Most of us know that the expression ‘fall cleanup’ has become something of a misnomer. In our preparation for winter we are encouraged not to clean up the dead leaves or cut down plants as they become the winter homes for insects and other animals that keep the food chain of our habitats viable. This will look unkempt to some but may evoke a new, enlightened point of view as in ‘I understand things about nature that I did not before and have changed my behavior and broadened my aesthetic in response.” Or maybe you just want to save the fireflies. Admirable either way.
Habitats are delicate places where small changes have big impacts. We can augment birds’ essential insect diet by not shredding the leaves which on which next year’s insect eggs were laid. We can abet the spring awakening of pollinator bees that have moved into the hollow of goldenrod stems to ride out winter. The outcomes of collectively making small changes like these extend even to the human food chain. And the efforts made in the name of nature’s caretaking — however small — can also improve one’s mood and outlook.
The recent horrific news from the Middle East, on top of everything else going on in the world, sent me into an inertia powered by fear and depression. For two days I was unable to go outside for more than a dog walk. I recalled how I felt after the 9/11 attacks: a similar type of paralysis. At that time, the thing that got me back to myself was cleaning. Small tasks done meticulously: arranging drawers and closets, cleaning the floor, detailing the kitchen. At least I had control here when I had no control over the larger events that had sent me into that state of mind.
Reminded of that, I went outside to tackle more of my fall cleanup. Starting small, I concentrated on some bothersome plants that have been creeping into more space at the outside edge of the woods. One of these is a type of persicaria with small pink flowers that has efficiently spread outward into the lawn thanks to the lawnmower and crept into the woods by foot traffic. Oriental Lady’s Thumb Persicaria longiseta is a familiar plant to all of us and resembles a taller, native version, Persicaria pensylvanica.
Kneeling on a pad I pulled out five or six trugs-worth of the stuff. In its place I planted a native grass mix from Prairie Moon Nursery. It took me a couple of days to get this boring job done.
Something about the narrow focus and repetitive nature of the work seemed to be just what I needed.
Did I feel better? Of course! I was outside. I had accomplished a task. I had a sense of improving something; something I had control of. The persicaria will come back next year and the next; no doubt about that. But the effort has stopped it from spreading even more.
I recommend using this time of year to replace your old fall cleanup routine with invasive removal and planting of native perennials that require overwintering. Most herbaceous plants—native and not— have already gone to seed but those like the Persicaria longiseta are not gripping the soil and are easy to pull. Stiltgrass falls into that category. Young woody plants like burning bush are also easy to pull this time of year. In their place you can plant seed — maybe simply a shake of some aster seed off of a plant in your yard. Or seeds sourced from a reputable native seed company. Steer clear of wildflower mixes from big brands — I have noticed that they often contain non-native and even invasive seed. Ernst Seeds is a reliable source for native seeds with a helpful seed-finder tool on their website.
I will still spray the boxwood and holly with Wilt-Pruf and root prune a few shrubs I intend to re-situate in the spring. The dahlia tubers need to be dug up and stored and young trees need their tree guards installed. I have taken photos of areas I plan on changing a bit next year and will document my ideas so they are ready for spring action. There is still some time left to accomplish these tasks as well as those that will be helpful to our animal neighbors in our shared habitat.
Healing nature and ourselves.
Dee Salomon “ungardens” in Litchfield County.
Aradev LLC’s plans to redevelop Wake Robin Inn include four 2,000-square-foot cabins, an event space, a sit-down restaurant and fast-casual counter, a spa, library, lounge, gym and seasonal pool. If approved, guest room numbers would increase from 38 to 57.
LAKEVILLE — The public hearing for the redevelopment of Wake Robin Inn is over. Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission now has two months to make a decision.
The hearing closed on Tuesday, Sept. 9, after its seventh session.
Michael Klemens, chair of P&Z, had warned at the opening of the proceedings that “this might be a long night” due to a last-minute influx of material from experts hired by Wells Hill Road residents William and Angela Cruger to oppose the project, but this turned out not to be the case.
These 11th hour submissions set a sour tone to the start of the meeting, with commissioner Robert Riva stating that it was “not very professional to pull this stunt on this Commission.” Riva said he had diligently reviewed the already substantial documentation provided by both the applicant and the opposing experts, and was surprised to find a “dump” of additional information submitted just hours before the meeting’s start time at 6 p.m.
Tensions were quickly eased, however, when William Cruger offered his concise summation of his platform’s opposition to the expansion, which is the second iteration of the project after an earlier version was withdrawn late last year.
“It’s important for you all to hear from me that there was never any disrespect intended to the Commission, the commissioners, and to the process,” Cruger said. He defended the last-minute submissions as an effort on the part of the experts to be thorough in their analysis: “Our intention… has been and remains to do our best to get whatever we think will be helpful in your deliberations into the record.”
The Crugers formally entered the hearing process as intervenors for the first application from Aradev LLC, the applicant, in the fall of 2024, meaning they and their hired consultants had full party status in the hearing proceedings. During this cycle, however, they chose not to petition for intervenor status, yet during this round of hearings their role has been similar. Klemens described them as having “almost intervenor status — not quite.”
William Cruger summarized the consultant’s findings for Aradev’s revised application, noting they found it to be “virtually identical in scale to the previous proposal.”
“Our position is that the proposed expansion would absolutely negatively impact the usefulness, enjoyment and value of the surrounding properties,” he said.
Aradev’s attorney Joshua Mackey countered by saying that the special permit conditions would elevate the currently non-conforming hotel in the zone, describing it as a “community asset that is improved, regulated, and safeguarded for generations to come.” He characterized Aradev as “the next steward of this storied property.”
After Mackey and Aradev co-founder Steven Cohen concluded their remarks, Klemens closed the hearing with no public comment, which he had stated would be the case at last week’s hearing session on Thursday, Sept. 4. Klemens said that P&Z will begin deliberating the proposal in early October after the commissioners have had the chance to review the information in the record.
A total of 45 letters, including the Crugers’ experts’ testimony, were submitted since the Sept. 4 meeting alone, alongside hundreds of pages of application materials and additional testimony.
As the Commission deliberates and reviews, all of this information is available for public viewing on the “Meeting Documents” subpage under P&Z’s section on the town website, www.salisburyct.us.
The Commission must issue a decision on the application by Nov. 13, the end of the statutorily defined deliberation window.
The Weavery is Stanton Home’s oldest activity space, featuring a collection of vintage and modern floor looms. It offers opportunities for building dexterity, creative expression, and social connection through fiber arts.
Stanton Home is holding its annual Harvest Roast fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Great Barrington, an evening of farm-to-table dining, live swing music, and community connection.
For nearly 40 years, Stanton Home has supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential programs, therapeutic services and skill-building activities.
“Here in the Berkshires, adults with diverse abilities often face barriers like limited housing, tricky transportation, and fewer opportunities for meaningful work,” said Executive Director Peter Stanton. “Stanton Home flips that script. Our mission is to partner with adults to pursue healthy, self-determined lives.”
The Harvest Roast features locally grilled meats, roasted vegetables from Stanton’s own gardens, warm apple crisp with SoCo Creamery ice cream, and beverages —all set to the swing and gypsy jazz rhythms of the Lucky 5 Band.
“The Harvest Roast is a celebration of what makes our community strong, inclusive, and vibrant,” Stanton said. “Every ticket and sponsored table supports programs that make a lasting difference.”
Guests will begin in the gardens with a signature cocktail before gathering at long farm tables for a shared meal and celebration.
“Though this night matters, the work is year-round,” Stanton added. “People can help by shopping locally at the farm store or buying handmade weavery goods, pitching in with time or skills, gardening, lending a hand at events or by partnering with Stanton’s programs like composting or sourcing local goods. Folks can also speak up for inclusion in their workplace or community circle. Even the smallest action helps keep the mission alive.”
Tickets are $125 per person. Proceeds support Stanton Home’s inclusive programs. Reserve at donorbox.org/events/771775/steps/choose_tickets or call 413-441-0761.
Following the memorable benefit reading last season of Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated Broadway hit, “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” the Sharon Playhouse will present a one-night-only staged reading of his riotous comic melodrama “Die Mommie Die!” on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
The production —a deliciously over-the-top homage to classic Hollywood mid-century thrillers — continues the Playhouse’s artistic partnership with Busch, who reprises his iconic role of the glamorous yet troubled songstress Angela Arden.
The playwright and performer is no stranger to the Playhouse and, luckily, he’s supported by a truly stellar powerhouse cast of top-notch comic actors — some returning to the Playhouse stage, and some making their debut. The cast includes Richard Kind; two-time Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen, who was part of the original New York cast; Tony Award winner Celia Keenan-Bolger; Andrew Keenan-Bolger; and Claybourne Elder.
The production also marks a fortuitous alignment of talent and history. It is directed by Sharon Playhouse Artistic Director Carl Andress, who performed in the play’s Los Angeles premiere in 1999.
“I have a long and happy history with this particular show,” Andress said. “At the Sharon Playhouse, we’re thrilled to offer unforgettable, one-of-a-kind live experiences. With Charles Busch and this phenomenal cast, ‘Die Mommie Die!’ will surely light up the Olsen Stage with laughter, wit and glamour.”
The original music is by Lewis Flinn, whose score for the 2007 Off-Broadway production is being adapted specially for this event.
The play is a classic Charles Busch concoction that, like all his work, lovingly and intelligently spoofs some of the greatest talents and tropes of stage and screen. The original production was praised by critics as his “funniest, most accomplished and, without question, raunchiest work.”
In 2003, Busch won the Best Performance award at the Sundance Film Festival for the film version of “Die Mommie Die!” His indelible contributions to American theater have been recognized with countless awards and he was recently inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
The event promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter, glamour and theatrical fun, with all proceeds going to benefit Sharon Playhouse’s productions and educational programs. The funds will help ensure that the Playhouse continues to thrive as a cultural destination for audiences and artists alike.
For tickets, visit: sharonplayhouse.org. Running time: 90 minutes.
Richard Feiner and Annette Stover have worked and taught in the arts, communications, and philanthropy in West Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York. Passionate supporters of the arts, they live in Salisbury and Greenwich Village.
