By Chrissy Clancy

Senior Citizen Coordinator, Clay Recreation Department

While we’re still in the winter doldrums, it’s not too early to begin thinking about spring in the town of Clay.

Applications are now being accepted for community garden plots and/or public greenhouse space at Project: GREEN, located at 9604 Blackcreek Road in Brewerton (off Caughdenoy Road). Visit townofclay.org/recreation/home to download your participation waiver. Contact Chrissy Clancy at [email protected] or 315-652-3800 ext. 137 to sign up for a garden plot.

Read on for more upcoming spring fun:

Save the Bees 101: March 7

The town of Clay will host a “Save the Bees 101” workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Town of Clay Senior Center, located at 4948 Route 31.

Spend a cozy winter afternoon learning the basics of beekeeping. Join Don MacCombie of Sunshine Honey Bee Farm (East Syracuse) for a daylong workshop of information, facts and fun all revolving around:

• Bees Facts vs. Myths: The secret life of bees.

• The Hive Mind: The social structure and inner workings of the hive.

• Bee Jobs: Workin’ 9-5 in the beehive.

• Save the Bees: Ideas for changing your habits to sustain a bee friendly environment and lifestyle. What does a bee friendly landscape look like?

• What Bees Like: Discussion of native plants for your bee garden and why native is important.

• I Might Want to Get Bees: A simple overview of beginning beekeeping from hive to honey harvest.

• The Swarm: What to do when you see one.

• Raw Local Honey: What’s it taste like? What’s the big deal?

• I Can’t Get Bees but I Really Want to Beekeep: Completion of this program allows you to join us Spring 2020 as a hands-on hive apprentice in the Town of Clay Community Beekeeping Program at the Project: GREEN Community Gardens on Blackcreek Road.

• Where Do I Get Bees? We’ll give you options.

Bring a notebook, pen/pencil and lunch. Doughnuts and coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10. Rain date is March 14. Pre-registration is required. Sign up at townofclay.org or contact Chrissy Clancy at [email protected] or 315-652-3800 ext. 137. This family-friendly program is open to ages 12 and up. Cost: $30 per person; family rate is $15 per additional person.

Art in the Gardens

As part of Project: GREEN’s Pollinator Awareness program, the town of Clay is announcing Art in the Gardens 2020. Artists are invited to work over the winter on either an intention flag or pallet art. Completed artwork will be installed in the community garden.

Projects are on your own. Deadline for submissions is May 4, 2020. Completed works of art may be dropped off anytime at the Town Hall for initial indoor display.

An art installation ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, at Project: GREEN Community Gardens and Public Greenhouse (9604 Blackcreek Road, Brewerton).

Guidelines for intention flags:

• Should be roughly 10”x10” plus inclusion of 1.5 to 2.0” hem, securely sewn.

• Decoration may be paint, quilted, appliqued, etc. Dimensions do not need to be specific.

Guidelines for pallet art:

• Pallet art may be of any size. Pieces will be installed throughout the gardens as art allows.

Miscellaneous guidelines:

• Family/community-friendly content only

• Pollinator/garden themes, please. Don’t forget we have a public greenhouse, too!

• Remember your art will weather. Pieces will be considered permanently donated to the gardens and will not be returned and/or guaranteed.

• Group projects are welcomed and encouraged!

For more information, contact Chrissy Clancy at [email protected] or 315-652-3800 ext. 137.