Sunday, July 10, 2016
Weekend Musings
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Visitors from St. Louis
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Martinview Cottage Repairs, Summer 2012
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Sad News for the Ginkgo Trees
- The trees have been subject to many years of wild growth, with little or no proactive maintenance.
- This resulted in problematic features such as codependent stems becoming dual trunks in the mature trees, causing a major weakness at the crotch.
- The trees were planted too close to the foundation of the house (6’ as opposed to the ideal 20’ to 30’ from the foundation). This combined with the decade-long intrusion of impervious landscape elements such as blacktop has compromised the natural root development—and therefore overall health—of the trees.
- The October 2006 storm caused further damage to the already weakened trees.
- The work required to complete site work elements in this area in Phase IV will cause irreparable harm to the trees’ root systems and will ultimately kill both trees.
- Proceeding with the restoration work with the trees in place (in the hope that they might somehow survive) would increase the risk of limbs breaking and causing injury to visitors or damage to property.
Executive Director
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy New Year -- The Driveway Is Finished!
On this last day of 2007 the new driveway at the north end is finished, and the workers have until the end of January 2008 to clean up the site and move on. It's unbelievable to the neighbors that the crew was able to pour the concrete in December, considering how bad the weather was. We saw the crew shoveling snow (with hand shovels) off the prepared bed in order to get the concrete poured. Good thing concrete heats up as it cures! The two photos show the new driveway. The crews working on the south side of the Martin House are still working almost daily, even in the cold and snow.
Happy New Year -- just imagine what excitement is in store for us at the Martin House Complex in 2008!
Monday, December 10, 2007
How Many Visitors in 2007?
We are seriously considering putting in a driveway, which would entail our destroying our garden space next to the house. Since we have no back yard -- only this side yard -- we would have no more lawn or gardens. But, at least, we would be able to park near our house on weekends when we have groceries, etc. to carry. We'll probably wait until the tour entrance/exit moves to the Jewett Parkway entrance before we make a final decision. Maybe the parking situation will ease because more tourists will park on Jewett rather than on Summit. Anyone know a good architect to help us design a driveway and gardens that will look great????
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Preparing for the Holiday Rush
The Wisteria Shop, now located in the Carriage House, is being decorated for holiday shopping. They have published a new brochure highlighting their new line of gift packages -- very cool. The packages are boxed in archival boxes with metal edges. Check them out at The Wright Gifts.