SUMMER 2015

member

news

e have had quite the summer so far!

Generous donations allowed us to open Phase 1
of the Bapst Memorial Rose Garden. This new
collection honors Karl Bapst- Master Rosarian,
Master Gardener, active Duneland Rose Society
member and Taltree volunteer. Lovingly called
Rosenut, Karl cared for over 300 roses at his
home even after surviving a stroke. Karl passed
away in January 2014, leaving his rose collection
to Taltree. Phase 1 was installed this month and
we hope to complete the garden in 2016. Please
come and take time to stop and smell the
roses- as Karl would say.
We also opened the East Property. This property
adds 114 acres and just over 2 miles of hiking trails
to the public area of Taltree. Located within the
East Property is a 30-acre parcel which is enrolled
in the Federal Conservation Reserve Program
(CRP). Taltree received funding from BP to begin
the restoration of a 2-acre parcel for an American
Woodcock habitat and a 28-acre parcel for a
Ring-Necked Pheasant habitat- both species
which are facing severe habitat loss in northwest
Indiana. A beautiful addition to the already
existing acreage, the East Property offers a
remote hiking experience for all nature lovers!
Coming up this fall we have family camping,
bonfires, hayrides, night hikes and more! See
inside for details.

I look forward to seeing you out there!

Stephanie Blackstock, Executive Director

Board
OF DIRECTORS
Natalie Conlon
Donald Evans
Richard Fleming
Damien A. Gabis, PhD,
President
Rita Gabis, Emeritus
Miche Grant
Kim Groceman
Alex Lulinski
Alexandra Moran
James Skinner
Edward Spelde

Staff
Leadership Team
Stephanie Blackstock,
Executive Director
Max Bales, Development
Director
Chad Cronin, Grounds &
Facilities Manager
Maddie Grimm,
Director of Education
Amanda Hedges,
Marketing & PR Manager
Marcia Kinnis, Controller
George Reid, Horticulturist
Team Members
Ahnaliese Dunn, Volunteer
& Guest Experience
Coordinator
Mia Goulding,
Education Assistant
Craig Gress, Arborist &
Groundskeeper
Mario Herron,
Administrative Assistant
Sarah Reed, Groundskeeper
Dave Simkowski,
RWG Train Operator
Mike Willis, Staff Accountant

wish list

Please drop items at the gatehouse or store:

Pony beads

Food dye of any color

Stretchy string/leather

Distilled water

Smooth glass jars with lids

Plastic organizer totessmall

Card stock of any color

and large

AA, C, and D batteries

Fur pelts: native animals like

rabbit, fox, skunk, coyote, etc.

Expired spices: red pepper

Felt pieces or scraps

flakes, cinnamon, & green herbs

MEET OUR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR...

altree recently welcomed Max Bales to the team as the Development

Director. He comes to Taltree with over 10 years of development experience
at a number of organizations. He is a graduate of Vincennes University and Purdue
University. His family resides in West LafayetteMax commutes, staying in Valpo on
weekdays; but Bales has a longtime connection to the region, having served as a
representative for the IN Farm Bureau in the area for many years. He also officiates ISHAA
sports, including football, wrestling and girls fast pitch softball.

SUMMER CAMP SUCCESS

econd to fifth graders from the

surrounding area had the opportunity to
enjoy summer camp at Taltree. The five
weeks of camp had the themes of
Wilderness Safari, Wacky Water Week,
Science Quest and CSI: Taltree.
Campers enjoyed a range of
activities, including making paper kites,
learning about reptiles, making slime,
and more. They were particularly
pleased when a raccoon ate their mold
experiment, and when the robo dog
visited for the day. Another favorite each
year is the giant parachute.

Camp scholarships were also

available this year based on
need and applications. Thirteen
scholarships were awarded,
courtesy of funding from the Mark
Gabis Foundation, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources
Lake Michigan Coastal Program.

STAY
Facebook.com/taltree @taltreeArb

@Taltree

in-the-know

Arboretum Hours: Daily AprilOctober, 8 am to 7 pm CST; Daily NovemberMarch, 10 am to 4 pm CST

Main Entrance: 450 West 100 North, Valparaiso | Office Hours: MonFri, 8 am to 4:30 pm CST
Office Entrance: 71 North 500 West, Valparaiso | 219.462.0025 | info@taltree.org | taltree.org

BULB

Sale
T

his October, Taltree will be selling bulbs on the weekends in the Depot Visitors Center

to raise funds for Taltree. Stop by to find a selection of crocus, tulips, daffodils, and fun
fritillaria to enhance your home garden. These treasured heirlooms and striking
modern varieties are not easily found at box stores or garden centers. Impress your
friends and neighbors and support the arboretum at the
same time!

HORTICULTURAL
Q: HOW CAN
I START A
SUCCESSFUL
NEW LAWN?

Q &A

WITH GEORGE REID, TALTREE HORTICULTURALIST

hink August! The best time to seed a new,

cool season lawn is between August 15 and
the end of September. The suns intensity is
weakening and the nights begin to cool,
creating the best conditions for growing a
lawn in this region. Northwest Indianas
climate requires cool season grasses like rye,
bluegrass and fescues. These grasses have
a tendency to brown in the hot, dry weather
of summer, but they flourish during the
spring, fall and milder parts of winter.
The following are steps recommended by
Iowa State University and You Bet Your
Garden, a National Public Radio
gardening show, to establish a new lawn:
Till up what you have.
Rake away the old, green material.
Level the surface, water well, and wait a
week.
Destroy any new weeds that sprout with
a sharp hoe pulled lightly across the soil
surface. If there's a lot of lawn, hire some
help or do the hoeing in
stages. Don't use herbicides.
Apply a one-to-two inch layer
of compost on top of the 'stale seed
bed' you've created. Do not sow new
seed on top of your existing soil. Thats
why your old lawn looked so bad!
Level the surface perfectly. An uneven
lawn will never look good.

Sow your new seed into the compost

and rake gently until most of the seed
is no longer visible. Don't smother the
new
grass with straw or other nonsense.
Water gently every day for a week to
keep the seed moist, but not when it
rains.
Cut back to every other day for a
week, then twice a week, then once a
week. Water less if it's cool and rainy,
more if it's hot and dry.
Shred any leaves from nearby
deciduous trees that fall on the new
turf directly back into the grass with a
mulching mower, or suck them up with
a blower-vac. Don't use a rake on
new grass.
After your lawn is established, feed it
with compost twice a yearonce in the
spring and once in the fall. Cut your grass
short for the first cutting of the season,
then raise your mower to cut at three
inches. Use a mulching mower and allow
the clippings to fall on the ground,
providing a gentle feeding every time you
mow. Water long, slow and deepabout
an inch every week. Water early in the
morning once a week for an hour, rather
than fifteen minutes every day.
These practices will give you a healthy,
sustainable lawn that can handle the
stress of summer with minimal browning.

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand

everything better. - ALBERT EINSTEIN

I
A BIG
PROJECT

n 1998, founder Damien Gabis began

the reforestation process of 7.08 acres of
old farmland near the Goldfinch Trail.
Now, invasive species such as Multiflora
Rose and Autumn Olive have overrun the
area and hindered the growth of oak and
hickory trees. This summer saw the
beginning of a new attempt to reforest
this property, develop favorable species,
and weed out anything that will hinder
growth.
With the help of the
AmeriCorps NCCC
(National Civilian
Community Corps),
reforestation began with
the thinning and removal of
the understory of invasive
species. The team went
through rows of trees with
handsaws, clearing the brush and smaller
trees to create space for growth. They
completed this first step of the
reforestation process in their time at
Taltree.
The next step will include a selective
process of thinning the oak and hickory
trees in the area. Trees with bad structure,
disease, or unwanted traits will be cleared
to give larger trees more light exposure
and less competition for resources.

Forty to fifty percent of the original trees

planted will be removed, totaling well
over 1,500 trees. Arborist Craig Gress and
Grounds and Facilities Manager Chad
Cronin will complete this step of the
process, and the felled trees will be wood
chipped or split into logs.
Once favorable trees have developed,
the understory and brush will be able to
move back into the area, creating a
mature forestrecovered from its use as
farmland. With the help of the NCCC,
Taltree has been able to take a large step
toward the completion of this long-term
project.

T
A GRAND
OPENING

altrees East Property was opened to the

public for the first time on Tuesday, August
4. The Woodcock & Pheasant Preserve,
funded in part by BP, adds almost two
miles of walking trails to Taltrees grounds.
The grounds staff worked hard to make
this property accessible to the public.
Before the area could be opened, staff,
volunteers, and the AmeriCorps NCCC
(National Civilian Community Corps)
cleared trails, installed five culverts
throughout the area, removed downed
trees, wood-chipped wet and muddy
areas, and installed interpretive
and directional signs.

Common Pheasant

The ribbon cutting on August 4

featured a short talk from Interim
Executive Director Stephanie Blackstock, along with light refreshments. In
light of the festivities, entrance fees
were waived for the afternoon, and the
public was welcomed and encouraged
to explore the property for the first time.

Event tickets, when necessary, can be

purchased online. All classes and hikes are
by reservation only. Register and purchase
tickets online at TaltreeEvents.org. For
questions, call 219.462.0025.

exhibits
&events
Folk, Blues & Brews
September 19. Join us for a night
of fold and blues music in the
Sidetrack. Craft brews from around
the region will be featured in our
beer garden. This event is a 21+
event. $10 pre-sale. $12 day-of.

Haunted Railroad & Fall Festival

October 1-31 (weekends). This
family friendly event features the
railway garden haunted and fun
weekend activities such as
hayrides, Sprout Express rides, and
creepy crafts. Free with admission.
Special activity costs vary.
OAKtoberfest
October 24. A 21 and older
outdoor event featuring oak barrelaged brews and ciders paired with
appetizer-style food options. Guests
will learn about the oak species
and the many uses man has
created for this hearty wood,
including the making of oak-aged
alcoholic drinks. Event is held in
partnership with Chef David
Wodrich of Third Coast Spice Caf
in Chesterton. $55 Brew and Food
Ticket. $20 Designated Driver
Ticket.

Taltree 10K
November 7. 6.2-mile trail run
through the arboretum! Open to
runners and walkers of all skill levels.
The course terrain is flat with some
challenging hills and is a
combination of pavement, gravel,
grass, and wood chips. $30 Preregistration.
Taltree Holiday Express
December 5, 12 & 19. Get into the
holiday spirit Saturdays in December with the Christmas classic story
time. Visit with Santa. Enjoy cookies
and cocoa. See the Railway Gardens model trains in action. $15
for first child & adult.

SCAVENGER HUNT & INSTAGRAM CHALLENGE

top by the gatehouse or Depot to pick up a copy

of the Taltree Scavenger Hunt! Eight questions will
challenge your knowledge of the arboretum. The
hunt will take you around the grounds, bringing you
through some of Taltrees most popular exhibits and
sights. All of the answers can be found on the
information boards around Taltree.

You can also follow Taltree

on Instagram (@taltree)
and participate in our
Instagram Challenge!
Take a selfie at each of
the following locations:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Bluebird Trail - Podium at the Outdoor Classroom

Cardinal Trail - Bench made out of a fallen tree
Goldfinch Trail - Bridge at the trail entrance
Owl Trail - Beginning of Oak Islands Exhibit

Use #TaltreeSelfieChallenge when you post your

selfie collage on Instagram. You will be entered in a
quarterly drawing for a Simko Signs gift certificate
for a canvas photo print!

save THE date

Event tickets, when necessary, can be
purchased online. All classes and hikes are
by reservation only. Register and purchase
tickets online at TaltreeEvents.org. For
questions, call 219.462.0025

classes
&hikes

Fall Wild Edibles & Mushrooms Hike

October 3rd, 2-3:30pm. Come hike
the Taltree trails to learn about
whats edible in the wild. Meets at
Main Entrance Parking Lot.
Members Free, $5 for Non-Member
Adults and Children, Seniors Free.

Introduction to Model Railroading

August 29, 11am-1pm. Come learn
about Taltrees G-Scale trains and
how to get started with model
trains. Meets at Train Garden.
$10/person, Free for Seniors,
Reservations Required.

Fall Oil Painting in Nature

October 4th, 1-4pm. Come get
inspired by nature and learn how
to paint using oil paints. Meets at
Pavilion.
$50/Members, $55/Non-Members,
Free for Seniors.

Fall Bulb Planting Class

October 3, 12-1:30pm. Learn the
best techniques for bulb planting to
get your garden ready for spring.
Taught by Jean Starr. Reservations
Required. Meets at Classroom. $15/
Members, $17 Non-Members, Free
for Seniors.

Fall Colors Hike

October 18th, 1-3pm. Come hike
with one of Taltrees naturalists and
see the many beautiful fall colors in
Taltrees forests. Meets at Main
Entrance Parking Lot. Members
Free, $5/Non-Member.

Wire Wrap Jewelry Class

November 14, 12-2pm.
Demonstration of wire wrapping
of pendants and necklace making.
Students can bring their own
pendants if interested. Meets at
Classroom. $20 Members/$25 NonMembers, Free for Seniors.
Recycled Holiday Crafts
(Upcycling)
November 21st, 12-2pm.
Children will learn the importance
of recycling while making crafts for
the holidays. Each child takes a
craft project home. Meets at classroom. $10/Child, $10/Adult, Free for
Seniors.
Class Details: Senior discount applies
to 55 and above. Senior discount courtesy
of a grant from the Porter County
Community Foundation. All classes require
advanced registration. Questions? Email
info@taltree.org to reach the Education
Department.

FOLK, BLUES & BREWS

ome enjoy music and brews outdoors this fall! Taltree welcomes Eric Lambert &
Friends and The Planetary Blues Band to the Sidetrack stage on Saturday, September
19, from 6 to 9 p.m. Local artist, David Hernandez, will take the stage as guests find
spots on The Sidetrack lawn for their lawn chairs. The Planetary Blues Band will bring
their unique flavor of blues to the stage as the opening band. Eric Lambert will be
joined by three ultra-talented friends. Erics friends include Chris Walz, a sensational
master bluegrass and blues picker; Don Stiernberg, one of the finest mandolinists on the
planet; and Dean Milano, a highly skilled and versatile upright bassist. Folk, Blues &
Brews will feature a selection of craft brews, domestic beer and wine.
Tickets are available online at Taltree.org, or call 219.262.0025 for more information.
Tickets will also be available at the door. Doors will open at 6 p.m.