E SSENTIALS
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Your Guide to the Good Life.
EASY DOES IT:
Slow down and enjoy the summer Staff photo by James Robinson BY RODGER MULLEN AND JESSICA BANOV
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ummer forces you to slow down. Being out in the heat just isn’t conducive to a lot of rushing around. Sitting in the shade on a riverbank or spreading a picnic blanket in a grassy field? That sounds just about right. With that in mind, we’ve compiled some summer activities perfect for those lazy days. So enjoy. Just don’t work too hard at it. GONE FISHING What says summer more than casting a line and waiting for a nibble? Fishing is a low-cost
activity that brings families together. At the very least, you’ll get to spend a leisurely afternoon with your son or daughter. At the most, you’ll have dinner for the evening. There are plenty of fishing opportunities in the Fayetteville area, although, as Sylvia Hrach of Gus’s Bait and Tackle noted, many formerly public ponds in the area are now private. Also, Glenville Lake at Mazarick Park is being drained to repair a dam. Tom Carpenter, education specialist at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center, said the Cape Fear River continues to be a popular fishing spot.
“They can expect to catch some monster catfish out of the Cape Fear River,” Carpenter said. He said the biggest catfish he remembers being pulled from the river was a 70-pounder. Along with catfish, Carpenter said bass, blue gill and crappie are popular catches in the area. Aside from the river, Lake Rim, across from the fishing center on Raeford Road, is a popular spot, Carpenter said. If you’re 16 or older and want to fish, you’ll need a license. A basic state license is $15 and is available atncwildlife.org or at most sporting goods and bait and tackle shops.
DIPPING A PADDLE If fishing isn’t your thing, consider kayaking or canoeing. Area waterways such as the Lumber River and Lake Waccamaw are popular with paddlers. There’s also the Cape Fear River, but be careful – parts of the river are treacherous. Mary Hollingsworth, an office assistant at Lake Waccamaw in Columbus County, said there are boat landings on Canal Cove and Bella Colla roads at the 9,000-acre lake. The lake doesn’t rent canoes or kayaks, but there are boat rental businesses in the area. “It’s excellent for sailing in the afternoon,”
Hollingsworth said. “There’s usually a nice breeze. There’s lots of boating opportunities for any kind of boat.” One word of caution – Hollingsworth said the lake is having a problem with hydrilla, a noxious weed that is easily spread. She said it’s important that boaters wash their crafts thoroughly both before and after putting it in the lake. At Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, there are canoe and kayak access areas at Chalk Banks in Wagram and Princess Ann off U.S. 401 in Orrum, said ranger John Privette. “It’s a black water river, so it’s slow-moving,”
Privette said. “There’s no rapids or waterfalls or anything like that. We don’t even have rocks in the river, we just have sand.” Information about both Lake Waccamaw and Lumber River is available at ncparks.gov. By phone, call Lake Waccamaw at 910-646-4748 and Lumber River State Park at 910628-4564. Lake Rim Park also organizes kayak trips and will help beginners learn the ropes before embarking on an area waterway. Equipment is provided. The next trip is July 26. Call 433-1018 by July 24 to register.
See summer, Page 3
Crocuses are a favorite for voles
Your Garden Roger Mercer
DEAR ROGER: I have had beautiful crocus at my new house for two years. Then this year they all disappeared. My neighbor told me it was probably moles that ate them. My question is, can I plant some more? They are such a joy to me in late winter when they are a sure sign that more floral delights are to come. I love the little ones that bloom extra early. Do you know a good source? — John, Elizabethtown DEAR JOHN: The critters that are eating your crocuses are voles, not moles. Moles eat insects, not plants. Voles eat plants. Voles are small mice with short tales. You can have hundreds of them in your yard. And once they find your crocuses, they will relish them and will eat them almost before you’re finished planting them. But don’t despair. You can plant your crocuses in pots. Set the pots on stone or block pavers and your crocuses will be safe. Here are some tips on growing crocuses: Always plant bulbs in pots and potting mix with good drainage. Do not use strong commercial fertilizer or fresh manure when planting.
Label bulbs as you plant them. Use labels that are large enough so that 2-3 inches of the label is below soil level. Let the foliage die back on its own before trimming it back. The foliage is essential for storing food for next year’s blooms. Never store bulbs in the sun or in an airtight container. A dry, shady, well-ventilated area will prevent mold and mildew. Do not grow bulbs year after year in the same potting mix. This could invite disease that affects both the flowers and the foliage. The soil will also become depleted of trace elements needed for good health and vigor. DEAR ROGER: In addition to places in Fayetteville, the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities in Southern Pines, as well as Sandhills Community College’s Horticultural Gardens might be good places close to Fort Bragg for a wedding, in response to last week’s question from a Fort Bragg sergeant on wedding location. I’m not sure if the SCC gardens have an inside area, but I know the Weymouth Center does. — Ed Bryan DEAR ED: Thanks for the information. Both sites are beautiful garden settings for weddings. I think I have become wedded to Mother Nature in both places. Send your questions and suggestions to roger@ mercergarden.com or write to Roger Mercer, Mercers Garden, 6215 Maude St., Fayetteville, NC Please include your telephone number.
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Give gomphrena flowers a try BY NORMAN WINTER MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
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ou may not recognize the word “zazzle” but I predict you will like the plant attached to it. Pink Zazzle is a new gomphrena with iridescent hot pink flowers that are so incredibly beautiful they have a hypnotic effect on me. I have to go look at them every day. To be honest I even photograph them every day. We stumbled on them quite by accident which means you may have to do the same or ask your favorite progressive local garden center to track them down. Pink Zazzle is a new hybrid gomphrena with flowers larger than a golf ball which prior to this was unheard of in the world of gomphrena. If you are not familiar with gomphrena they are also called “globe amaranth” and occasionally “bachelor button.” You may have avoided these toughas-nails flowers thinking they didn’t have the pizzazz or staying power for a long hot summer, but in reality they are among your best choices. In fact the last decade has seen several marvelous new varieties. Pink Zazzle, the newest, reaches about 16-inches tall with an equal spread. Since it is so new we feel as though we have it in a trial
performance. The huge flowers are really mesmerizing. Another one of my favorites is All Around Purple. This one reaches 18 to 24 inches with glorious purple balls. It was a Mississippi Medallion Winner and tolerates downpours and droughty periods as well. It makes a good cut flower and dried flower too. In that sense it is not an annual or perennial but an eternal. Audray is a new series that comes in three colors – pink, purple red and white – and is slightly taller reaching 24-plus inches. I’ve watched it in Southeastern trials and it has been very impressive. If you are into cut flowers you’ll love it. Fireworks, is another award winner and is simply amazing. Like Pink Zazzle, it too is a hybrid but with more typical sized flowers that are also shocking pink. The trait that makes Fireworks distinctive is that the flowers are borne all growing season on plants that can reach monolithic proportions by the end of summer. In Mississippi State trials ours reached 4 feet plus and tolerated the absolute extremes in heat, rain and drought. Regardless of the variety you choose to grow, select a site in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. I have seen many fine ones in part sun, but blooms are more prolific in full sun. The soil must be well drained.
When working your soil, incorporate 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed space. I use a 12-6-6 ratio, but a balanced one that contains a slow-release form of nitrogen will do just fine. Work the fertilizer with 3 to 4 inches of organic matter, and till 6 to 8 inches. This loosening of the soil with organic matter will pay dividends when rains seem to be more prevalent and drainage is mandatory. Once the drier season arrives, established gomphrena plants will become drought tolerant. Space plants at least 18 to 24 inches apart. The dwarf Gnome series can be planted closer. Place them in the soil at the same depth they are growing in the container. It is, however, a good idea to add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and retard weed growth. Remove old flowers to keep the plant tidy and looking its best, as well as to keep those little, round flowers coming. Feed plants about every six weeks with a light application of same fertilizer you used in bed preparation. I like to use gomphrena boldly versus spot planting. An informal drift or sweep of these flowers will be just as stunning as anything else you may choose. It seems to me that almost any other cluster of flowers or foliage is made more beautiful with a gomphrena partnership. I hope you’ll give them a try.
Summer
From Page 1
WHAT’S BREWING? Don’t rush when it comes to brewing iced tea. Plop your favorite tea bags – traditional or herbal – in a pitcher of water and let the magic happen. As the tea steeps, releasing the flavors, you can mull over your next summer read. In addition to citrus fruits, have berries, honey and peaches on hand for garnish or an extra undertone of flavor. BREWED SUN TEA
1 ounce tea, bagged or loose 1 gallon water 1 sunny day Fresh mint sprigs or citrus slices, for garnish Place the tea in a lidded jar that will hold at least one gallon. Fill the jar with a gallon of water, and tighten the lid. Place the jar in a sunny spot outdoors, and allow the tea to brew for 4 hours. Makes 1 gallon.
BY THE BOOK If even baiting a hook or paddling a canoe seems a little too strenuous for summer, try reading a book instead. Summer reads tend to be a little less weighty than other times of the year, said Erika Earp, information services manager at Headquarters Library. “Most people don’t save the big, thick Tolstoy for the summer,” Earp said. Earp suggested “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan, a fantasy about a mysterious place of business and its strange customers; and “Ready Player One” by Ernest Kline, a science-fiction story set in 2044.
For young adults, Earp suggested “Fangirl” and “Eleanor & Park,” both by Rainbow Rowell. “Those were so good,” Earp said. “One of them made me cry so hard it gave me a headache.” Stephen King hasn’t forgotten his fans this summer. (Does he ever?) His new one, “Mr. Mercedes,” is a crime novel about a cop coaxed out of retirement to stop a serial killer. It’s at the top of best-seller lists. Novels that have produced films are climbing best-seller lists, including the “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth and “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. And the latest in Diana Gabaldon Outlander series, “Written in My Own Heart’s Blood,” outsold Hillary Rodham Clinton’s latest book. SWAY TO THE SUMMER There’s nothing more relaxing than gently rocking in a hammock, either snoozing in the middle of the afternoon or curling up with a book or magazine. Hammocks, these
days, come in an array of patterns and sizes. Some come with pillows, but you can always buy your own weatherproof pillows at a home goods store. The stands come in a variety of colored metal or in architecturally sleek designs. This pillowtop hammock looks extra comfy and comes in colors to remind you of the ocean. The company boasts that the fabric is resistant to rot, mold, mildew and staining and that the rings are rust-resistant. Note that the nice, curved stand is sold separately. Pillowtop Hammock Hampton Summer, nagsheadhammocks.com, $299. THE GREAT ESCAPE Heading to the beach or the mountains? Both parts of the state have plenty of live outdoor concerts and festivals. Beats, Burgers & Brews at the Old Rock: On Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 2, spend the evening at Chimney Rock with a variety of bluegrass musicians, a
local craft beer and an award-winning burger. Admission is free. Go to chimneyrockpark.com. Shakespeare in the Park: Montford Park Players present free Shakespeare plays in an outdoor amphitheater not too far from downtown Asheville. This season features “Tartuffe”, “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Coriolanus.” Go to montfordparkplayers.org. Wright Kite Festival: The 36th annual festival at Wright Brothers National Memorial is today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make free kites and watch others soar at the Kill Devil Hills landmark. Admission to
the festival is free, though park admission is $4. Park admission for 16 and younger is free. Go to kittyhawk.com/event/ wright-kite-festival. Bald Head Island Pirate Weekend: OK, so maybe pirates aren’t relaxing. But they sure are fun. And if you’re on Bald Head Island the weekend of Aug. 1-3, you have no reason but to enjoy the revelry brought on by the invasion of tall ships. Pirates host a party, an island treasure hunt and a pirate parade. Go to oldbaldy.org. Head to Beaufort the next weekend for another pirate invasion.
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NEW NOSTALGIA: Home decor with a retro vibe ASSOCIATED PRESS
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f you spent childhood summers on a northern lake, grew up lunching at diners and shake shacks, or took a college road trip, you’ll be all over the next big home décor trend: American Retro. And even if you didn’t, you may appreciate the look and feel – an easygoing, aspirational lifestyle centered more on the meandering road than the techno highway. Lifetime Brands trend expert Tom Mirabile calls the style “visual comfort food.”
The imagery and decor elements draw baby boomers back to what might feel like simpler, more innocent days. Think vintage-style advertising and artwork, lunch-counter dishware, camping motifs, midcentury surf culture. Old bakeries, drive-ins, roadhouses, garages, beach shacks. It’s the kind of retro, outdoorsy charm to be found in the production design of Wes Anderson films like “Moonrise Kingdom.” Online retailer Fab has jumped on the trend, with offerings like Roo Kee Roo’s retro-style prints of boating and cottage motifs, made by Forest and Michael Evashevski, who grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Beach towels printed with patterns from
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famed blanket-maker Pendleton have a vintage vibe, and would work in a bathroom as well as at the shore. And a campfire-ready collection of enamelware from Falcon includes a red teapot and serveware. (fab. com) Grace Feyock’s wall clock for Uttermost is made of vintage pictures of old license plates. A map made of licenseplate images makes bold, graphic wall art, by David Bowman. A set of coasters printed with images of the famous Route 66 road sign make a nice addition to the cocktail cart. (wayfair.com) At Modcloth, find Karma Living’s collection of curtains and pillows in cheerful, ’70s-style medallion and floral prints. A blue, purple and pink psychedelic-print tapestry looks hip and new, but boomers will remember similar icons from their college days. Also here, a little chrome table lamp styled like a vintage motorbike’s headlight. (modcloth.com) Magical Thinking’s wooden letters are embellished with hennainspired painting at Urban Outfitters, which also carries groovy cotton bedding in paisleys and other retro prints. (urbanoutfitters.com) Retro-surfer decor is available at several retailers. CB2 has launched a new collection that includes surfboards, canoe paddles,
chairs and other accessories. The hula lamp brings a bit of kitsch to the design forefront. Tiki motif glassware and Bodhi vase planters kick up the midcentury Cali vibe. (cb2.com) Or find fun reproductions of surf shop and beach signs at Retroplanet. (retroplanet. com) “Moonrise Kingdom” fans, consider prints by artist Leah Flores of Portland, Oregon. “I had a gypsy-esque childhood growing up in various national parks around the United States,” she says. “Surrounded by mountains, oceans, wildflowers and redwood forests, I developed a sense of wonder with the natural world early on.” Flores takes photographs of rugged roads, rivers, waves crashing on beaches and misty forests, and then adds an inspired word or phrase, such as “Never Stop Exploring,” “Life is a Great Adventure” or “Wanderlust.” She sells through Urban Outfitters, Society 6 and her own Etsy shop. (etsy.com/ shop/leahfloresdesigns) The trick is to not let this look get too kitschy, unless you want to. A few elements in an otherwise contemporary space pack design punch. But if your style’s more boho than Bauhaus, then layering textiles, art and accent items creates a comfortable, lived-in look that captures the charm of retro style.
This polyresin hula girl lamp strums just the right retro note; $99.95; cb2.com
Left: Brooklyn-based designer Aelfie Oudghiri puts a contemporary spin on the iconic ‘butterfly’ chair by covering it in a flat-weave dhurrie in colorful beach hues of aqua, white and sunny orange; $249; cb2.com. Above: A vintage-look print embraces the road trip aesthetic inherent in retro decor style; $59.99; bedbathandbeyond.com.