Brookside Park
It’s a new year and the New Years Resolutions have been made. It’s time to make changes to improve ourselves and that is exactly what we are about to do at the homestead. I’m talking about the Caretaker’s Cottage at Brookside. It’s time for a facelift and for that we need volunteers. We always need volunteers, I think every organization on the planet needs more volunteers.
Brookside County Preserve is in the Suffolk County Parks System. It is a historic site and therefore we can’t do anything without their approval. I have been working with the County and their Historic Director regarding some of the changes we can make.
Last year myself and a small team of members installed a Native Pollinator garden.The garden is overwintering and will hopefully spring to life soon. In the garden is a concrete platform which, we have been given permission to remove. If anyone would like to take out some frustration with a sledge hammer or you have a jack hammer we can use please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. The platform sits on the ground and is approximately 7’x9’.
It was suggested to me and the board that we should do a complete inventory of our artworks and other items we have in the building. If cleaning and organizing is your forte than maybe this is where you can lend a hand. Heavy lifting will not be required.
I could use a hand to remove a heavy oak TV cabinet. It’s too heavy for me and my husband to lift to get it out of the building.
There is some painting and carpentry work that is needed inside the building. We have bird houses and bat houses in the shed that should be in the woods and not sitting in the shed. I have ladders that will reach to the height needed but I need help to install them properly. Maybe this is something that interests you.
Docents, we are always in need of docents at Brookside. Brookside is required to be available to the public 2 days a week from 1-3 pm. Our days of operation are Sunday and Wednesday. The docents are to fill the bird feeders, walk the trails to make sure they are clean and free of debris. The building is open to the public and docents are given a dialogue to talk about Isaac Green, his life, the property as well as his importance in the architectural profession. It is preferred to have 2 docents working at a time. There is very little foot traffic at this time in the park but will perk up once the birds begin migrating and nesting in the park. Last Spring was extremely busy in the park.
If any of the above interest you and you would like to volunteer please email Karen Andres, Director of Brookside Preserve, at 1karenandres@gmail.com
Olllie
Life has changed in leaps and bounds this year. If you have met Ollie, you know I mean leaps and bounds. On February 12, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, it was one year since I had to release my precious Penny into the arms of eternity. After a much too brief period of doglessness, Ollie came into my life – the personification of leaps and bounds. I don’t think this dog’s feet touch the ground. He just springs along. With my pup of boundless energy came some changes.
Changing of The Guard
Great South Bay Audubon has not held elections since before Covid. Many of our board members have stayed on passed what our bylaws designate. Our organization, like so many others, does not have volunteers beating down the doors and, so, the officers stay.
Striped Pine Prince
Take a walk and you will notice many things. This is what an art
teacher told me during a contour line exercise. She said, “When
you drive in a car you see large objects, ride your bicycle and you
will see more, take a walk and you will be able to see details”.
