Battling Buckthorn

By Candace Page

A tearing, grinding hullabaloo arose as Gerry Hawkes drove his tractor into a seemingly impenetrable patch of common buckthorn below the Maple apartments one morning in August. The first phase of a long-term plan to reclaim nearly 13 acres of Wake Robin forest from the grip of invasive underbrush was nearing completion. The big, wedge-like teeth on the 2,500-pound shredder attached to the tractor’s back end ripped at the buckthorn. Rotating knives swallowed the small trees and spit them out in shreds. The machine drove deeper into the jungle, leaving behind a carpet of woody mulch.

“When I started here in 1992, this was all native forest with open areas of grass,” grounds manager Peter Hausermann explained as he surveyed the area from the third floor of Maple. That didn’t last: Buckthorn was on the march.

Common buckthorn is a vigorous, tree-like shrub, a European native imported to the United States as an ornamental in the 19th century. Like many invasives, it escaped from gardens into the wild and . . . went wild. Buckthorn leafs out early, creating shade and monopolizing nutrients so that native shrubs and saplings can’t compete. Its blue-black berries contain a natural laxative that makes them a poor food source for birds, who nevertheless spread the seeds. 

“By 2005, the density of buckthorn down here was at the point you couldn’t walk through it,” Peter remembered. By 2021, it was difficult to see the few remaining large oaks, butternut, and ash in the woods; the jungle was a poor habitat for birds and wildlife.

But what to do? Removing buckthorn (and its sidekick, invasive honeysuckle) in any quantity is nearly impossible to accomplish by hand. “I’ve never seen anything like its root system,” Peter said. “It’s incredibly strong and tolerates any condition.” Though he had wanted to attack the problem for years, he had found no feasible method.

Then Wake Robin’s consulting forester, Joe Nelson, learned of Gerry Hawkes and his firm, Forest Savers. A Woodstock contractor and tinkerer, Gerry had turned his tractor into an assault force for clearing invasives in places where native trees need to be spared. “All of a sudden we saw the opportunity in the cheapest way possible to achieve something you can’t do manually,” Peter said.

Over many days this summer, Gerry and his tractor worked their way through 12.5 acres of woods in Wake Robin’s southwest corner. His machinery—debris rake on the tractor’s front, cutter/shredder on the back—cut down the invasives and chewed up everything, while leaving desirable trees untouched. (Much of the green and white ash went too, since those trees are doomed by the arrival of the emerald ash borer.)

Now, Joe Nelson said, there’s a chance for a different kind of woodland to thrive. Audubon Vermont’s Mark LaBarr, who also consulted on the project, said he hopes a variety of native shrubs will join the small clumps of native, fruit- bearing hawthorn left behind by the clearing work. Gray-stem and red-osier dogwood and viburnum, for example, “are great for pollinators, and they produce a great supply of berries in late summer and fall,” Mark said. Shrubland dwellers like gray catbirds and eastern towhees may be drawn to the area. “And we’d love to see blue-winged warblers and golden-winged warblers.” Joe and Mark will work with Wake Robin this winter to devise a master plan to guide future management of the woods.

If Wake Robin can succeed in preventing the resurgence of buckthorn and honeysuckle, the woodland between Maple and the railroad tracks will become a mosaic of native trees, grassy areas, and shrubs. That will require ongoing work for at least the next three to five years. The land will need to be mowed and brush-hogged to cut down the invasives that sprout from seeds and roots left behind by this summer’s work.

County forester Ethan Tapper visited the site and was impressed by what he saw, though he warned, “It’s the follow-up that will determine whether this is a success…there is so much buckthorn in the Champlain Valley that the threat will always be there.” He added that Wake Robin residents shouldn’t expect the cleared area to become a neat and pretty landscape. Not all the remaining trees will survive the change in their environment, and the brushy habitat attractive to birds can look messy to human eyes.

By Nancy W.S.

What is that sport that has mature men perching in an unfamiliar, painful crouch to give a whiffle ball a tiny tap and nearly weeping when his octogenarian, minute female opponent slams it at his midsection? It is Pickleball! The court game has swept the country with those fifty and older. It is more forgiving than tennis and eons quicker than golf. Players can be any sex, size and age. Wake Robin resident and dedicated player Nan M. captures it’s appeal: “It’s a silly game and you can’t get that worked up about it.” Its only drawback is The Dink, that humiliating tap shot that must be mastered to qualify as a superior player.

Pickleball is popular at Wake Robin

Peter G. is the originator of the Pickleball movement here, having been introduced to it while visiting friends in Florida. His leadership style of relentless persistence and wry humor had us turn eight parking spaces at the Community Center into a wildly inaccurate version of a regulation court. Audiences thronged to watch us develop basic skills while tripping over curbing, crushing shrubbery and dodging moving vehicles. This year a much better temporary, almost legitimate court was created and there are now about 30 players.

Peter was aware of a 2018 bequest to Wake Robin with usage unspecified. He put together a case for Pickleball that created traction in the movement. Dick H., longtime tennis pro and keeper of our two world-class Har Tru courts, tried the sport and jumped on the bandwagon. He was key in deflecting the idea of paving over the existing courts for Pickleball. Our tennis courts get more players every year. Myriad potential sites were considered. Great progress was made recently when Peter Hausermann, our well-loved grounds man, designated the site to be above the tennis courts, next to the gardens. It is more central than many alternatives and as attractive to spectators as players. There will be a sitting area with flowers, shade, and a 4′ fence.

Our goals are now in view. Response from the residents has been great and the marketing department is finding that prospective residents are very interested in the sport. It is hoped the court will be built this fall in conjunction with other planned paving projects.

Does Wake Robin really need Pickleball? Mary H., a woman of great energy and accomplishments who arrived recently, thinks so. “This (game) makes me feel like I belong in the community.” What a gift.

Shelburne, Vermont is a special place. Chartered in 1763, the land was ripe for farming and milling. Over time, it has blossomed into a tourist destination for history buffs, foodies, naturalists – all types! The town is just south of Burlington, Vermont’s largest city and cultural hub, and it also is located on the shores of Lake Champlain. Shelburne is a four-season experience and you would do no wrong visiting any time of year. Whether you’re new to the area, or have been a resident for years, the following are some can’t-miss places to find in Shelburne:

• Shelburne Farms – A 1,400-acre working farm, forest, and National Historic Landmark, Shelburne Farms is a treasure of the area. You can hike or walk, visit the animals, enjoy the beautiful garden overlooking Lake Champlain, and dine and lodge at the historic Shelburne Farms Inn. Shelburne Farms is home to many wonderful children programs as well.
  

   There are many surprises for you waiting at the Shelburne  Museum, which is walking distance from Wake Robin!

• Shelburne Museum – A stones throw away from Wake Robin, Shelburne Museum features exhibits for everyone’s tastes. According to its website, the museum offers “an unparalleled and unique experience of American history, art, and design. Designed to allow visitors the pleasure of discovery and exploration, the Museum includes thirty-nine distinct structures on forty-five acres, each filled with beautiful, fascinating, and whimsical objects.” You can’t really understand Shelburne Museum until you experience it yourself!
• The Shelburne Farmer’s Market – The Shelburne Farmers’ Market is a one-stop-shop for all things local, all things Vermont.  The market opens at the end of May and runs through the second week in October on Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00, and on the third weekend of August it celebrates Shelburne Day with great fanfare!
  

  Beautiful Shelburne Beach, open to residents of the town

• Shelburne Beach – Enjoy this patch of Lake Champlain shore sunrise to sunset.  It’s a great place to picnic with friends, go for a swim, or play a casual game of volleyball or basketball. Also has a playground for kids, and a boat launch to get out on the lake. One of the most popular places in the warmer month!
• Town of Shelburne – Official website for the Town of Shelburne, where you can find the business directory, government services, history records, and more.

Wake Robin is lucky to call Shelburne home. With so much to do and so much to see, residents thrive both on campus and out and about town. Come see for yourself!

It all starts with a good cup of coffee; talk smoothly flows after that first sip. Conversation topics range from how to make a good crepe and proper ways to fillet a pike fish, to name just a couple. Residents in their late nineties and early seventies join together, some arriving to Wake Robin this month, and some who’ve lived at Vermont’s only Life Care Community for decades. They call it Coffee Connections, and now that the state is over 80% vaccinated, they meet in person every Friday morning, ordering coffee, hot tea, and pastries from the Wake Robin kitchen and bringing plenty to chat about. “Coffee connections is like catching up with old friends,” one member said. “‘What’s going on in your life?’ and ‘how was your week?’ open up a world of conversation.  There’s no agenda – it’s a space where we can learn about each other lives and truly feel connected to our neighbors.”

The Coffee Connections crew

Coffee Connections started as a need to meet the social challenges many residents felt during the restrictions of Covid. Staff brainstormed ways to make residents feel connected and not isolated. Exercise classes and Great Courses aired on 919, Wake Robin’s internal TV channel. Residents gave virtual presentations based on areas of their expertise, from sculpture to journalism.

Program and Events Coordinator Jena Necrason and Resident Services Coordinator Gretchen Roberge were motivated to offer more of a group dynamic solution. The goal was to create a virtual space where folks could have regularly scheduled social appointments. So Necrason and Roberge started casual Zoom meetings every Wednesday and Friday. “At the outset of the pandemic we realized it was crucial for Resident Services to still be approachable, especially during that difficult time,” said Roberge. “Coffee Connections provided that bridge for us and residents.”

Coffee Connections has met continuously since April 2020! Usually the conversation is open ended, but on two occasions the meetings were Thanksgiving and holiday themed. As Vermont increased Covid resistance, the group officially switched from virtual to in-person in May, when some restrictions were eased. What started out as a group of four to six people during the virtual meetings has now grown to a dozen or more! “It’s amazing that it’s in-person now,” one original member said. “It allows for anyone who’s strolling along to come on over and chat with the group! A resident who moved into the community just a few days ago joined and we were happy to have her, because we’ve all been in her shoes.”

Friendships have blossomed because of Coffee Connections. Bob and Alice, who moved here during the pandemic, became fast friends with Claire, a Linden Health Center resident, who came to Wake Robin when it was established in 1993. From first introductions on Zoom, the trio now meet regularly for meals. “Coffee connections has been a fantastic way of learning about people’s backgrounds and how they came here,” commented Claire. “I almost feel like a historian of Wake Robin in sharing all the transformations of the community. The group gatherings have been a real means to meet new residents and share my love of this place.”

Enjoying a good conversation

From empowering new residents to virtually meet their neighbors, Coffee Connections has matured into an informal and inclusive social group. Engagement is a major part of the Wake Robin culture. Whether you participate in pickleball, enjoy a larger group gathering like Coffee Connections, or prefer walking the trails with a single friend, there are many opportunities, small and large, to feel a great sense of belonging here.