In the garden
Helping to educate children
Nature can be easy to ignore, says Henrico Master Gardener Faye Derkits, especially when a young person has a demanding school and extracurricular schedule and also loves video games, texting, and television.
That’s why Derkits and co-chair Pat Baskind head up a group of about 25 Henrico Master Gardeners who last year taught more than 50 classes on garden topics to children in public, private, and home schools. They also set up activity tables at school fairs, led teacher workshops, and offered activities in school gardens.
Now, the Henrico Junior Master Gardener Committee chairs are setting up the schedule for this spring, working with educators north of the James River who invite them into their classroom.
“There’s a need to educate kids about the environment,” said Baskind. “Plus, the classes are usually a fun learning experience.”
The number of class sessions, times and length of classes, and topics depend on what teachers request. Past classes have focused on plant propagation, flowers, insects, birds, composting, soil, and bulbs.
One of the most popular classes involves vermicomposting, or composting with worms.
“Kids love worms,” said Derkits. “You may have to remind them that worms don’t have teeth and put the worms in cups, but kids always get interested when you have worms.”
“It also helps to show by example,” said Baskind. “When we put a worm in our own hand, kids are much more comfortable touching them themselves.”
The master gardeners have found that many children don’t have very much experience with nature. “So we focus on hands-on experiences rather than on handouts,” said Derkits. “We use handouts, but I like to help children see what is around them. I want them to actually stop and smell the roses.”
She advises parents to take their children for a walk to learn more about nature. “Don’t be in a hurry,” said Derkits. “Let your kids stop and smell, or stop and touch. Or better yet, carry a plastic jar, and let your kids see if there are things they want to collect.”
The master gardeners have worked with preschoolers through highschool-aged students. And, at fairs or plant sales, they often involve parents in the lessons.
“Parents often have as much fun as their children when they stop by our activity tables,” said Derkits. “They love making pinecone bird feeders or planting seedlings. And we hope that later, they continue the conversation about nature with their children.”
“Kids do learn from these activities,” added Baskind. “We know that’s happening, and hopefully, they become curious to know more.”
“Of course,” she added, “we do this because we like kids.”
To learn more or schedule a class, call the Henrico Extension Service at 501-5160.
Henrico's Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is one of only 20 gardens in North America nominated for USA Today’s “10Best Reader’s Choice” contest for Best Public Garden.
The 20 public gardens nominated are:
• Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, New York
• Buthcart Gardens, Victoria, B.C.
• Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga. > Read more.
Photo by Patty Kruszewski/Henrico Citizen 02/24/2014
The Fifth Annual Henrico Police Athletic League (PAL) Award Banquet, held Feb. 6 at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, honored HPAL’s top volunteers and employees, including Morgan Lewis, Youth of the Year; Dale Alexander, Volunteer of the Year; Lowell Thomas, Employee of the Year, and Victor Williams, Board Member of the Year. Also honored for their support were Jim and Christi Dowd of Richmond BMW and Josh Davis of Henrico County Public Schools Pupil Transportation.
Keynote speaker for the banquet was Tim Hightower, a University of Richmond alumnus and former NFL running back. Hightower was introduced by Billy McMullen, former NFL player and a Henrico PAL board member. > Read more.
The Pocahontas Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, based in western Henrico, last year donated more than $1.3 million worth of manufacturers coupons to U.S. military personnel overseas. Throughout 2013, members and friends of the chapter clipped 952,349 manufacturers’ coupons valued at $1,350,630, which Program Chairman Carole Featherston shipped to U.S. military bases abroad. Military personnel can use the coupons when shopping in base stores.
The National Society Daughters of American Colonists is a women’s genealogical and patriotic society whose members are descended from a man or woman who rendered civil or military service in any of the American colonies prior to July 4, 1776. > Read more.
If you’re looking for a date night with someone special, Henrico is the place to be! Check out a classic 90s movie, “My Girl,” at Henrico Theatre; Circa, an innovative circus from Australia, will dazzle at the University of Richmond; and celebrate TGIF at Keagan’s Restaurant where the PJ Bottoms Band is performing. For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.
Abstract paintings of Inge Strack (pictured) are on display through March 9 at the Gumenick Family Gallery at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. Strack, a Chestefield painter of German origin, often paints in bold colors with a deep sense of emotion, focusing on brushstrokes, texture and form to find a balance. Strack’s painting is routed in the European tradition of expressionism but has found its own, unique language in following the American dream.
“I am not attempting to abstract the physical world," she said. "I draw my subject matter from inside of myself hoping to create a constant conversation between the viewer and the painting, especially since abstracts do not seem to answer but ask.” > Read more.
Do you play pickleball? Learn more about this oddly-named but fun-to-play sport tomorrow! Though it’s still pretty chilly outside, you can get a jump start on spring at the Richmond Home and Garden Show or at a workshop on raised bed gardening at Lavender Fields Herb Farm. For all our top picks this weekend in Henrico, click here! > Read more.
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