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April2020ISSUE8 THEBARNESVILLETIDBIT

Spring Comes to Barnesville EVENTS

AlleventsattheTownHallarecanceleduntilfurthernoticebecauseoftheGovernor’sStay-at-HomeordersstatingthatnoMarylandresidentshouldleavetheirhomeunlessitisforanessentialjob,orforanessentialreason,suchasobtainingfoodormedicine,seekingurgentmedicalattention,orforothernecessarypurposes,amendingthepreviousorderprohibitingsocialgatheringsof10peopleormore.TheTownhelditsfirstZoomMeetingonApril20.Wehad14participantsandnosnafus!Manythankstoourtownclerk,TraceySlotta,forcoordinating.TheFebruaryminutesandnotesfromtheMarchmeetingwillbepostedonthewebsite,alongwithJanuaryandFebruaryFinancialInformation.Hopefully,wewillbeabletoholdtheMaymeetingintheTownHall,butifnot,weknowhowtodothisvirtually.TheEventCommitteeislookingintohostingsomevirtualevents.Ifanyonehasanyideasorsuggestions,pleasecontactthetownemail.Non-MeetingUpcomingEvents:June3,2020–BigTrashPickup

EnjoyingaBeautifulSunset–CourtesyofDalisDavidson,DancingLeafFarm.

Duringthistimeofquarantineanduncertainty,manyareexploringwaystoappreciatetheworldaroundus–plantinggardens,shearingsheep,takingwalks(sociallydistancing,ofcourse)andspendingtimewithfamily.HereareafewexamplesofSpringintheAgReserve.

ThankstoWilliamPriceandCherryBarrforprovidingSpringupdatesduringtheirearlymorningrun/bikealongtheCanal.HerearesomebluebellsnearLock27.

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CommitteeUpdates

Ifyouareinterestedinjoininganyofthecommittees,pleasecontactthetownclerkatclerk.bmd@gmail.com

BeautificationCommittee:TheBeautificationCommitteeconsistsofLisaHilton(Chair),JaneThompson,andJanLillardBurdette.TheBeautificationCommitteehasbeenbusycleaningupourtown!SeestoryonPage7,describingtheircommitmenttokeepingBarnesvillebeautiful.

tothevirus,buttheteamhasmetvirtuallyandcontinuestoponderideastohelpthecommunityinthisdifficulttime.OneideawastoencouragegardenerstoplantextravegetablesthisseasontocontributetoWUMCOfordistributiontofamiliesencounteringfinancialdifficulties.Somemembersoftheteamaresewingmasksforvariousefforts–pleasecontacttheteamthroughthetownclerkifyouneedmasksorhaveothersuggestions.EventCommittee:TheEventCommittee,chairedbyCherryBarr,consistsofHollyLarisch,TinaBrown,ClareSmith,andDarinaCallear.ThetowngatheredforitsAnnualTownDinneronMarch8,enjoyingfriedchickenpreparedbyBillLynchandsidesanddessertsprovidedbytownresidents.Ashortmeetingfollowedadrawingfor4themedbasketshighlightingLocalArts,LocalFood,FamilyFun,andBirds.TheCommissionersdiscussedCommitteeactivities,statusofsidewalks,trafficcalming,andthefinalplanforthenewtownpark.Theeventcommitteeisconsideringseveralideasforvirtualeventsandwelcomesinputfromtownresidents.

TrafficCommittee:The Traffic Committee is chaired by Jim Brown and consists of William Price, Cherry Barr, Jaime Field, Cynthia Jennings Field, Jane Thompson, Tina Brown, SteveFindlay,andMonicaGarrett

Streethawk traffic enforcement for January thru March resulted in 174 speeding violations and 76 stop sign violations. Speeding on Beallsville Rd continues to be 50% higher than on Barnesville Rd. A large majority of the stop sign violations are not blow throughs but rather fast rolling stops. Streethawk stopped several GenOn power plant trucks utilizing Beallsville Rd to remove coal ash from the Dickerson plant. The agreement with GenOn is that these trucks are prohibited from coming thru Barnesville from any direction. We contacted GenOn in late February and they reinforced the directive with their contract truck drivers. The Gen On trucks are easily identified as they use only tri- axle large trucks with canvass covers. Any other dump trucks you may see unfortunately cannot be barred from our roads. Planning Commission: The Planning Commission consists of Woody Bailey (Chair), Meg Menke, Judy Stone, Cynthia Jennings Field, and Mildred Callear. The Planning Commission has continued its work updating the Master Plan. It has been reviewed by the Town’s consultant Doug Lohmeyer, who reported that it should meet Maryland State requirements. The Commission is waiting on data from the speed cameras to finish updating the plan. Given the effects of the Coronavirus lock down, this data may not be available in which case the related section of the Master Plan will be rewritten. The Planning Commission reviewed the site plan for the development of the property at 22009 Beallsville Rd. The site plan was presented by Doug Lohmeyer for the owner Mr. Ray Hornsby. After consideration of the site plan, the Planning Commissioners unanimously approved the plan and recommended to the Town Commissioner’s to approve the building permit. Our public meetings on the plan will resume as soon as permitted. The meetings will continue to include open discussions, one Saturday morning a month at 8:30 a.m.

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SustainableBarnesville:TheGreenTeam(co-chairedbyJoyceBaileyandAudreyMorris)organizedatalkattheTownHallonMarch7byHeatherZindash,theSoulfulGardener.Theeventwaswellattendedandprovidedlotsofinspiringinformationongardeningtoattractwildlifeandnaturallydiscouragepests.Herwebsiteincludesalotofthisinformationhttps://thesoulfulgardener.com.ThankyoutoGreenTeammembersAnneSturmandJuleeEvans,whocontributedtowardthecostofbringingthisspeakertothecommunity.TheGreenTeam’snormalactivities–GuidedMeditationSessions,hikes,lectures–havebeensuspendeddue

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MessagefromtheMayor

Well,wearedefinitelyaningeniousbunch!!JustreadingaboutallthecreativewaysweareadaptingtoournewCOVID-19realityofsocialdistancingandtheneedforprotectivegearisinspirationtousall.Wearesewingprotectivemasksathome,learninghowtobeautifywithwildflowerbombsandsmallsociallydistantclean-upcrews,designingthelandscapingforLillard’sCorner,keepingthebirdsfedandlearningthatshearingisessential.Thesheepsay,"Duh!Youhumanshadtoevengivethatathought--youguysdon'twearwoolcoatsinsummer,nowdoyou?"andwehumanssay,"Well,wedon'tgettohavehaircutsrightnowsowhyshouldyou?"Andyouknowwhatthewiseamongushavealwayssaid,whethersheeporhuman,"Thegrassisalwaysgreenerontheotherside."AndthatbringsusbacktoSpring.Itisindeedquiteajuxtaposition--aseriouspandemicthatisendangeringusallandhavingdireconsequencesforfartoomanyatthesametimethatourlittlecorneroftheworldisenjoyingalush,greenspringsofulloflifethatitishardtofathomthattheworldisinsuchadifficultdilemma.Whilesomeofusareworkingfromhomeothershavelosttheirlivelihoods.Whilesomeofusareabletoprotectourselvesbystayingdistant,otherscontinuetofacetheworldandthepandemiceverydaytoprovidetheessentialservicesweallcountonforourownhealth,safetyandsanity.TheBarnesvillepostofficeisstillopeneverydayandourpostalworkersshowup,dotheirworkandstaypositivesowegetourmailandpackages.OurpoliceandfirefightersandEMTsfaceriskeverydayinnormaltimesbutnowaretakingevenmorerisksineveryencounter--yettheyaretherewhenweneedthem.TheCVSPharmacyinPoolesvilleisthereforusevenwhenwearereluctanttogoinside.John'sHardwareinPoolesvillehasbeenabletowrangletheglobalsupplychainstokeephisstoreopenandstockedwithcriticalitemswecouldn'tfindanywhereelse--masks,disposablegloves,cleaningsupplies,papertowels,andyes,eventoiletpaper!!Andourlocalchurchesaremeetingthechallengeofkeepingsoulssustainedthroughelectronicmeansthatkeeptheircongregationsclosewhilestayingsafelydistant.Globaleventsareremindingusofthepowerof"LOCAL"--locallypresent,locallyownedandavailableduringcriticaltimes.Adaptingdaybydaytotheconditionsaroundus.LocaleggsandmeatsatnearbyfarmslikeSavagesMarket.Andsoon,locallyproducedfruitsandvegetableswillcomeontoourlocalmarketatatimewhenglobalsupplychainsaresodisruptedthatcommercialfarmersarewatchingproducerotinthefields,milkbeingdumped,andchickensdestroyedforlackofprocessingcapacityandtransporttofarawaymarkets.Takeamomentandbethankfulforwhatwehavenearby,whatwecangrowinourowngardensandraiseinourpastures.Bethankfulforalloftheessentialpeoplewhokeepshowingup,everyday,workinglongerandmoredangeroushoursthanever.AndthatbringsmebacktoLillard'sCorner.JustthinkaboutthehistorythatCornerplotoflandhasseen.Thereallychallenging,dangeroustimes--theUnionandConfederatetroopsthatclashedwitheachother,thunderingbackandforththroughtownasthefutureofourcountrywasatstake,the1918SpanishFlupandemicthatdidnotspareMontgomeryCountyandtookthelivesofresidentsinDickerson,BoydsandPoolesville,andthesadprocessionsoffamiliestoourchurchesandgraveyardsinothertimesofwar.Andyet,ineverycase,betterandhappiertimesreturned--rebirth,recoveryandtheresolutiontoappreciatewhatwehave.Thatcornerhasseenalot.Andthistooshallpass.TheplanswearemakingtobringLillard'sCornerbackintoourdailylives--tomarkourLOCALsenseofplace,ourcommunity—demonstrateourconfidenceinwhatliesahead.Whatapositivelegacy.WethankJanandGaryBurdetteforthisopportunitytomakeLillard'sCornerpartofBarnesville'srebirthandrecovery.Staysafe,stayhealthy,staygratefulforwhereweareandhowwecanstillreachoutandhelpeachother! Mildred Callear

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ContactInformation:MildredCallear(Mayor):mildredcallear@gmail.comAudreyMorris(TownCommissioner):amorris9331@yahoo.comHollyLarisch(TownCommissioner):hal.larisch@gmail.comTraceySlotta(TownClerk):clerk.bmd@gmail.comWebsite:www.barnesvillemd.org

Sidewalks:ThecountyhasexpressedbudgetaryconcernsaboutextendingthesidewalkfromthecenteroftowntothePostOffice.InadditiontotheDecember20meetingwithDelegateFraser-Hidalgo,thetownmetwithCountyTransportationofficialsandarepresentativefromCraigRice’sofficeinJanuarytodiscussoptions.TheTown’sconsultantprovidedthetownwithaplanshowingapossiblesolutiontoaddressproblemsposedbytheland’stopography.Transportation:M-DOT,MTAandMARChavesupportedtheinstallationanduseofspeedenforcementmeasuresattheMARCstation.TheTrafficCommitteeisfollowingupwiththeCounty.Crosswalks:TheStateHighwayAdministration(SHA)agreedtoprovidecrosswalksatthestopsigns;theinstallationtimehasnotyetbeendetermined.Traffic Calming: StreethawkiscontinuingtopatrolonbothBarnesvilleRoadandBeallsvilleRoad.HourshavebeenreducedduringtheStay-at-Homeperiod.SpeedCameraRevenue:TheTownreceiveditsFY20paymentfromMontgomeryCountyonMarch20forourshareofthespeed.Thisrepresentsrevenuefrom5,587tickets.Bothlocationsexperiencedadeclineincitationsaswellasadeclineinvolumefrompreviousyears.Belowishowitcompareswiththepasttwoyears’revenue:FY20$19,477;FY19$23,598;FY18$16,760.ThereportprovidedbyMontgomeryCountyindicatesthatmostvehiclestravelabovethethresholdspeed(42mph)onweekends.

TownRecords:ManythankstotheTolbertsfordiscoveringthetownrecordsdatingfrom1888tothelate1940s.Thestatearchivesscannedthebookintobothpdfandjpgversions,whichwereprovidedtothetown.TheTowncreatedabinderofthepdfversion.ThebookcurrentlyisbeingheldbytheStatewhiletheTowndecidesthebestcourseofactioninmaintainingtherecords.

StormwaterManagement:TheTownsubmittedagrantproposaltotheChesapeakeBayTrustforfundingforaconceptdesignaddressingstormwaterissuesattheintersectionofBarnesvilleRoadandWestHarrisRoad.TheresultswillbeknowninJune.

Thestormwaterrun-offalongWestHarrisRoadissignificant,coversalargearea,andhasanumberofdifferentcauses.Theproposalsubmitted,ifaccepted,willonlyaddressasmallportionoftheproblem.TheTownwilllookintoacomprehensiveapproachtotheproblem,exploringothergrantoptionsavailablethroughtheCounty,State,andotherTrustsorFoundations.

Census2020:Don’tforgettocompletethecensus.TheresultsoftheCensuscanhavearealimpactonourstate,county,andcommunity,specificallyrepresentationintheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives,andtheapportionmentoffederalfundswhichsupportbothstate,county,andlocalgovernmentsintheirquesttoimproveourresidents’qualityoflife..

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TOWNUPDATES

DulyNoted

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Donnarecentlywroteabook,Chief,thatisavailableonAmazon.ItisanaccountofourUpperMontgomeryCountyVolunteerFireDepartment(UMCVFD).Donnaresearchedandinterviewedalotoftheoriginalmembersaboutthegroundbreakingandothergreatstoriesfromthe50sthroughthe70s.DonnametwithGeorgeHillard(PattyMenke’sfather),whowaschieffor39years.Greatreadingwhileyouareself-quarantining.

DonnaMitchellhasatleasttworeasonstocelebrate.HerGrandson,andournewesttowncitizen,DeanJamesMitchell,wasborninFebruary.BigbrotherJohnnyisveryhappy,andmommaanddaddyareoverthemoon.

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MakingMasksManythankstothemanypeopleinthecommunitywhohavesteppeduptomakemasksforpeoplewhoneedthem.CaroleJohnson,who,atthetimethispicturewastaken,madeatleast50(andundoubtedlymorenow)fordoctor’soffices.

HowtoBuildaWildflowerBomb

TheNewYorkTimesrecentlypostedanarticledescribinghowyoucanbeautifyyourlandscape.Youwillneedamixingbowlandbakingsheets.Add1partnativewildflowerseedmix(whatgrowsinourregionisrecommended)to4partspowderedclayand5partsfine-grainedcompost.Mixthedryingredientsthoroughlyandstirinwaterslowlyuntilyouhaveathickbread-doughlikeconsistency.Takeasmallpinchofthemudandrollitintoadime-tonickel-sizeball.Settheballsonacookiesheetandletthemdryinthesun.Tossthemoutinthespringorautumn,intoasunnyspot,preferablyonbaresoil,beforearainfall.

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DulyNoted(cont’d)

Forthefirsthalfofherproject,CharlotteplantedawildflowergardeninCampbellParkinPoolesvilletoprovideacriticalhabitatforthesepollinatorsandimprovetheoverallqualityoftheland.HavinggainedapprovaltoplantfromPoolesville'sParksandStreetsBoard,Charlottepreparedthegroundandaddedmulchandleafgro.Aboutamonthlater,Charlotteplantedthirtynativeflowers,composedoffifteentypesofpollinator-assistingperennials,includingbeebalm,greatbluelobelia,bergamot,andmilkweed(greatonestoplantinyourgarden!)CharlottereceiveddonationsfromColonySupply,DaveAshleySigns,andPoolesvilleHardware,andadditionallypetitionedforagrantfromtheTownofPoolesville.CharlottealsoworkedwithlandscaperGarthSeely,whogaveadviceonstartingthegarden,PresidentoftheSugarloafCitizensAssociationLaurenGreenberger,whocametothegardentohelpplantinthemostefficientmanner,andJaneThompson.Forcommunityinvolvement,Charlotteworkedtoeducatethepubliconhowtheycanbeinstrumentalinsavingourvitalpollinators.Sheengagedallagesofthecommunity,bycreatingbeewaterbowlswithelementaryschool-agedstudents,workinginthegardenwithhighschoolstudents,andaddressinggroupsofadultsonwhattheycandoforthepollinators,suchasbuyinglocalhoneyorrefrainingfromtheuseofpesticidesintheirbackyard.Charlottepresentedatanumberofeventsinhercommunitytospreadthewordonbees.Charlotteraninformationboothsatseverallocalevents,includingtheBarnesvilleHarvestFestivalandeventssponsoredbytheRusticRoadsandtheSugarloafCitizensAssociation,toprovideinformationonstepswecanbetakingtomitigatetheeffectsofclimatechangeonbees.TheGirlScoutGoldAwardrepresentsthehighestachievementinGirlScouting,andissimilartotherankofEagleScoutinBoyScouts.

CharlotteVogel,ajunioratPoolesvilleHighSchool,wasawardedTheGirlScoutGoldAwardinMarchforherProject“TheBuzzonBees:HowYouCanSavePollinatorsinYourOwnBackyard.”Charlotte’sprojectaddressestheissueofhabitatdestructioncontributingtothedeclineofthebeepopulation,aswellasthestrugglingpollinatorhealthduetoproblemssuchaswateraccessibility.Charlottenoticedthatamajorcontributortothesufferingpollinatorpopulationwasthelackofdiversehabitatsthatcenteredaroundbeingbee-friendly–createdwithouttheuseofpesticidesandhometoanumberofdifferentnativewildflowers.Charlotte,amemberofTroop4300inPoolesville,workedwithherprojectadvisorTinaBrowntoreceiveadviceonplantingthegardenandinteractingwiththecommunity,determininghowtostartthegarden,whatplantswerebest,andotherstepsshecouldtake.

BeautificationIsOneBenefitofQuarantine-

ByBarbaraDavidsonWhileourspringtimeweatherisn’taswarmasitnormallyisbymid-April,ithascertainlymadeforoptimalgrowingconditions–somuchsothatBarnesville’sBeautificationCommitteehasbeeninspiredtogettoworkalittleearlierthanusualthisyear.Ithasn’thurtthatCOVID-19hassuddenlyprovidedthemwithextratimetochanneltheirbeautificationenergies.ForJanBurdette,LisaHilton,andJaneThompson,beautificationbeginswithtrashpick-up.AsmembersofBarnesville’sBeautificationCommittee,theyhavesponsoredaTownCleanUpDaytocoincidewithEarthDay,whichfallsonApril22nd,forthepastsevenyears.NormallyabouttenofBarnesville’sfinestshowuptoservetheplanet–andtheirneighbors–inthisannualCleanUpDaytradition.Butlestanyoneneedreminding,tenisthatmagicnumberthat’snolongerpermittedtogather.So,withsocialdistancingnormsinplace,springtimeabundanceonfulldisplay,almostnotrafficontheroads,andfiveeagerBarnesville“beautifiers”withsparetimeontheirhands,whatdoesourstalwartcommitteedo?Theyhitthestreets!

Asthesepicturesdemonstrate,trashinandaroundBarnesvilleincludeslotsofbeercansandliquorbottles(includinganalarmingnumberofFireballCinnamonminiatures!),McDonaldscups,tireparts,andhouseholditems.Bottlesoftencontaintobaccojuicespittle.Beautificationisn’talwaysprettywork!Barnesville’sBeautificationCommitteehelpssupportourlittlecorneroftheplanetincollaborationwithBarnesville’s“GreenTeam”–agroupthatcametogetherinAugust2018whenthetownpassedaresolutiontoparticipateintheSustainableMarylandMunicipalCertificationProgram.WhiletheGreenTeamworksto“improveeconomic,social,andenvironmentalfabricofourcommunity”,theBeautificationCommittee,accordingtoLisaHilton,isallabouthelpingtocreateapleasing,wellcared-for,aestheticappearance.TheBeautificationCommitteemulchesandweedsaroundtownsignageandoutsidetheTownHallandMARCTrainStation,sometimestogetherwiththeMonocacyGardenClub.They’regivingadvicetothoseplanningthelandscapeforBarnesville’snewLillard’sCornerpark.Acoupleyearsago,theCommitteelaunchedan“adoptaroad”campaignwhichprovidesalessformalwayforresidentstotakeresponsibilityforclearingtrashontheroadssurroundingtheirproperty.Beautification(andGreenTeam)memberJaneThompsonsaysshehasnoticedasignificantdifferenceintheamountoftrashcollectedsincethisinitiativebegan.April22,2020marksthe50thanniversaryofEarthDay.Fromtheconvenienceofourhomes,ourfrontporches,orourbackyards,letusraiseacollectiveglasstotheBarnesvilleBeautificationCommittee–forturningthesow’searofCOVID-19intothesilkpurseofawell-groomedtown.

TrashthatJanandGaryBurdette,LisaandChristinaHilton,andJaneThompsonpickedupontheroadsthroughoutBarnesvilleonMarch28,2020

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Barnesville’sNewPark

Firstofall,theparkhasaname!ItwillbeknownasLillard’sCorner.ThenamewaschosenbyJanBurdetteandherfamily.ItwillserveasalastingtributetothecontributionsoftheLillardfamilytothetownofBarnesville.Alotofprogresshasbeenmadeoverthewinteronthedesignoftheimprovementstothepark.TheparkplanwaspresentedtothecommunityatthetowndinnerinMarch.Itisavisionoftheparkaswehopetoseeitinseveralyears.Thefirstphaseoftheparkimprovementswillfocusontheareanearesttothestreetcornerandwillincludeapatioareawithpermanentseating,removalofsometreesandshrubsandplantingofnewplantingbedsaroundthepatio.Thepropertylinewillalsobemarkedwithasplitrailfenceandsomewildflowerbedsalongthefencelineborderingthepasturearea.Thephaseoneworkisoutforbidrightnow.Assoonasthefinalcostsforthisworkaredetermined,thegrantapplicationwillbesubmittedtoProgramOpenSpaceforfunding.Lookforworktobeginontheparkimprovementsoverthenextfewmonths!

TownofBarnesvilleReceivesBronzeLevelPLANTAwardPLANTstandsforPeopleLovingandNurturingTreesandisaninitiativesponsoredbytheMarylandUrbanandCommunityForestryCommitteeoftheMarylandForestryBoardsinpartnershipwiththeMarylandDepartmentofNaturalResources.LindaPepe,whoisamemberoftheSustainableBarnesvillecommittee,nominatedthetownforthisaward.Sheisalong-servingmemberofMontgomeryCounty’sForestryBoardandhasledtheestablishmentandgrowthofMontgomeryCounty’sChampionTreeRegister(https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/green/Resources/Files/trees/champ-trees-register-2019-2020.pdf).LindaencouragesanyBarnesvillianwhoisawareofabigtreeontheirpropertyorelsewheretonominateitusingtheformonthebackpageoftheRegister.Thetown’sactivitiesthatwerenotedintheawardnominationincluded:

• Thetown’sfacilitationofacceleratedtreeplantingactivitiesonprivatepropertythroughtheTreeMontgomeryprogram(withhelpfromLaurenGreenberger).Todateapproximately80treeshavebeenplanted.Thisprogramisacontinuingeffort.PleaseemailthetownclerkifyouwouldliketohaveLaurenevaluateyourpropertyfortheTreeMontgomeryprogram.

• Thetown’seffortstosaveexistingtreeswhilealsoaddingtoourqualityoflifewithadditionalsidewalks.CommissionerLarischwasinstrumentalinresearchingalternativepavingmaterialsandconvincingthecountytokeepseveraltreesinplacewhensidewalkswereinstalledacrossfromthetownhall.

• Thetown’sencouragementofresidentstoparticipateintheNationalWildlifeFederation’sCertifiedWildlifeHabitatprogram.

• Thetown’sinclusioninthedesignspecsforanewpassiveparkacertifiedarborist’sreviewandrecommendationconcerningthehealthofexistingtreesandtheinclusionofnewtreeplantingsinthefinaldesign.

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YEStoFeedingBirdsinyourYard!!

ByAnneSturm

Attherecentbrainstorming/planningsessionforthenewBarnesvillePark,oneofthemanyinterestingideassharedwastofeedbirdsinthepark.Irecommendednotfeedingthebirdsintheparkasitisverymessy,andbacteriacanbetransferredfrombirdtobirdviathefeedersiftheyarenotmaintainedandcleanedproperly;andthiswouldrequirededicatedvolunteertime.Well,Iobviouslycreatedconfusionwithmycomments,asI’vereceivedseveralcommentsfromandaboutfolksthinkingIwassayingtheyshouldstopfeedingthebirdsintheiryards.Nothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.IhavebeenhappilyfeedingbirdsfordecadesandenjoyparticipatingintheCornellFeederWatchcitizenscienceprogram.IhavebeencountingbirdseatingatmyfeedersorfrommyfruitbearingplantsandtreesfromNovembertoAprilforseventeenyears.Ifparkuserswerejustwatchingthebirdseat,probablyallwouldbewell.Butbecauseofbacteriaunderandaroundthefeeders,childrenplayingonthegroundnearthebirdfeedingwouldnotbeagoodidea.Also,volunteerswouldhavetoberecruitedtokeepthebirdfeederscleantopreventthespreadofdiseaseamongthebirds.Salmonellaisonebacteriathatcanbepresentonfeedersandinthematerialandsoilfoundunderfeeders.AneyediseaseinfinchesarosefromabacteriacalledMycoplasmagallisepticum,whichjumpedfrompoultrytowildsongbirds,withasinglestrainofthebacteriapersistinginhousefinches.Housefinches,purple finchesandgoldfinchesallstayatthefeedertoenjoytheirmealasopposedtothegrabandflymethodofbirdslikechickadeesandnuthatches.Perhapsyouhaveseenasufferingfinchatoneofyourfeeders.IfirstsawahousefinchwithoneeyetotallyclosedstrugglinginfrontoftheCVSinPoolesville.Obviouslyapartiallyblindbirddoesnotlastlonginthewild.OftenIamaskedifweshouldbefeedingbirdsatall.Thelatestresearchsaysthatbirdfeedingdoeshelpaslongasthefeedersarekeptclean.Itmakessensethatprovidingfood,viafeedersandnativeplantsforfoodandshelterishelpfulwithhabitatlossbeingoneofthekeyfactorsinvolvedinthetremendousdeclineinourNorthAmericanbirdpopulationsince1970.Acleansourceofwaterisevenmoreimportantthanprovidingfood.Cleanyourfeederseveryonetotwoweeksbyscrubbingthemwithsoapandwaterand/orsoakingtheminCloroxandwaterandorvinegarandwater.Thekeyseemstobetogetridofallthespoiledseedandmushandmessinandoutsidethefeedersbeforewashingthemthoroughly.Thefeedersshouldbecompletelydrybeforeputtingthemoutagain.Ihavefounditeasiertohaveduplicatebirdfeederssothatthedirtyonescanimmediatelybereplacedbycleanones.Orthedirtyfeederscanbetakendownatnight,washed,driedovernightandre-hunginthemorning.Somepeoplehavetoldmethattheytakedisinfectingwipestocleanthe“holes”or“trays”ofthefeeders.Ihavenotreadanystudiesonwhetherthisiseffective.Detailsaboutallmattersbird(includingfeedingandcleaningyourfeeders)canbefoundatCornell’sexcellentwebsitewww.birds.cornell.edu.Orpleasefeelfreetocontactmeatannets1@aol.com.Iwilltrynottoaddtotheconfusion!

Sheep Tales Shearing April 2020 Asthepandemicrageson,thereisstillaroutinethatrequiresattention,asemblanceofnormallifegoingon.Thespringchoreissheepshearingandmyneighbor,AudreyandIarehappythatshearingisdeemed‘essential’.Webothhavejustasmallflockofwoolysheep,Audreyhas4andIhave2butitisimperativethattheirwoolcomesoffasitgetswaytoohotinthesummerforthem.WedecidedthisyearthatIwouldwalkmysheepovertoherplaceandEmily,ourshearer,wouldcometojustoneplace.

Thethreeofuspracticedsocialdistancing,lettingEmilygrabthesheep,steppingbackfortheshearingpart,thenEmilywouldmoveawayasIgatheredupthefreshlyshornwool.Audreymanagedthedoor,andwasthemain‘sheepcalmer-downer’.Togiveadescriptionoftheshearingitstartswithrustlingupthesheepintothebarn(whichcanbequitethesceneunlesseveryonecooperates).Ifoneroguesheepdecidesshedoesn’twanttogointothebarn,itcreateshavocandmaybeevensomeswearwords!Thebarnisdividedintotwosections,oneforshearingandoneforthesheep.Onebyone,thesheeparebroughtintotheshearingspace,floppedontotheirbuttsandthebuzzingbegins.Thesheepdon’tnecessarilylikeit,butwetellthemit’s‘SpaDay’andthatseemstoappeasethem.Aftershearing,theirhoovesgettrimmed,theygetdrenched(whichmeansgivingthemwormingmedication)andtheyareguidedthroughtheopeningtothesheepsideofthebarn.Everyonehastorunoverandcheckthenewlyshornsheepout,smelling,nosingandsometimesbuttingastheydon’trecognizetheirfieldmateandtheyhavetosetthehierarchyagain.Everythingwentsmoothlyandweweredoneinanhour.AudreyandIgatheredupthebeautifulfleeces,whichwilllaterbe‘skirted’whichmeanspullingofftheickypartsanddiscarding.Emilyhadalreadydone33sheepatanotherfarm,our6andwasheadedovertoanotherfarmtoshearmore.It’salotofhardbackworkandnotsurehowshedoessomanyinaday,butwearethankfuloursheeparenakedandlighterandreadyforthesummer.NextnewsletterI’llwriteaboutwhatIdowiththefleece.Fornow,keeponkeepingon.

Dalis of Dancing Leaf Farm

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2020PrimaryElection

The2020PrimaryElectionDateisJune2,2020.Itwillbeconductedprimarilybymail.Makesureyouareregisteredandyouraddressiscorrectbygoingtohttps://voterservices.elections.maryland.gov/VoterSearchInformationabouttheprocesscanalsobefoundatBoardofElectionsatmontgomerycountymd.gov/elections..

DogsBarking:Nowthattheweatherisgettingwarmer,andpeoplearehomebecauseoftheStay-at-Homeorders,pleasedonotletyourdogdisturbyourneighbors.Bringtheminiftheyarebarking.

MapofBarnesvillefoundinbookinoldbookwarehouseinJeffersonMarylandbyoneofDonnaMitchell’ssons.

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FloweringTreefromSusanPearcy’syard