Summertime in Pound Ridge

THE RECORD-REVIEW

"Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

Come gather ye patriots, ye family and friends. Take note that the summer is in its full swing. Around you are gardens in full bursting bloom. The fireflies illuminate the dark of the night, and the summer is a happenin’. So pull out your calendar for the days to come and note Saturday’s feast of activities. In the morning at 9, get ready, start, go on a 5k-road race that boasts a new course. Start in the Town Park, and you’ll end there, too, for a route that takes you from Westchester Avenue into Scott’s Corners, through one of the parking lots behind the business district, return to the Avenue until you reach Fancher Road, where you’ll jump on the bike path and race down the marked route of endurance. Land right at the park where you’ll finish on the field. And what if you’re no runner but you want to have fun? Fast and slow walkers are welcome, too. ... Don’t go away, there’s much more to do. There will be fireworks at dusk for the annual Independence Day. You can stake your place in the Town Park at around 5-ish, so bring a blanket and picnic. Meet up with good neighbors and friends by the score to watch fireworks light up the sky. Yes, the summer is a happenin’.

The Pound Ridge Garden Club is here for us just when things start to heat up. As we bask in the sun and refresh with iced tea and lemonade, don't forget your gardens need refreshment, too. Here are some tips to keep plants well hydrated and beds free of invaders through summer: A deep soaking twice a week is far better than daily top watering. It's also a good idea to water in the early morning. This enables the leaves to dry during the day. If you water at the end of the day, leaves will be damp all night, encouraging the growth of damaging mildew. This is especially true for vegetable plants such as tomatoes, beans and cucumbers.

Don't get lazy about the weeds. Pull them out before they can go to seed and vastly multiply. Keep an eye out for invasive plants, too. You can find lists of these on various on line gardening and nature sites, and some of the plants listed may surprise you. Berberis, or barberry, which is commonly used in local landscaping due to its hardiness and deer resistance, is now considered an invasive. Birds eat berberis berries and thus spread the seeds, leading to overgrowth in our woods and along roadsides, which crowds out native plants. Another important seasonal tip: Don’t forget to smell the roses.

Three cheers to the Pound Riggers (and my fellow crew mates)—Kathy Petreski, Jennifer Stahlkrantz, Ann Marie Drpich, Joyce Matern, Eva Lozina, Mea Sgaglio, Pamela Kushner and Jennifer Chernus—for taking up the challenge of crew. It was a pleasure to row with them and we actually made it to the finish lines on race day. For a number of reasons these women rock: all are well into their 40s and most in their 50s, and they took up the sport with enthusiasm to try a new physical challenge. Amidst crazy schedules with work and children, they were dedicated to showing up for practice two nights a week at Norwalk River Rowing Club. On beautiful evenings in the harbor, the Pound Riggers watched one another’s backs as a team. Christine Drpich, just back from Rollins College for summer break, was our steady coxswain who showed patience and fortitude as she steered and coached us about location on the course, stroke rate per minute, and calling power 10s at just the right moment. As the team cut the waters and blistered their hands, counting on one another to pull together in every way, there was no half-derriere effort from anyone. Every single rower gave it her all … every single practice. Go Pound Riggers!