On Changing Leaves, Trees and Tiny Dancers

I am waiting a little impatiently for the leaves to turn. Usually, I start seeing a few branches turning in August, which just makes me sad. But now, with the air getting crisp and the days getting shorter, I’m looking forward to a little red/orange/yellow action. Where the heck is it?? The weather guys keep saying this should be a great year for color, but I’m not seeing it yet. I hope they’re not wrong.

While we’re on the subject of leaves and their trees, did you know there is a tree talk going on this Sunday, Sept. 30, up at the North Bridge Visitor Center, aka the Buttrick Mansion? Apparently, there are some very large and special trees over there in our Minute Man National Historical Park, and this will be a fabulous opportunity to learn all about them without having to travel far. In fact, if you’re a freshman at the high school taking Earth Science, I know you’re in the middle of the infamous leaf project; this could give you a boost in getting that project done.

The talk is being led by Donald H. Pfister, Asa Gray Professor at Harvard University; he’s an expert in this field and should provide an interesting time for anyone who attends.

It starts at 2 p.m. and, like many things offered by our National Park system, it’s free, though space is limited -- so you do need to register. You can do that by calling 978-318-7822 or emailing elanjuin@friendsofminuteman.org.

In fact, this talk is being sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park – I had no idea there was such a group – and if you love our hometown National Park as much as I do, you might want to consider becoming a member yourself.  Then you too can help preserve this local treasure.

Tiny dancer

There are many things I can do, but dancing is not one of them. I can’t seem to get my feet to move in any coordinated fashion. But every week I see the little girls in their ballet tutus going in and out of 51 Walden, no doubt dreaming of the day they’ll dance the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. They may get their chance sooner rather than later, because Emerson Umbrella and the Boston Urban Ballet have teamed up to put together The Urban Nutcracker, described as “the holiday classic with an inner city twist."

This is a great opportunity for dancers of any level and experience, ages 8 and up, to dance alongside the Boston Urban Ballet professional dancers and apprentices, under the direction of Artistic Director Tony Williams. What a great way to experience real ballet!

It all starts with a workshop this Saturday, Sept. 29, at 12:30 p.m. over at Emerson Umbrella. After that there will be weekly rehearsals on Fridays up until the performance on Dec. 1 at the Umbrella. There is a cost involved in this, so check out the website here for all the details before you get your little dancer all in a tizzy.

To get more information or to just bite the bullet and sign up, visit www.emersonumbrella.org or email Jason Springer at jspringer@emersonumbrella.org.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net and I will be happy to help you spread the good news. And follow me on Twitter: @stefanie3131.