Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1503938
40 | OHCC LIVING | AUGUST 2023 | Save The Monarch Butterfly Butterflies Are Here! Aer writing essentially the same message, month aer month in 2023, about how the cool, damp spring weather has delayed the return of our Western Monarchs to our Sanctuary, we are thrilled to have great news to report. e Monarchs have been back, not in ones and twos, but in large numbers in our Garden and throughout the village. It was like a burst of pent-up butterfly energy unleashed all at once, and the result is a surge of egg-laying, caterpillar-hatching, chrysalis- forming, and, finally, releasing new Monarchs into our beautiful environment. As I write this, we have already released more than 30 butterflies, and we are caring for more caterpillars than we can count. And it is not just the Monarchs – the other species we hosted last year are also gradually returning, with increasing numbers of Cloudless Sulfurs leading the way. We hope that the slow start to "butterfly season" will mean a big finish between now and November. As if that was not enough to keep the Save the Monarch Club busy, planning for the social event of OHCC's fall season, the Butterfly Ball, is in high gear. Our highest priority this month is gathering auction-valued donations from OHCC residents for the silent auction and raffles that will highlight the ball. is will be our main fund-raising activity for this year, so it is important that all of you who support our work help us in two ways: First, plan to attend. e date is Sept. 22 at 5:30 pm in Abravanel Hall. ere will be delicious food, music, raffles, dancing, and much more. e price is $70 per ticket (about the cost of a meal in a restaurant). Second, please donate auction-worthy goods and services that Butterfly Ball attendees will want to bid for – art works, travel tickets, a week(end) at your second property, wine, gi cards from local restaurants, cleaners, grocers, hair stylists, manicurists, massage therapists, etc. Use your imagination! Anyone who donates an item of significant worth will receive a ticket to the Ball. And in the meantime, do not forget to drop over to our Sanctuary to enjoy the beauty and watch the reproductive action as our Western Monarchs renew themselves. Garden Club If your garden is tight on space, or only a few containers, or you're new to gardening, the next Garden Club meeting is perfect for you. e featured speaker is Master Gardener, Mary Friestedt. She will share the secrets of herbs you can grow in your own garden. Mary Friestedt is a docent at San Diego Botanical Garden and Torrey Pines State Natural Preserve. She loves sharing her passion for herbs and explaining how they are not just for making food taste good. From an itchy mosquito bite to a remedy for gray hair, there is an herb for you. Growing herbs can be incredibly rewarding and are one of the easiest plants to grow in our Mediterranean climate. She will bring awesome herbs to be raffled off at the August 9th Garden Club meeting in Abravanel Hall. e OHCC Garden Club has started a private Facebook Group to share gardening questions, knowledge and ideas. If you are a current, paid member of the Garden Club and would like to join, send an email to the Garden Club Member Services Liaison Diane Bednarski at dianezbednarski@gmail.com. Not a member yet? You're welcome to join at any meeting and enjoy special members only privileges. Social time and refreshments begin at 9:30 am, and the program begins at 10 am. Be sure to check the share table by the side entrance. ~ Written by Jan Vaccaro