This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
One more day! The 7th Annual Outsider Art Inside the Beltway exhibit opens tomorrow. Reception hours are 1 - 4 pm at the studio. Come meet the artists and see outsider art from across the country!
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
One more day! The 7th Annual Outsider Art Inside the Beltway exhibit opens tomorrow. Reception hours are 1 - 4 pm at the studio. Come meet the artists and see outsider art from across the country! This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
Sonny has a big announcement - our 2013 calendars have arrived! Come get yours at OAIB this Saturday from 1-4pm.
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.
by Sky Harman
Last time I wrote, I spoke of looking forward to the future and what meaning is gleaned from the act. As the cool weather truly sets in, as the Indian summer makes one last effort in shedding the long sleeves and sweaters from our shoulders, I must begin to look back and think of what has been and to do what I can to keep some of what we have done at the farm close in my cupboard and close in my heart.
Although all of the food that you all have eaten has passed through our hands, and I must admit that we have eaten well from the fields, we have little laid by to keep us through the colder months. In the height of the summer it is difficult to think of those times, when tomatoes will not be ever-present in our fields, when basil will not be in endless bounty, when cucumbers can only be purchased by the jar, but now as I look upon fields of tender leafy greens I think to those times, with the urgency of knowing that an end to the season is imminent.
Time is growing short for the tomato. We will do our best to keep the fruits ripening in our fields as long as we can, but tomatoes always die. I think now of the days of winter, when a hearty soup will surely do me well and know that now is that time, that I might be able to put away a jar or two. The same goes for all of the fruits of the summer season. Maybe all of you with greyer hair and those longer in the tooth are way ahead of me, but if not I must be the bearer of the season’s tidings. Lay by what you can! Let not tomatoes go bad on your counter, nor basil black on the stem! Don’t allow the cukes to go soft, or the pepper to mush! Alas, salad cannot be preserved, but the fruits of summer can be, and they should! Put aside your tomatoes. They can stand the test of time, if only we make the effort to preserve them.
With that act, with the preservation of food, we might hold a bit closer to our hearts the time that has passed and forever passes us. On that winter’s day, we might bring in a feeling of the warmth of August (or at least the early days of October) into our kitchen and into hearts.
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
Only four days until the opening for the seventh annual OAIB exhibit! Here's Justin Gorman's Really Bad Day to brighten your Tuesday.
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
Art Enables is closed for the holiday today, but here's another preview of the upcoming Outsider Art Inside the Beltway show. Opening reception Saturday, October 13th, 1-4 pm at the studio!
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
Art Enables is closed for the holiday today, but here's another preview of the upcoming Outsider Art Inside the Beltway show. Opening reception Saturday, October 13th, 1-4 pm at the studio! This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.
photo by Accokeek Foundation/A.Barnes
During recent work days in the Museum Garden, I’ve been asked by volunteers, visitors passing by, and even an occasional staff member or two, “What are those tall yellow flowers growing in the corner?“. While I knew the answer to the question–Jerusalem artichoke–I didn’t know much about the story behind these lovely beauties. I knew that the “Jerchokes” (as we call them) were planted a few seasons ago during an edible forest garden class, but I didn’t know why. So on to the internet I went.
What I learned was rather fascinating.
First, the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), which is also referred to as a sunchoke or sunroot is a species of sunflower native to eastern North America. Cultivated for centuries by Native Americans, the edible tuber has the texture of a water chestnut when eaten raw in a salad, or can be cooked like a potato–roasted, mashed, sautéed, or pureed in a soup.
Second, and to the part that I know that you must be scratching your heads in wonder about, why if it is native to North America and not an artichoke, is it called Jerusalem artichoke? Well, rumor has it that the Italian settlers in the U.S. referred to this abundantly growing field flower as girasole, which is Italian for sunflower. And over time, it must have sort of morphed into Jerusalem. The artichoke part came about, or so the story goes, when the French explorer Samuel Champlain after discovering the edible tuber sent samples back to his homeland with the note that its taste was like an artichoke. It’s amazing how the influence of so many cultures and languages have played a part in the naming of such a seemingly simple thing as a flower!
This is one of the many joys that I experience when working in the garden and helping out in general around the farm–that I have the opportunity to learn something new and even teach what I’ve learned. I find that every day is a learning experience here. I hope that you, too, have learned and can share something new.
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Accokeek Foundation.
Working in development in any non-profit you learn that there are many ways in which you can receive donations. Aside from cash, donors often give stocks, in-kind items, pro bono services, etc. One effective way for individuals to easily make tax-deductible donations is through a workplace giving campaign.
Workplace giving is an easy and efficient way to make tax-deductible donations to charities through payroll contributions. Together with your company, you can work to benefit your community by providing a much-needed stream of revenue to charities. Chances are that if you work at a corporation or for the federal government, you’ve had the opportunity to participate in one of these programs.
While workplace giving was created to improve America’s charities’ efficiencies, benefits exist for both the employee and participating charity. For the employee, these programs offer the convenience of automatic payroll deductions without losing the tax benefits of charitable giving. Since employers often match employee contributions, workplace giving provides the employee with the opportunity to directly influence their company’s philanthropic endeavors. For the charity, even a small pledge from an employee makes an impact when it is increased by the employer’s matching funds.
The Accokeek Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare Mid Atlantic, an umbrella organization that manages gi
ving campaigns for non-profit organizations that support environmental causes. The Foundation is also a partner agency with the United Way (Charles County, Central Maryland, and National Capital Area) who identify organizations that provide a service to their community.
Consider the Accokeek Foundation when filling out your workplace giving form! CFC #43499
This post is a reprint of a post that originally appeared at Art Enables's Facebook Wall.
Nine days and counting before OAIB opens to the public! It's our biggest show of the year and we are excited. Here's a preview of what Eileen will be showing in the exhibit.