The Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph
WHERE HISTORY AND NATURE COLLIDE...
Nature News
Summer 2014
How Our Garden Grows
This was the first full season for the new
garden on the west side of the Remington Nature Center. Our goal was to attract
butterflies, bees, and birds to the area.
With possible future educational programming in mind, we also designated a
portion to be a “Three Sisters Garden,” the
Native American planting of corn, beans,
and squash. The corn stalk would support
the string beans, the beans would anchor
the corn and the squash plants would
act as a mulch to keep weeds down and
moisture in.
By Beth Downey, Remington Nature Center Front Desk Staff
the Remington Nature Center would not
be possible without them!
I have enjoyed working in the garden and
exchanging greetings with the walkers,
cyclists, and their four-legged companions. Bo, Boots, and Killer (who weighs
about 3 lbs.) are a few of the regulars that
cheer me on!
Photo by Beth Downey
Bev and Mitch have not only volunteered
their extensive knowledge and physical
labor for the past three years, they have
donated all the perennials (with the exception of the roses) on the Remington
Nature Center’s grounds! The gardens at
SEEDS: Sweet Corn (Golden Cross Bantam), Garden Bean (Dragon Tongue),
Pumpkin/Squash (Connecticut Field),
Pumpkin (Big Max) - Competition size
- often 100 + lbs., Nasturtiums (Jewel
Mixed Colors)
Pony Express
Mochila!
Truckloads of weeds hauled, thousands
of pounds of mulch spread and 300 hundred plus annuals and perennials planted, as well as approximately one third of
the garden planted from seed.
We started planting in May with the very
vocal guidance of a pair of wrens, who
were nesting nearby in one of the houses
on the trail. If you are familiar with these
little birds, you know what I mean! They
gave their opinion through the whole
process. While I appreciated their input,
my real guidance came from two very
special friends, Beverly Hoyt and Mitch
Jameson.
tiana, Salvia, Petunias, Marigolds, Vinca,
Agastache, Sweet Potato Vine, Cuphea,
Peter’s Gold Carpet, Slightly Strawberry,
Moss Rose and many more.
•We done it. We enjoyed looking for the
flags. This is a nice place. --Memphis C.
•Northwest Missouri Genealogy Society
Loves Remington Nature Center!
The garden is a work in progress, and
progress is being made. I hope the butterflies, birds, and bees will bear with me.
It’s hard to improve upon this amazingly
beautiful place! I truly appreciate the opportunity to try.
•I saw the Pony Express. My grandma explained it to me. --Grant
PERENNIALS: (donated by Beverly Hoyt
and Mitch Jameson): Sedum, Mums, Iris,
Day Lilies, Hostas, Soloman Seal, Hydrangas, Rose of Sheron, Purple Cone Flower,
Golden Forsynthia, Peonys, Lithrum, Asters and many more.
•Me and mom came--just like someone told
us. This place is NEAT! Thanks, Vickie
ANNUALS: Mammoth Sunflowers, Nico-
•Chloe and Nick really love this place!
•What a wonderful slice of St. Joe history!
We’ll be coming back!
•Underappreciated, to say the least. AWESOME!
•My grandchildren really enjoyed this museum. We are from Wichita, KS. We love museums. Kids learned a lot. --Christina B.
...photos
New Items on Display
By Barbara Russell, Remington Nature Center Administrative Technician
We have several new displays at the
Remington Nature Center, thanks to
generous loans from local St. Joseph
residents Robert and Cathie Rosenthal.
Nature Center Garden
Photo by Beth Downey
The first display consists of Robert and
Cathie’s extensive owl collection, in
addition to several taxidermed owls.
The display is both educational and
whimsical, and consists of 74 owls.
There are owls made of shells, wood,
ceramics, onyx, glass, brass, pottery,
and even leather! This exhibit is a perfect example of how art imitates nature, and
is inspired by its unique beauty. If you are a fan of owls, this is a must-see!
The other display, on loan from the
Rosenthals, gives a peek into St. Joseph history, and is an eclectic collection of Stetson Hat memorabilia. There
are several lovely hats, including an
authentic beaver top hat, and Dago
Sommier’s original Tom Mix style hat,
made specifically for him by the Stetson Hat Factory in St. Joseph. If you
have worn a Stetson, own a Stetson,
or just have an interest in St. Joseph’s
place in American hat history, you will
certainly enjoy this exhibit.
Yellow Peony in Full Bloom
Photo by Barb Russell
If you haven’t been by to see these new exhibits, please be sure to visit soon. Also, if
you have a collection of items you’d like on temporary display at the nature center,
let us know. Maybe the next new display will be yours!
July Mock Archaeological Dig
Photo by Jocelyn Weir
1502 MacArthur Drive
St. Joseph, MO 64505
816-271-5499
www.facebook.com/RemingtonNatureCenter
www.stjoemo.info/index.aspx?nid=250
Hours:
Monday-Saturday
10am - 5pm
At Carnegie Public Library in
Albany, MO
Photo by Andrea George
Sunday
1pm - 5pm
Admission
Adults: $3
Seniors: $2
Youth (4-15): $1
3 and under: Free
Closed on...
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President’s Day
Easter
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Day