Northwood News ♦ June 2010

President’s Message

By Carole Barth

I’d like to use this month’s column to thank everyone who helped make the second annual Rachel Carson Meadow Festival such a resounding success (see article).  First and foremost, thanks are due to Jim Zepp, who was the major force coming up with ideas and then making them happen.  Among other things, he created the snazzy “save the date” bookmarks, got the reusable signs made, and produced the name tags and flier.  This event would never have happened without him.

Brian Morrissey was amazing, quickly assembling signposts and a screen for the videos, pounding the signs in, and generally helping from start to finish.  Laura Hussey again did a wonderful job with the Pitting of the Pooches.  She was assisted by Tiffany Wright and judges Elsa and Aurea Sellmeyer.  Laura also worked set-up and take-down.

Dave Rotenstein took photos and fixed an audio glitch in the nick of time; he also helped with clean up.  Leah DeLano connected us with the Washington Revels.  Having a Revels Festival Day at our Meadow Festival was a major coup.  Linda Perlman helped with set-up and collected Association dues.

Fiona Morrissey collected contact information from festival goers so we can stay in touch for future meadow matters.  Sarah Stecher, Michael Sellmeyer, and their daughters Elsa and Aurea showed us how to make wreaths and crowns from invasive plants.  Sarah and Michael also helped with take-down and cleanup.

Aleks Beltran ran lively soccer drills with equipment provided by Mike Amitay.  Catherine Zimmerman explained how festival goers could plant their own meadow, and she videographed the festival.  Mike Moylin directed traffic, and John and Betty Hill loaned us some trash cans.  Jacquie Bokow created a special web page for the festival.

And, of course, thanks are also due to the exhibitors, the Washington Revels, and the folks who joined in the Revels performance.  Montgomery Parks Department provided exhibitor tables.  Clearly, it takes a village to put on a festival in our village green.   ■