (PO Box 899, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255 or to leave it in one of the drop boxes. (1 outside the 2nd floor door, 1 outside the 1st

floor door nearest the Post Office.) We encourage those paying with credit cards to pay on-line.

Masks are required when in Town Hall.

At this time, there are no public restrooms.

Eastbound Train on a Westbound Track

NEW ROCKY POINT R.I.FISHING PIER NOW OPEN

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Pier provides prime saltwater fishing access 10 miles from Providence

 

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Warwick Mayor Joseph J. Solomon today held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the completion of a new timber fishing pier at the iconic Rocky Point State Park in Warwick. Financed by RI Capital Plan and Green Economy Bond funding, the $1.8 million project provides anglers of all abilities with access to one of the state's prime fishing areas.

 

“Public access to clean, safe, and attractive recreational facilities is a public good,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “Being active outdoors is important for our physical and mental health. I hope that Rhode Island anglers will enjoy this new fishing pier at Rocky Point, cast a line into the waters of Narragansett Bay, and appreciate the beauty of our state.”

 

“Expanding shoreline and fishing access is core to our mission at DEM and we’re thrilled that the new pier will enable anglers, regardless of their physical abilities, to experience the joy and bounty of fishing on Narragansett Bay,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “I hope that the public will benefit from this recreational investment and asset for decades to come.”

 

“I have been involved with efforts to preserve Rocky Point for two decades and it has truly been a labor of love. Previously, as Council President, I was proud to support the City of Warwick’s acquisition of the land at Rocky Point, which was a long, complicated process. I convened a special meeting of the Warwick City Council to grant permission for the State to purchase the remaining portion of the land at Rocky Point, and I also docketed legislation for the easement needed to build this pier. Now, as Mayor, I am very gratified to continue making improvements at our iconic park, and to stand with my partners from state and federal offices to officially open the fishing pier at Rocky Point,” said Mayor Joseph J. Solomon. “We have, working together, ensured the preservation of Rocky Point for the public so that generations of Rhode Islanders can continue to enjoy it. This project is just the latest in a series of enhancements that I have championed at our beloved park, and it is one multiple investments I am making in Warwick’s open spaces and recreational opportunities.”

 

The new fishing pier features a 280-foot-long, T-shaped pier with a shade structure, benches, railings, and solar lighting. Railing heights vary to allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy access to Narragansett Bay. 

 

The fishing pier moved forward as a result of a partnership between DEM, the City of Warwick, The Nature Conservancy, and others to create and improve public access sites for fishing and boating. The project provides saltwater fishing access less than 10 miles from Downtown Providence, advancing a key element of this coastal public park. The fishing pier also complements a variety of recreational opportunities at Rocky Point State Park, including walking, bird-watching, rock climbing, a youth fishing camp, DEM’s popular “Come Clam With Me” workshops, and open spaces for picnics as well as family-focused events like Food Truck Nights and Movie Nights run by the City and other gatherings.

 

DEM Director Coit noted that DEM works in close partnership with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) to promote recreational fishing and introduce the sport to young Rhode Islanders through its popular fishing camp at Rocky Point State Park. Fishing is an important part of Rhode Island’s social and cultural fabric and an important driver for the state’s economy. Rhode Island’s marine recreational fishing industry contributes $420 million to the state’s economy and supports over 4,000 jobs.

 

“This new pier will provide a safe place for recreational anglers to catch fish and hopefully teach fishing to our children and grandchildren,” said Stephen Medeiros, Executive Director of RISAA. Source: RI DEM MEDIA PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTO