I grew up on a pony farm in the foothills of the Adirondacks, thinking my field of expertise would be animal behavior. I discovered the lure of plants while doing an independent study project describing the ecosystems in southern California. My parents were both tree lovers, so I guess I was predisposed. I got my B.A. in biology from Antioch College, then spent a semester studying and lab assisting plant taxonomy at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, before going on to get a Master of Arts Teaching at UMass Amherst. My career, however, was spent working for the New York State Education Department, helping the public schools create a climate and programs to prevent the development of critical health problems later in life.

Since retirement two years ago, I have turned my attention to following my passions: gardening, photography, learning and sharing my knowledge and skills with others. My townhouse in East Greenbush, NY, has no lawn, but 2400 square feet of garden. Last year I was a winner in a Country Gardens Magazine contest, so I expect my garden will appear in a future issue of the magazine.

My closet is full of a lifetime of vacation photos waiting to be composed into whatever I can find to do with them. Which led to my involvement with the Berkshire Botanical Garden when I shared a small collection of photos I’d taken here over the years with the staff (see cover). The Berkshires have become a favorite destination, so I expect to provide the Garden with many more photos, as well as horticultural assistance. My current project here includes plants and information for the new daylily beds and an album on garden commemoratives. I’m also an active member of the Hudson-Adirondack Daylily Society, the Capital-Hudson Iris Society, and the East Schodack Garden Club.

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