Public programs begin Feb. 1 at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

A Leonard McDonald photograph, part of Reeves-Reed Arboretum's exhibit "Nature: In and Out of Focus," opening Feb. 1.Before the display gardens bloom and it's warm enough to comfortably stroll the historic grounds of Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, visit for some early shots of natural color.

The arboretum is lining up its 2022 events, including a Feb. 24 lecture by Louis Bauer, retired director of horticulture at Wave Hill in the Bronx, who is also known locally for his role in the transformation of Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills from a private estate to a lush public garden. 

From Feb. 1 through May 8, visit to view the season's first art exhibit, "Nature: In and Out of Focus." Works by local photographer Leonard McDonald and artist Tracey Luckner will be on display at the arboretum's Wisner House Gallery, on the grounds at 165 Hobart Ave., Summit.

Celebrating nature in the abstract and in fine detail, McDonald and Luckner show varied approaches and interpretations of the natural world, according to exhibit organizers. McDonald uses macro-photography of insects and pollinators to explore details often missed by the naked eye. Luckner’s abstract expressionist paintings blur boundaries between forms, focusing on an emotional response to the color, movement and rhythms in nature.

"The works speak to one another with their similar vibrancy and subject matter," according to organizers. "When viewed together, the works demonstrate the notion that there are many lenses through which to view, experience and appreciate nature."

The artists will be on hand for a meet-and-greet Artists Talk and Reception on Sunday, March 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. All art will be offered for sale, with the artists donating 30 percent of each purchase to the arboretum.

LEONARD McDONALDTRACY LUCKNERMcDonald, a self-taught New Jersey photographer, brings to his subjects the observant eyes of a natural products scientist. He has previously exhibited at MPAC, County College of Morris, Frelinghuysen Arboretum and Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie. 

Luckner, a Summit resident and lifelong artist, has studied drawing and painting at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, the Woodstock School of Art in Woodstock, NY, the Sorbonne in Paris, and the Visual Arts Center in Summit. She has exhibited locally at the Farmstead Arts Center, Watchung Arts Center, and Mondo in Summit, as well as a solo show in Port Washington, NY. Originally from Washington state, Luckner has pieces included in collections throughout the US.  

Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except when closed for private events. Please see visit reeves-reedarboretum.org/visit/ to confirm hours. For more information, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org , email m.foehrenback@reeves-reedarboretum.org, or call 908-272-8787, ext 1010.

Notable Garden Speaker Series

LOUIS BAUEROn Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m., Louis Bauer the recently retired director of horticulture at Wave Hill will open the Reeves-Reed Arboretum garden speaker series, sharing stories and insights from his various roles, ultimately, at Wave Hill's horticultural helm.

Bauer began as a gardener at the 28-acre Wave Hill estate in 1994. Ten years later he was whisked away to New Jersey to renovate Greenwood Gardens. The 28-acre public garden, set on the western ridge of the Watchung Mountains in the Short Hills section of Millburn, had been occupied as a private estate until 2003. As director of horticulture, Bauer guided a decade-long redesign of gardens with formal Italianate features and Arts and Crafts era influences. (Greenwood Gardens will reopen for the season on May 1.)

Bauer returned to Wave Hill in 2014, just before the institution marked its 50th year. The anniversary presented an upfront opportunity to look back at how Wave Hill evolved as one of New York City’s pre-eminent cultural institutions. 

To chronicle the past and present, a book entitled "Nature Into Art: The Gardens of Wave Hill" arose under Bauer's tenure. Authored by gardener and horticultural journalist Tom Christopher, the book aligns itself with the intention of the first gardeners, offering much horticultural advice and inspiring curiosity about plants and plantings at an intimate scale. It details year-round changes to the garden and its flora.

Bauer's lecture will be presented both in person and online. Admission is $10 for arboretum members; $25 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served. To register, visit reeves-reedarboretum.org, or call 908-272-8787, ext. 1920.

The family life of birds: upcoming talk at Wild Birds Unlimited, Scotch Plains

Young robins, nested in an evergreen tree, open their beaks to be fed. Photo by Kimberly L. Jackson Any observer of wildlife and nature has likely wondered about differences in the nests of various birds. Those who've had an active nest within viewing range will often want to know more about the family life of birds.

A free event at Wild Birds Unlimited in Scotch Plains will shed light on what goes into caring for young birds. At 10 a.m. on March 14, store owner Richard Elliott will present "Bringing Up Birdie," a discussion of bird parenting, the life of nestlings, and "the joys of following the fascinating, swift growth of baby birds from eggs in the nest to fledglings making their way in the world outside."

Nesting season has become a favorite time of year for Elliott, who will share the excitement that can come with watching birds raise their young to independent teens in a matter of weeks. He will also share tips and tricks to make the observation experience more rewarding, and he'll also suggest ways to encourage birds to nest in one's own backyard.

Those interested in attending any of the Wild Birds Unlimited in-store presentations are asked to RSVP by email at wbuscotchplains@gmail.com. Check the events listing at scotchplains.wbu.com to learn more about the nature shop's frequently scheduled events. 

Wild Birds Unlimited is at 2520 Highway 22 East in Scotch Plains.

NJ maple sugaring 2020 season events listing, Union County and beyond

The season of maple sugaring, when maple sap is collected to be made into syrup, is unique to North America, most common in the northernmost United States and in Canada.

Locals who want to experience maple sugaring firsthand don't need to travel to upstate New York or Vermont, however. New Jersey maple trees are more frequently being tapped in this syrup-making process that colonists first learned from Native Americans.

 

Maple sap is now collected by various methods, including vacuums, before being filtered and boiled down to syrup. There are numerous opportunities in New Jersey to see  how sap is collected, what equipment is used, and how sap is evaporated to make syrup. Most events offer a chance to have a taste, too. Here's a list of upcoming programs in Union County and nearby locations.

Trailside Nature and Science Center: Late winter is peak maple sugaring time as sap begins to run in February and March when the maple trees are "waking up," according to Trailside Nature and Science Center, which will be among the earliest to host events, from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 17. Participants will see how pure maple syrup is made and have a taste test to see if they can identify the real thing. Admission is $5 per person for Union County residents and $6 per person for others. Pre-registration is required UCNJ.org/Trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is within Watchung Reservation at 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside. For more information, call (908) 789-3670.

Van Vleck House and Gardens: Last year's program at Van Vleck sold out, so it's a good idea to reserve now for one of the four Feb. 22 tours. This indoor-outdoor program focuses on a tapped sugar maple in Mother's Garden, on the property at 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. The hourlong sessions start at 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Admission is $15 per person or $40 for a family. Registration is required. Call (973) 744-4752, ext. 3, email education@vanvleck.org, or purchase tickets here.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge: Ongoing demonstrations have already begun, and are scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays, from Jan. 25 through February. (Dates are likely to be added in March, so check the events calendar.) Participants will learn to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Taste different syrups, including syrup made at the Great Swamp. Registration is not required, but seating is first come, first served. Demonstrations are held from 1 to 2 p.m. or 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $4 per person. The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center is at 247 Southern Blvd. in Chatham. For more information, call (973) 635-6629.

Somerset County Environmental Education Center: The Environmental Education Center's 90-minute maple sugaring demonstrations will be held Saturdays and Sundays from Feb. 22 through March 15. Saturday programs are at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m.; and Sunday programs at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The outdoor demonstration begins at the Sugar Shack, which is a half-mile hike from the education center. Participants will see how trees are tapped, learn about past and present sap-collecting methods, and watch the boiling process that produces maple syrup.The process of making maple syrup often begins with the collection of tree sap in covered containers. The program is free, with a suggested donation of $1 per person. The Somerset County Environmental Education Center is at 190 Lord Stirling Road in Basking Ridge. For more information, call (908) 722-1200, ext. 5002.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum: On March 1, from 1 to 4 p.m., Maple Sugaring Fest will cover how early settlers tapped maple trees and turned the sap into maple syrup. Includes a "Maple Syrup Challenge" family scavenger hunt and sampling of maple syrup made at the arboretum. Admission is $5 per person or a $25 maximum per family. Payment is taken at the front gate, and pre-registration is not required. This program has a snow date of Sunday, March 8. For questions, call Jackie Kondel at (908) 273-8787, ext. 1515, or email j.kondel@reeves-reedarboretum.org. Reeves-Reed Arboretum is at 165 Hobart Ave. in Summit.

Events are subject to change or cancellation. Please confirm before traveling. 

Fit over 50: Success stories from Active Life Fitness in Garwood

Four members tell how they're happier, healthier and more confident thanks to training at Active Life Fitness in Garwood. Photo by Kiim MusikantJean, a Westfield 55-year-old, lost 37 pounds in 2019. She had never previously felt comfortable at a gym, but she is now among the success stories at Active Life Fitness in Garwood.

“I have made improvements not only in my mind and body but in my overall confidence,” she says, discussing the benefits of regular exercise.

“I now eat healthily and never miss my workouts because I feel great, and I don’t want to feel not great anymore.”

Another client, Jocelyn, also knows what it’s like to not feel great.

“I had become sedentary and really let myself go,” says the Cranford 54-year-old, a two-time cancer survivor. She says training at the Garwood gym has expanded her belief in what she is capable of achieving. “In six months time, I’ve transformed my physical appearance, and I can say that I feel better and more confident than any other time in my life.”

David, a Westfield 65-year-old, continues to set personal records with his lifts and his body composition.

“Consistently following a program designed specifically for me has made the difference in my results,” he says. “I feel strong, fit and healthy — and my golf game has improved!

“Plus, there’s something about not going it alone. The supportive community here makes it easier to come in and give 110 percent.” Michele, 67, has trained at Active Life Fitness since its inception in 2015.

“I had thought I was past the age of being able to achieve certain goals,” the Westfielder says. “I had to lose the mentality ‘This won’t work for me.’ ” She’s now leaner, stronger and healthier.

“For years, my focus was the number on my scale,” Michele says. “The coaches helped me see there’s a big picture of fitness. It’s more about feeling your best by getting stronger, moving better and eating well. “It’s never too late to start,” she adds. “Realize that small progress is still progress, and it all adds up to results.”

To get health and fitness emails from Active Life Fitness, text ACTIVELIFE to 22828 or sign up at ActiveLifeFitness.net for our free book, “20 Tips for Fat Loss Over 40.”

Union County caterers bring chefly skill to area events and homes

BK Private Dining + Catering, owned by two chefs, can customize meals for vegan spreads, special diets, meat-focused barbecues and everything in between.

As a teenager drawn to the kitchen, Brian Kirpan landed a job at Chili’s in Clark, learning to send out burgers, steaks and salads with lightning speed.

It was among cooking jobs that gave him real-world insights when he entered the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park. Many of his classmates had never known the rush — adrenaline and otherwise — of Saturday night food prep at a highly recognizable chain restaurant on a busy major thoroughfare.

BRIAN KIRPANWith a branded epicurean education, he moved into country clubs in Colts Neck, Scotch Plains, Metuchen, Plainfield and elsewhere, mastering haute cuisine to satisfy the refined appetites of each area’s golfing elite. Rising to executive chef, he managed operations and developed stand-out event menus.

When he wasn’t cooking, he worked part-time for about 10 years at John’s Meat Market in Scotch Plains. He stood out as much for his red butcher coat as for the bits of meal-enhancing advice he’d parcel out along with carefully wrapped steaks, racks and chops.

In 2012, Kirpan, who lives in Garwood, realized he had the chops to break out on his own as a caterer who could produce superior food with exceptional service. Six years later, BK Private Dining + Catering would join forces with a master baker, Stephanie Avitable, a Culinary Institute of America- trained pastry chef, now Kirpan’s fiancée.

In her own business, Avitable was assembling cake, frosting and fondant to sculpt edible handbags, Guinness kegs, sneakers and giant wrist watches. She also builds glorious, flower-studded towers to be cut by newlyweds, new moms, well-seasoned birthday celebrants and others. To follow BK Private Dining + Catering on Facebook is to eat with one’s eyes a constant diet of truly amazing baked goods and catered fare, all executed with skill and passion.

The culinary couple, who first met at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield, recently put their efforts into the third annual Farm to Table Benefit Dinner for Scotch Plains Farmers Market, which raised funds for homeless veterans while showcasing the best New Jersey Fresh fare.

Since 2012, BK Private Dining + Catering has catered the popular afternoon teas at Liberty Hall Museum in Union. With their team, they trim away bread crusts and fill trays with the dainty tea sandwiches and pastries that are served with properly poured teas for the luncheon. BK Private Dining + Catering also offers full service catering for home tea parties. A complete menu of finger sandwiches, such as  tarragon-mustard chicken salad, roasted pepper and pesto, cucumber and watercress with herbed butter, and many others are listed on the company website. 

Yes, this really is a cake. It is among amazing baked creations made by pastry chef Stephanie Avitable of BK Private Dining + Catering.Brian Kirpan is known as a guy’s chef, staging  barbecues, poker parties and pig roasts. He’s taught clients how to get the best of prime meats from the grill, the oven or the stovetop. But he’s just as likely to adapt his numerous menu offerings for those who require vegan, low-carb or gluten-free meals.

“We customize the menu for every customer’s needs,” he says. Prices are listed at BKCaters.com, so there are no surprises. Additionally, they can provide custom cakes, cocktails and rentals for corporate events or weddings. “We bring all our lifts so everything will look gorgeous.”

Kirpan is an event planner who pays attention to details that he says define the difference between eating and dining. “When you are dining, you’re not just satisfying hunger, but having an elevated experience," he notes. 

BK Private Dining + Catering offers full-service catering ranging from dinner parties to corporate events to weddings or other receptions at rented halls. Trays of the company's menu options also can be delivered to area homes and other locations for holiday and family gatherings as well as casual affairs. See menus and prices at BKCaters.com.