Northumberland is going to
grow. Let’s help it grow with order and
beauty.
Winter 2003, Volume 12, Issue 1
Annual Meeting
Happy New
Year
We start
off the New Year, 2003, with our usual Annual Meeting. The meeting is planned for Saturday,
February 15 (bad weather date February 22) at St. Stephen’s Church, Heathsville
at 9:30 AM for coffee, etc with our program beginning about 10:00 AM. Please mark your calendar for this event.
Our speaker this year will
be Mr. Al Fisher, head of the Northumberland County Planning Commission who
will speak on the Comprehensive Plan.
He is of the opinion that NAPS should play an active roll in the
revision of the Comprehensive Plan. A
good turnout will show that we are interested in this current topic.
Following the talk NAPS business will be conducted. There are some important decisions to be made during the business meeting. Should the annual meeting be shifted to a warmer time of year, say March? Should the annual meeting become a dinner meeting, perhaps at a local restaurant such as Bamberry’s? Or should we add a new Spring Function to our schedule, a dinner and get-acquainted party (not on Saturday)? Two new members of the Board of Directors are to be elected at the meeting. If anyone is interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please call Cary Caton (580 5922 or 580 5922 and email to cary@rivnet.net and\or aylward@starpower.net). If you have opinions on the above questions and cannot attend the meeting, please call any member of the Board of Directors.
The Annual Meeting will be February 15 at St.
Stephen’s Church with coffee at 9:30 AM and the talk starting at 10:00 AM
2002 FALL SOCIAL CALLED A SUCCESS
by
Sloan Kane
On
Saturday, September 21st, 167 people enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon at
"Sunnyside", the historic home of Martha and Stephen Tallent. This is the largest attendance of any Annual
Fall Social and is partly attributed to the many Williams, Jett and Haynie
family members who came to visit, once again, their ancestral home. There was also a handful of Yates', the most
recent owners from whom the Tallents bought the home. The presentation of the
Distinguished Northumberland Citizens Award is also a big drawing card for the
Social as well as a time for NAPS members to socialize in a lovely setting and
to welcome potential new members to the organization. We actually received 8 new family memberships and 12 individual
memberships, plus a few renewals! State
Sen. John Chichester and Supervisor Tommy Tomlin were among the honored guests.
As
well as having the largest attendance, this Fund Raising event also netted over
$1500, which will be put to good use in furtherance of NAPS' many environmental
focused programs.
NAPS
owes Martha and Steve a debt of gratitude for opening their home for the event
and allowing the guests to wander throughout the historic house and grounds.
Peggy
Fleming, President of Rice's Hotel/ Hughlett's Tavern Foundation, accepted the
Distinguished Northumberland Citizens Award for the RH/HTF. Accompanying her were Jack Gregory and Sue
Dollins, who accepted the award for the Tavern Rangers and Tavern Quilt Guild
respectively.
Of
course, no event as successful as this can be done in a vacuum. Thanks to all
the many members and non-members who worked behind the scenes and on that day
to put this together and make it run smoothly.
Special thanks to Mike Harwood for being the Master of Ceremonies, to
Barbara Yinger and the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club for the beautiful flower
arrangements, to Mary Ann Goodall for her keyboard entertainment and to
Adrienne Martin for her beautiful singing.
NAPS
also wishes to thank the many new members who have joined the
organization. Memberships are the
lifeblood of NAPS and its many projects.
NAPS
also owes member Mary Lou Butler, Chairman of the Social, a whopping
"Thank You" for snagging the Tallent home, organizing the event,
staffing the committees, keeping on top of things and for all the time and
effort she expended in making this event such a success.
Planning
for the Fall Social begins in the spring.
We are looking for nominees to host the event next year. If you would like to volunteer or have any
suggestions please let one of our Board members know.
Sewage Sludge Land Application
By
Mike Harwood
Chairman
NAPS
Sludge Study Group
Over
the past six months, the NAPS Sludge Study Group pursued SB 618, the sewage
sludge bill, through several meetings of the (Joint) Commission on the Future
of Virginia's Environment. On November 7 the Commission reported out a rewritten bill back to the Senate Committee
on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources. The "AG
Committee" will probably take up the bill sometime this month. Chances are
the Senate will pass the bill and send it over to the House of Delegates for
consideration.
The
bill contains some new provisions, which will place tighter controls on sludge
land application, but it is a long way from what those of us Virginians on the
side of protecting public health and the environment would like. But this is an
extremely controversial issue. Commission Chairman Senator Bolling believes
that the bill as written has the best chance for General Assembly passage.
Having said that, most of us feel that our hard work has elevated the debate
this year, and we well have to wait for more promising regulation until
sometime after June of 2003 when the EPA is scheduled to respond to the very
critical EPA Office of Inspector General and National Institute of Science/ National
Research Council reports.
Right
now, the Study Group is working with representatives of the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to decide
if we will introduce an amendment to the bill in the Senate Ag Committee and,
if so, to work out a lobbying strategy. In addition, we are working with the
Virginia Board of Health to see if we can make any progress. Stay tuned.
NAPS members are cordially
invited to the Garden Club of the Northern Neck’s third annual conservation
program, Protecting our Cultural Landscapes: A Conservation Symposium for
the Northern Neck.
Virginia’s rural
landscape is disappearing at an alarming rate. Our fields, waterfront and
forest lands are increasingly being fragmented reducing the open green spaces
so vital to our quality of life. The Northern Neck has a wealth of historic and
cultural resources – not only outstanding landmarks like Stratford Hall and
Historic Christ Church, but everyday places as well – farmlands and villages,
country stores, barns, seafood houses, mills and farmhouses – that have been in
use for many years and that give us our unique sense of identity.
At the symposium Charles A. Birnbaum, FASLA, will introduce participants to the principles of historic and cultural landscape preservation and its value to the community with emphasis on the link between scenic, natural, and cultural heritage. Mr. Birnbaum is the coordinator of the Historic Landscape Initiative for the National Park Service in Washington, DC and the founder and current President of the Cultural Landscape Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to stewardship through education.
The symposium will be
held on Tuesday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Rappahannock
Westminster-Canterbury in Irvington. Refreshments will be served. There is no
charge, but seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation,
please call Susan Tipton at 804 453-3915 or email tipton@crosslink.net.
6th Great
Backyard Bird Count
The dates for the
Audubon/Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology 6th Annual Great Backyard
Bird Count are February 14 – 17, 2003
On any or all the above count dates simply note the species of birds and
the largest number of that species you see at any one time. You can do this at your own bird feeder, or
walking up to one mile in your neighborhood or in a park. Watch the birds for at least 15 minutes on
each day you participate.
Then enter your counts
on-line at the Great Backyard Bird Count site (http///www.birdsource.org) and
use the State/Province Checklist to submit your highest counts for that
day. If you count on more than one day
then you must submit data for each day.
There are forms available to use for mailing in your sightings. After you have entered your count for the
day on the Web, visit the Map-room and see results from across the
continent. If you need help please call
Audrey Brainard at 580 5519 or try 435 0636, 435 3355, 453 5891.
Publicity Chairman Sloane Kane
A bio
by Sloane Kane
I was
born in South Carolina but, because of being in a military family, haven’t
lived there (except for a couple of brief tours) since I was seven. In total, I have lived in 11 States, as well
as Austria, St. Lucia and Trinidad (twice).
I moved to Burke in the early 1970’s, have lived in Springfield,
Alexandria and now Lottsburg since then.
In earlier years I also lived in Blackstone and Petersburg, so I have
actually lived in Virginia almost half my life! (But I still say I'm a South Carolinian!) I have worked as a dance instructor, flight
attendant (before jets and marriage), Director of Christian Education for the
church I attended while living in Ohio, and individual/family therapist. Since moving to Northumberland County in
1994, I have been active in the Woman’s Club and NAPS River Clean-ups and am a
docent at Stratford Hall, The Tavern, and Reedville Fisherman’s Museum. I love sailing with my husband, Bob, and
playing bridge. I also love the work
that NAPS does to help inform the public about the problems associated with
some environmentally sensitive issues with the potential of destroying the
incredibly beautiful and productive environment in the Northern Neck and
offering solutions to correct those problems.
NAPS
NUKES PHRAG
By Lynton Land & Susan Lindsey
On September 28 , NAPS sponsored a presentation in
Heathsville on the invasive marsh plant, Phragmites australis. Dr. Curtis Hutto, of the Division of
Conservation and Recreation, addressed an audience of about 30 people and
outlined the nature of the Phragmites problem, its history, and the
extent that wetlands in our region are affected. He then explained strategies for control and discussed the
initiatives undertaken by his department to implement large-scale control
efforts through helicopter spraying.
The majority of the participants had already
identified stands of Phragmites on their properties, and directed a wide
range of questions at Dr Hutton in an attempt to enhance understanding and to
clarify options. At the conclusion of
the meeting, Board Member Lynton Land explained the proposed role of NAPS in
assisting homeowners. The chemical Rodeo
would be supplied by the organization, pre-mixed with a surfactant, and NAPS
personnel would make on-site visits to evaluate and spray, as necessary.
About half of those in attendance requested help. During the following two weeks, Dr. Land
visited nearly 20 properties in three counties and sprayed numerous stands of
the invasive reed. Spraying had to be
completed by early October, when the plant ceased to translocate nutrients to
the root, so additional requests for assistance will be addressed next
fall. The 2002 spray sites will be
revisited in the summer to evaluate the impact of the spraying and to suggest
follow-up measures.
NAPS plans to offer Phragmites control
assistance annually. A grant has been
requested and, if the application is successful, the second stage in this marsh
revitalization initiative will be to offer property owners native plant seedlings
to help rebuild diverse and vigorous wetlands.
For further information, please contact Lynton Land
(453 6605) or Sue Lindsey (580 4137) and be sure to read the “Stewardship Tips”
on “Phragmites and Coastal Marshes” on the NAPS website www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps
Grass Planting 2003
By
Lee Allain
A
specific event -- NAPS Spring Marshgrass Planting -- will be planned, scheduled
and held in early May of 2003. The site
will be selected on the basis of access, suitability and chances for success. Volunteers trained by VIMS will prepare and
plant eroding waterfront at the selected site.
This will be similar in nature to our 2002 Planting which was supported
by FishAmerica.
A
second activity planned under this year's project will encourage waterfront
property owners to participate as "Marshgrass Pioneers." Those applying as Pioneers will have their
sites reviewed by NAPS in terms of their suitability for Marshgrass
restoration. Sites with good sun,
moderate slope and modest wave action will be favored. Selected sites will be provided NAPS
oversight and planting material on a shared-cost basis.
RFM Lecture Series
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Reedville Fisherman’s Museum continues with its public education series. This series provides an in-depth look at issues related to landscaping. There have been some changes in dates of the lectures. Lectures are held in Festival Hall in Reedville. They begin at 7:00 pm: Admission is $5.00; Refreshments are served.
February
17,2003
Dr.
William Roberts: Tidal Wetlands: Functions and Values
Dr.
William Reay: Water Quality Functions of Riparian Buffers
March
3, 2003
Ms
Karen Duhring: Shoreline Management
Mr.
David O’Brien: Chemical Use in Landscape Management
April
21, 2003
Mr.
Billy Mills: Bay Scaping Landscape Techniques
May
10, 2003
Field
trip to VIMS: Hands on and laboratory activities
Editorial
Mark your calendar for the Annual Meeting on February 15 at 9:30 AM at the St. Stephen’s Church. The speaker should who is head of the Northumberland County Planning Commission should be interesting to all members. The speaker is Al Fisher who is one of our Northumberland Distinguished Citizen Award recipients.
Keep in mind that there will be another spring grass planting. A specific date will be in the next newsletter. Did you read about the new category to target for grass planting? You better check it now!
There is an article describing the battle against Phragmites last September. There is also an article that promises what will be done this year. Obviously there are no dates set nor what exactly will be done, but one can discern the possibilities.
Yes, Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern Foundation was selected for this years Distinguished Northumberland Citizen’s Award. For the second time an organization was selected for the award.
Many people have volunteered to work for RH/HTF and have done an excellent job of great value to our County.
February may be a busy time. The Annual Meeting, Valentines day, the GBBC, Symposium, RFM Lecture all take place within a short interval.
NAPS 2002 Calendar
The NAPS board meets at the Northern Neck State Bank
in Burgess at 9:00 A.M. each month on the Wednesdays immediately preceding
Northumberland Board of Supervisors meetings (second Thursday). NAPS members and prospective members are
always welcome. Join the group and find
out about all NAPS accomplishes.
January
8 NAPS Board Meeting
February
12 NAPS Board Meeting
15 NAPS Annual Meeting
March
12 NAPS Board Meeting
April
9 NAPS Board Meeting
May
7 NAPS Board Meeting
NAPS Grass Planting
June
11 NAPS Board Meeting
July
9 NAPS Board Meeting
Northumberland
Association
for Progressive Stewardship
PO Box 567, Heathsville, VA
22473
cary@rivnet.net
V President...Lynton
Land......453-6605
jandl@rivnet.net
Secretary......Shirley
Smith......580 8011
sss@rivnet.net
Treasurer.....Bob Holley..........580
4090
reholley@rivnet.net
Cas
Olverson........................529-5555
realestate@port-starboard.com
Joel
Stubbs...........................580-4110
stubbs@crosslink.net
Ralph
Brainard...................580-5519
rbrainard@rivnet.net
Lynton
Land...,...453-6605, jandl@rivnet.net
Lee
Allain.,.529-5491, lrallain@crosslink.net
Robert
Holley.....................580-4090
reholley@rivnet.net
Cary
Caton............580 5922, cary@rivnet.net
Mary
Kier..............529-6071
marykier@crosslink.net
Susan
Lindsey...580 4137, sakwhl@rivnet.net
NAPS News Editor
Ralph
Brainard.....................580-5519
rbrainard@rivnet.net
NAPS Web Site
www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps
Web
Master
Rita
Johnson.........................580-3052
pjrj@crosslink.net