Indiana County Parks ~ Yellow Creek State Park
“Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...the hurrying R-U-S-T-L-E
of crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind,
and the G-A-B-B-L-E of a flock of migrating geese.” ~ Hal Borland
October, November, December 2016
 Old Smicksburg Park ~ Paddy Tales
 The Rebecca Hadden
Stonehouse Museum Garden
 Something Told the Wild Geese
 2017 FOP Potluck Dinner ~
Calendar Date
Paddy Tales
My name is Padrig, but most of my friends call me Paddy. And I love to walk and
run around Old Smicksburg Park. Although I don't know why they call it "Old" because every
time I'm there I discover something new! Earlier this year the paths and grasses were low
and the fiddlehead ferns were just beginning to unfurl. The yellow trout lilies along the Little
Mahoning Creek were almost done blooming, but I would see their spotted leaves for weeks
afterward. Once I saw a Jack in the Pulpit, but when I looked again, it had disappeared!
The paths through the park criss-cross between
woods, meadows and neatly mowed fields and I never seem
to take the same path twice. And every time I'm there
different sounds come to my ears like the witchity-witchitywitchity of the common yellowthroat
warbler and the flute-like ee-o-lay of the
wood thrush. But my favorite sound is
heard where the path gets near the creek
and I hear the rapid-fire rattling chi-keeee of the belted kingfisher.
On one occasion I looked down the path and saw a Canada Goose
and her goslings. They waddled away before I could get a closer look. Another time I was
startled when a wild turkey burst from its hiding place in the tall, thick grass.
These days I'm more familiar with the different paths.
When it's hot I only take the wooded paths where it's shady
and cool. The meadows have gotten taller now and the Joepye weed stands the tallest.
Maybe when they call the park "old" they just mean
familiar, like an old friend. That is what Old Smicksburg Park has become to me. And I love
to go there with my best friend Nancy. And maybe someday I'll have the pleasure of
meeting you there. Here is a link to a brochure about Old Smicksburg Park =
http://www.indianacountyparks.org/downloads/smicksburg/smicksburgwalkingtour05182010v2.pdf
Submitted by Paddy
(with help from and my photo by Nancy Smeltzer), Smicksburg, PA.
“Yarrow, creamy, waist-high, liquorice scent-filled air,
sycamore saplings sprouting, thin as pencils . . .
1.
The Rebecca Hadden Stonehouse Museum Garden ~ by Louisa Fordyce
About 15 miles west of Indiana lies the small town of Saltsburg at the confluence of the
Conemaugh River and Loyalhanna Creek. Settled in the late 1700s, Saltsburg has some hidden gems,
especially the Rebecca Hadden Stonehouse Museum Garden, 105 Point Street, maintained by the
Saltsburg Herbal Society. The garden has a definite Victorian flair, including period plants not often
seen in today’s gardens (hops and phlomis, for example), and some specialty sections, such as the
Silver Garden and Medicine Garden.
Hops
Phlomis
The overall Garden was started in 1995; the Medicine Garden section was started in 2010 and
evolves a bit each year. Nearly all of the plants in the current Medicine Garden would have had a medicinal
purpose in the Victorian era; although there were patent medicines made of natural ingredients, not
everyone would have had access to them or could have afforded them, so the Victorians grew their own.
Please note: the information below is NOT intended to be medical advice or recommendations;
the Saltsburg Herbal Society DOES NOT advocate the medicinal use of herbs. If you are interested in
these plants, please do your own research and consult with certified medical professionals or herbalists.
In the photo, many plants are easily visible and identified and some but not all uses are described.
In the front border, Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) with its scalloped green leaves and sprays of yellow
flowers was used for astringent and styptic purposes due to the high tannin content. Scattered among the
Lady’s Mantle is nigella (Nigella sativa) with its pretty blue flowers. The seeds are still used today primarily
in Middle Eastern and Asian cooking and nigella was used in years past for lowering high blood pressure and
treating various inflammations such as asthma and arthritis.
In the left corner against the lattice work, foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) stands tall in the sunlight.
Foxglove produces digitalis, used to regulate the heartbeat and treat heart failure, and the drug is still
obtained from natural plants today. Also against the lattice work is a comfrey (Symphytum × uplandicum);
the leaves would be boiled or steamed until soft and then was used as a poultice for sprains and arthritic
joints. An infusion or tea was drunk for gastric upsets. Today, it is thought to be carcinogenic if ingested but
is still regarded as safe to use topically.
In front of the comfrey are yellow red-shift coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) and chives
(Allium schoenoprasum). Coreopsis roots were used for an emetic tea and to treat diarrhea. Women who
wanted to have a female baby would make an infusion of the plant without the root. Chives had many
uses, including as a pest repellent, but were used medicinally similar to garlic but with weaker properties.
They are beneficial to the circulatory system and also have diuretic, antiseptic, and stimulant uses.
Elderberry spreads lace parasols above golden buttercups strewn,
as if for a picnic on the lawn . . .
2.
Stonehouse Museum Garden, continued . . .
Near the right side of the photo, red and pink poppies (Papaveraceae) stand at attention. Poppy seeds were
used to induce sleep and reduce pain, and of course poppy seeds are popular in cooking today. In the lower right
corner, hardy purple verbena (Verbena officinalis) had several uses, including improving lactation in nursing mothers
and as an abortifacient.
Although not visible in the photo, other plants included in the Medicine Garden are feverfew (Tanacetum
parthenium) used to treat migraines, coneflower (Echinacea), whose abundant Vitamin C fights colds and respiratory
ailments, and boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Boneset is particularly interesting for its wide range of uses,
including reducing fever, increasing urination, inducing vomiting, and treating constipation. It got its name because it
was used to treat breakbone fever, the high fever that accompanies influenza. It was also used to treat dengue fever,
seldom found in the U.S. today.
Tucked in among the taller plants are common blue violets (Viola sororia). The use of violets goes back to
ancient Roman and Greek civilizations, when the leaves were used to treat hangovers because violets contain salicylic
acid, still used today to treat aches and pains and is an ingredient in anti-acne products. Violet leaves and flowers
have expectorant properties and were used to treat bronchitis, colds, coughs, insomnia, and constipation.
 The Museum Garden is open year round and anyone is welcome to stop by and browse.
 Guided tours are available by request; please call 724-668-8808 or see the Web site at
www.saltsburgherbal.org for meeting information and upcoming events.
Along the front border = Lady’s Mantle.
Left corner against the lattice work = Foxglove. Also against the lattice work = Comfrey.
In front of the comfrey = yellow Red-shift Coreopsis and Chives.
Near the right side of the photo = red and pink Poppies.
 In the lower right corner = hardy purple Verbena.
The Saltsburg Herbal Society Mission Statement:
To hold educational programs on any and all aspects of herbology; plant, maintain,
and promote gardens; give tours of our herb gardens; and provide support of various events
and other non-profit organizations as deemed appropriate.
One hundred yards away, behind tumble-down, moss-covered wall,
twenty-first century zips past, unaware.”
3.
FRIENDS OF THE PARKS
1128 Blue Spruce Road, Indiana, PA 15701 . . . 724-463-8636
Rebecca Sterley, FOP Newsletter Editor
Explore “Friends of the Parks” at:
http://www.indianacountyparks.org/friends-of-the-park.aspx
“Something Told the Wild Geese”
by Rachel Lyman Field
Something told the wild geese
it was time to go,
though the fields lay golden
something whispered, "snow."
Leaves were green and stirring,
berries, luster-glossed,
but beneath warm feathers
something cautioned, "frost."
All the sagging orchards
steamed with amber spice,
but each wild breast stiffened
at remembered ice.
Rachel Field
with “Spriggen” in 1929.
American novelist, poet, and children's
fiction writer. 1894—1942
Something told the wild geese
it was time to fly,
summer sun was on their wings,
winter in their cry.
Mark your calendar for the 2017 FOP Potluck Dinner!
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Saturday, January 28, 2017, 6 p.m.
Indiana Fire Association's White Township station social hall.
1555 Indian Springs Road, Indiana, PA 15701.
Further details in the next newsletter :)
“In a Victorian Garden” ~ June Walker.
4.