Monday, May 14, 2012

Wildflower Festival June 2, 2012

32 Years of the Wildflower Festival and the Day has Old Favorites and New Offerings






BETHLEHEM, N.H. —The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests invites wildflower enthusiasts to kick off the annual Fields of Lupine Festival June 2 at The Rocks Estate. The day will mark the start of the 32nd Annual Wildflower Festival, with a full slate of fun activities planned at the turn-of-the-century Estate.


From cooking and planting to floral identification and edible flowers, wildflowers and other plants will be celebrated on this early summer day. Several workshops and tours are planned to entertain and educate visitors from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Festival will include guided walks by Virginia Jeffries, Anne Gruczka and Janet Hill along the Mile Path, which meanders through the historic Rocks Estate property, where the Glessner family, original owners of the Estate, collected and planted a plethora of flowers.

“This trail is off-limits to guests apart from guided tours, as per the wishes of the donors of the property, John Lee and Martha Batchelder,” said Clare Brown, of the Bethlehem Heritage Society and a Forest Society staff member. “The guided walks offer a chance for visitors to see the trail, a hidden historic jewel, bringing together the natural world and the heritage of The Rocks Estate.”

Interpreters will highlight the rich history of the Glessner family, who summered here beginning in the late 1880s, while explaining the natural world they loved so much. The Mile Path walks are limited to 15 people per tour and fill quickly, so reservations are strongly advised.

Local bird enthusiast Mary Boulanger will lead two birding and history walks past the original farm site purchased for $2,300 by John Glessner in 1882. Flower enthusiast Pam Dexter will teach participants to identify flowers using a key, a skill which both beginners and experts will find helpful in the field.

In the “Floral Edibles” workshop, Rocks’ volunteer Janet Hill and staffers Clare Brown and Carlene Quinn will share a variety of ways to use a range of plants to spice up meals at home. The program includes identification of the plants used and where to find them.

“Learning what you can pick and prepare yourself is getting to be a lost art,” says Hill, a gardening and cooking enthusiast. “We want to reintroduce people to what they can find in the wild or grow naturally.”

New this year are samples of three wines from Hermit Woods Winery. The wines selected are all made from local ingredients and will tantilize the taste buds. Those chosen for the day are Day Lily Wine, Elderberry Wine and Knot Tomato Wine.

Owned by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the landmark 1,400-acre Rocks Estate includes numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The farm specializes in rural experiences and provides Agri- and Eco-tourism opportunities throughout the year.

The cost for the day-long Wildflower Festival is $15 and includes lunch and all programs. A $5 discount is given with each lupine festival book presented.

For more information and a schedule of events please visit www.therocks.org For reservations and other inquires e-mail info@therocks.org or call 603-444-6228.
The Days Events and Menu (menu may be subject to change)
Historic Mile Path Walks 10 am, 10:30 am, 2 pm, 2:30 pm.
History and Bird Walks 11:00 am amd 2 pm.
Chef Demo 1 pm
Flower id 10 am, 2 pm.
Menu for "Edible Flowers" Lunch
Rhubarb Punch and Crystal Light
Marigolds and Cream Cheese with Crackers.
Home made jams and crackers.
Marinated Fiddleheads and Wild Leeks
Japanese Knotweed Soup
Mushroom Dill Soup
Salad with mesclun greens, Johnnie Jump Ups, Garlic and Chives.
Raspberries, vinegar and Oil dressing.
Wraps with Spinach, Cucumbers, Dill and Pepper with grated cheese and mayonnaise.
Sour pickles.
Ice Cream with Rhubarb Sauce
Rhubarb Cake
Wine samples from Hermit Woods Winery 

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