June Events Announced at the Accokeek Foundation

Contact: Marquia Garcia
Phone: 301.283.2113
Email: accofound@accokeek.org

The Accokeek Foundation is pleased to announce several unique events for the month of June. At the Foundation's National Colonial Farm, a special colonial candle-making class will give participants the chance to make their own candles, and the Colonial Foodways program allows visitors to meet costumed interpreters and learn about colonial foods and cooking methods. On the gardening front, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer a Weed and Pest Management class, as well as a gardening opportunity for children with its monthly Nature Nuts program. Children ages 3-5 will experience an enchanted landscape at the Foundation's Museum Garden, and see first hand what's blossoming.

For those with a desire to volunteer, the Accokeek Foundation is excited to offer two new exceptional opportunities. We'll be welcoming volunteers to the Foundation's Ecosystem Farm the third Wednesday of each month for weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is a wonderful chance for those with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship. For those volunteers interested in being a part of living history, the Stitch N' Time Textiles Volunteer Club will meet the 4th Saturday of each month to sew, knit, spin, and weave materials for use at the Foundation's National Colonial Farm.

And finally, but perhaps, most importantly, the Accokeek Foundation is eagerly anticipating this year's Summer Solstice Volunteer Celebration. We look forward to honoring active volunteers and members who do so much to aid in the continued success of the Foundation. Guests will be treated to live musical entertainment, children's activities, and dinner. This year's event will also feature a Silent Auction. Local businesses are encouraged to become a partner in the Summer Solstice Celebration and Silent Auction by being a sponsor or making a donation. Contact Anjela Barnes at 301.283.2113 ext. 34, or by email at abarnes@accokeek.org for more information.

COLONIAL CANDLE-MAKING
Saturday, June 13, 2009, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Visitor Center, Rain or Shine, $20 Non-Members, $15 Members
Join us for this hands-on workshop to learn the art of candle-making. You will learn about wicks, waxes, uses of candles in the 1700s, and safety instruction. We will also discuss recipes and ideas for making your own candles at home.

NATURE NUTS
Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m. to Noon
3rd Tuesday of each month, April through October
Education Center, Rain or Shine, $6.00 Non-Members, $5.00 Members
Limited to 15 Children, Ages 3-5, Registration Required
This fun-filled hour of exploration at the National Colonial Farm's Museum Garden is the perfect setting to learn about the wonders of nature. Designed for children ages 3-5, the children will hear a story, create a craft project, and go on an outdoor adventure. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

WEED AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Wednesday June 17, 2009, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Education Center, Rain or Shine
This class is part of the organic gardening class series.
Cost per class is $30 for Non-Members, $25 for Members.
Every garden will have weeds and pests, and in this class, you will learn how to identify them, and choose a sound method for dealing with them. The class will emphasize strategies that work to control weeds and pests using biological and mechanical controls.

Classes will take place on the 3rd Wednesday evening of every month from February to August, with occasional weekend, in-the-field, lab sessions to be scheduled by participants and instructors. Take home materials will be provided. Courses will be taught by Accokeek Foundation staff. Classes may be taken as the series, or individually for an additional price.

ECOSYSTEM FARM VOLUNTEER DAY
Wednesday, June 17, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every 3rd Wednesday, Ecosystem Farm, Free
The Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm is the Accokeek Foundation's USDA-certified organic vegetable farm. Located on an eight-acre field along the Potomac River in Accokeek Maryland, the farm is a model for farming for the future.

Volunteers are encouraged to arrive early as a brief, dedicated tour will be given promptly at 1 p.m.

Volunteers will help by tending to the fields, weeding, planting, and harvesting the farm's produce. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals or groups with an interest in sustainable agriculture, organic farming, or environmental stewardship.

Please be prepared to work in the outdoors wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring work gloves, sunscreen, hats, snacks, and plenty of water.

SUMMER SOLSTICE VOLUNTEER CELEBRATION
Saturday, June 20, 2009
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Public Celebration and Auction
(Pre-event Volunteer Appreciation Reception, By Invitation Only, 5:00-6:00 p.m.)
Accokeek Foundation, Rain or Shine
No Admission Fee for Active Volunteers or Members
$5.00 Adults, $3.00 Kids 12 & Under
Our Summer Solstice Volunteer Celebration will honor active volunteers and members of the Accokeek Foundation. Guests will enjoy music and a casual meal in a peaceful, beautiful park setting. Not a volunteer or member? Join us for this celebration to chat with volunteers and members to learn more.

COLONIAL FOODWAYS
Saturday, June 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
3rd Saturdays Monthly from March through November
National Colonial Farm, Rain or Shine, Admission Fee Required, Members Free
Love food? Ever wonder how people cooked before microwaves or what people ate before fast food? Join us the 3rd Saturday monthly as costumed interpreters demonstrate preparation of fashionable foods favored by the tobacco-growing gentry in Prince George's County, Maryland on the eve of the American Revolution. Demonstrations vary monthly, and involve seasonally available foods, colonial implements and methods.

STITCH N' TIME TEXTILES CLUB VOLUNTEERS
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Every 4th Saturday, Museum Out Kitchen, Rain or Shine, Free
Ewe like knitting? Sewing? Spinning wool? Then bring your wheels and needles and be a part of living history at the Accokeek Foundation's National Colonial Farm. Enjoy learning about the cultivation of fleece, wool dying, and colonial textiles. Club members will use wool from the farm's heritage breed sheep to card, spin, and knit. For those more handy with a sewing needle, join us in creating 18th century clothing for our costumed interpreters. And if you know how to use a Leclerc four harness loom, come do some weaving!

For more information about this and other events or classes, please visit the Accokeek Foundation's web site at www.accokeek.org, or to register for an upcoming event, please email accofound@accokeek.org.