NESNA

The Northfield Garden Club’s annual Garden Tour has just taken place, and in case you couldn’t attend in person, now is your chance to do so vicariously.   Three of the six homes selected this year were in our neighborhood.

Let’s begin at the home of Brett and Michele Reese at 201 3rd St. E.,  which has undergone extensive restoration in the past two years.    To quote the NGC brochure,

“Just one block from downtown and across from the library, this 1887 home, complete with cupola, welcomes you with a beautiful lindenwood tree on the corner.  Retaining walls, brick walks, and a beautiful pergola invite us to circle the house.  Don’t miss the multi-colored playhouse in the back yard!”

Here we see photos of Brett and Michele, as well as their unusual front retaining wall and view of their home.

Next we move to the home of Brian McCaffrey and Cheri Moon, at 703 5th St. E.

“A new front porch invites you to sit and visit, and a backyard hammock portends even more leisure.  On three sides of an 1895 house, here is a garden that is a true work in progress!  Trees and ties were removed to make a cozy living back yard with a walking perenniel garden accented by shade gardens and more development yet to be realized.”

And last, but not least, is the home of Bruce Dalgaard and Carol Korda, at 614 5th St. E.

“Double wide and double deep would not adequately describe this large yard encompassing 99 trees and Japanese accents.  Two beautiful berms invite you in from the street with brick walks.  Walk around back to see the deep woodland garden and sitting bench, and don’t miss the huge water tank collecting rainwater behind the garage.”

Thanks to our hosts for this lovely tour!       Ed

Grace Clark sent this nice note after our picnic:

Ed,  After the Sunday Pot luck there were a few things that are now on  my front porch.  Green shirt, 1 small white table cloth, 1 red background patterned table cloth, 1 dish towel with green apples on it and 1 knife with lite green handle. They are on my front porch.  718 East 4th Street.  If you could some how put a notice out,   that would be great.  Maybe it could be part of an E-mail that would also state  How GREAT Sunday was with about 200 people in attendance and the dramatic reading of These Trees Shall Be My Books: A History of Central Park and the wonderful music of Brad Easterson and John Hanson.  All of the good food and conversation seemed to keep the rains away. Thank you all for the help in setting up for the pot luck and for cleaning up after the pot luck and for all of Carleton’s generosity with the tent and treats.   If we have a photo or the photo of the group that could go with it would be great.  Thanks so much for doing this.  Grace

—-And here are the impressive photos taken by Paul Hager.   Click on this link to see them.     http://gallery.me.com/phager#100071

This nice flyer, prepared by Grace Clark, can be seen about the ‘hood.     Ed

Please join with neighbors and friends
for
a Northfield East Side Community Potluck
and Neighborhood Celebration
Sunday, June 21,  4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
At the Parish House tent,
419 Third Street, between College and Winona
This year’s celebration will feature a dramatic reading of  “These Trees Shall Be My Books: A History of Central Park,” a short account of Northfield’s Central Park written by Marie Gery and performed by a merry band of local thespians including several east side neighbors!  After the reading, a group photo of neighborhood residents will be taken.
This informal neighborhood pot-luck dinner will be held, rain or shine, under a festive tent provided by Carleton College. Third Street will be blocked off to traffic. Lawn games will be available.  Live (“locally grown”) music will be provided by Wake-Robin: featuring Brad Easterson and John Hanson.
Please bring a favorite main dish, or salad (with serving utensils and a card identifying the dish). Colored table cloths and table bouquets of garden-grown flowers are also welcome! Ice Cream treats, cups, plates, and table cutlery will be provided courtesy of Carleton College. Water and other beverages will also be available.
All East Side neighborhood residents, friends, and extended family members are heartily welcome!
For more information, or to volunteer to help with this event, contact Grace Clark  (645-6330, Lisa Ash (645-7592) or Suzie Nakasian, (645-5652).
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 21!

A few weeks ago, students from Washington Academy cycled over to Laura Baker Services to volunteer their time planting flowers in the front garden.  Arriving with shovels in hand, they designed and put in a beautiful arrangement of annuals.   As the kids observed, now when they bike past Laura Baker Services this summer, they’ll see the fruits of their labor.  It was a great afternoon!         Shown below, left to right, are:  Sofie and Zac  Scheuerman, Scout Gregerson, and Meredith Reese.

Thanks, Ellen
Ellen Unruh, Volunteer Coordinator
Laura Baker Services