Program Calendar – October to December

Birder’s Walk

Thursday, October 5
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Immerse yourself in nature as you venture into the garden with New Jersey Audubon Naturalist, Dave Hall. This avian expert will talk about the varied species of birds that visit Greenwood’s peaceful woodlands and the surrounding 2,100 acres of South Mountain Reservation’s protected parkland. End the morning with refreshments at the gift shop.

Open to 15 participants.
$15 per person.

Register

Peter P. Blanchard III Lecture Series

Nature’s Best Hope

Sunday, October 8
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

with Doug Tallamy

Made possible by a generous gift from Sofia A. Blanchard

Join us for Doug Tallamy’s fascinating lecture based on his New York Times’ best-selling book, Nature’s Best Hope, in which he teaches us about the critical importance of creating landscapes that enhance local ecosystems by removing invasives on our property and adding native plant communities. Dr. Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware where he has authored 111 research publications and has taught insect-related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.

Open to 50 attendees.
$20 members; $25 non-members.

Register

Creative Arts Day in the Garden

En Plein Air Painting, Sketching, and Photography for Enthusiasts

Wednesday, October 11
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Whatever your preferred mode of creating art, en plein air artists of all skill levels are invited to practice at Greenwood on this day. Watercolors, pastels, pen and ink, photography, sketching, and journaling are welcome. Our century-old site offers magical views, iconic Arts & Crafts follies, stately fountains, and ample space in which to feel at home. What’s more, you might meet up with a skilled photographer for a mini-workshop, a professional botanic artist who can provide some special tips, or former students of our beloved Co-founder, the late Peter P. Blanchard III, who can share the special methodologies and principals he developed over his lifetime growing up on the estate. Artist easels and tripods are permitted provided they are not placed in the planted beds and pathways are not blocked. Drop cloths required for painting.

$10 members; $15 non-members.

Register

Experience Tai Chi in the Garden

Thursday, October 12
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

with Carl Klemme, Tai Chi Practitioner, Glow Yoga Center
Lean into the ancient Chinese technique of Tai Chi, a graceful form of exercise, akin to meditation in motion, through which various self-defense forms are strung together in a fluid, slow-motion sequence. The result is a quieter mind, reduced stress and improved balance, posture, and strength. Surrounded by the beauty of Greenwood Gardens, Carl, an experienced instructor, will demonstrate a variety of short Tai Chi flows that you can enjoy practicing at home.

Open to 15 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

Twilight History and House Tour

Tuesday, October 17
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy this rare opportunity to tour the first floor of the 1950s Main House, followed by a rambling walk through the 1920s property at twilight, a magical time in the garden. A special bonus:  experience the drama of the Main Axis illuminated!

Open to 15 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

Composting 101: Putting the Garden to Bed for the Season

Friday, October 20
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

One of the most sustainable practices you can maintain in your garden is composting, especially at the end of the season. Join Greenwood’s Head of Horticulture, Sonia Uyterhoeven, for a tour of our composting operation and a discussion of the basics of  composting, along with special tips and techniques for putting your garden to bed.

Open to 15 participants.
$10 members; $15 non-members.

Register

Experience QiGong in the Garden

Thursday, October 26
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

with Carl Klemme, QiGong Practitioner, Glow Yoga Center
Let the peace and beauty of Greenwood Gardens enhance your introduction to QiGong with Carl, an experienced practitioner of this ancient practice utilizing movement, breathing, and mindfulness to support and enhance health, longevity, and spiritual connectivity. This session will focus on the Eight Pieces of Brocade, a classic series of movements from which anyone can benefit and will be performed in different locations throughout the gardens.

Open to 15 participants.
$15 members; $20 non-members.

Register

For Members

Member’s Beer Tasting and Evening Stroll

Friday, October 27
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

The history of Greenwood includes a connection to beer dating back to the late 1800s when the property was owned by Newark brewer Christian Feigenspan who sold it to Joseph P. Day in 1906. We will celebrate this ale-producing forebear by sampling a range of beers, from ales to lagers to IPA’s, and sharing Feigenspan memorabilia in our collection. Round out this festive evening with a late fall evening stroll through the garden.

Open to 25 members.
$20 per person.

Register

Harvesting Honey

Friday, November 3
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

with Joe Lelinho of Hilltop Honey
Expert beekeeper Joe Lelinho will provide a fascinating look into the inner workings of that essential pollinator, the honeybee, and its complex colony.  You will learn about the lifecycle and challenges of bees, and the vital role the honeybee plays in our environment.  You also will have the unusual opportunity to observe a honey extrusion and taste a sample. After Joe answers all your questions, visit Greenwood’s gift shop to purchase a jar of our own honey to take home!

Open to 30 participants.
$20 members; $25 non-members.

Register

Peter P. Blanchard III Lecture Series

The Gates of Greenwood

Sunday, November 5
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

with Peter McCourt

Made possible in part with a grant from M&T Bank

Join historian Peter McCourt for an in-depth exploration of the two important historic iron gates situated at Greenwood Gardens. Peter will begin with a slide presentation about the intricately crafted Bird of Paradise Gate, the work of Edward F. Caldwell & Co., a pre-eminent designer and manufacturer of lighting fixtures and decorative metalwork from the end of the 19th century through the 1940s, and one of the only artifacts remaining from the Day’s 1920s Italianate mansion. We will then venture down to Greenwood’s ponds to view and learn about the elaborate gate that was designed by the architects Carrière and Hastings between 1914 and 1915 for the New York City residence of Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard’s family.

Open to 50 participants. 
$20 members; $25 non-members.

Register

For Members

Members Closing Day

Sunday, November 5
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We have reserved the very last day of the season for our members to take a final stroll through the garden.  Enjoy refreshments, guided tours, indoor presentations, and more. We hope you will take advantage of this special opportunity to soak up all the best of nature, beauty, and history that Greenwood has to offer!  If you have a friend or two that you’d like to introduce to Greenwood, please bring them as your guest!

Free to members.

Register

For Members

The Book Group at Greenwood Gardens

Tuesday, December 5
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Enjoy a guided discussion of a preselected book led by Greenwood Advisory Board member and Short Hills resident, Patti Manzi.  Light refreshments will be served. The Book Group at Greenwood Gardens meets quarterly. Book to be determined.

Open to 16 members.
Free to members.

Register

Christmas Bird Count

Saturday, December 16
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is hosted annually by the National Audubon Society in which volunteer birdwatchers throughout the northern Western Hemisphere take a census of wild bird sightings.  The CBC is the longest-running citizen science survey in the world and Greenwood is proud to host it for the third year in a row. Led by Greenwood Trustee and avid birdwatcher, Carl Woodward, we will explore the grounds seeking out the birds that winter here and report our findings as part of the Watchung Ridge Count and the annual report of North American bird sightings. Meet in the Cottage Parking Lot shortly before 12:00 p.m.  We will walk the Gardens together.  Basic bird identification knowledge is helpful but not necessary. Cameras welcome. Please prepare for cold weather by dressing warmly, especially with sturdy warm footwear and good gloves. Bring binoculars and bird guides.  Count proceeds whether rain or shine.  A thermos of something warm to drink may be helpful.

Open to 25 participants.
Free.

Register

See additional programs: January – May | June & July | August & September

< Previous Page