Who was Annetta G. Wright?

Our learning lab is named for a very special and influential local educator and my beloved friend
.
The daughter of Leslie and Cora Wright,  Miss Annetta Garrett Wright who was born right here at 2950 in March of 1920.

A lifelong Harford county educator Miss Wright selflessly gave her talents and passion for education in many facets of our community. She began her career as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse near Rock State Park, before transferring to Mt.Horeb school closer to her Shawsville home.

In 1950 she was among the first teachers to welcome students to the new North Harford High School where she quickly made her way into a supervisory position. Miss Wright had an uncanny ability to lead in such a way that always put kids first. She remained in such a role until her retirement in 1977.

Annetta never married, and saw teaching as her life works and passion and devoted her life to her endeavors. I once asked if she ever regretted not having a family of her own, and her answer is one that has always moved me. She said that every child in the community was her child and that each baby that was brought up in the neighborhood or within her church she saw as a piece of herself and committed to taking part in their proper rearing.

It is with this vision and mission we proudly name the learning lab in her name, as each individual we encounter we see as an extension of your own families and provide a commitment to seeing them reach their personal best.

 In 2006 Miss Wright passed peacefully in the same room she was born at the glorious age of 86. Upon her passing 2950 became a bequest to the Vaughan family, and it is our honor to continue sharing her love for her community and neighbors here at her home.

I can still hear her stern voice and feel her kind hand in the journey that has been embarked on to launch this learning lab. I rest assured that she will always find a way to reach me and give her famous AGW stamp of approval.

If you'd like to hear more about Miss Wright please click here https://collections.digitalmaryland.org/digital/collection/hclt/id/298/
to hear her 2003 induction as a Harford County Living treasure.


With gratitude to my friend AGW... I'm AVR

The Journey North

Bees and butterflies get all the glory in the pollinator world, but did you know that the Hummingbird is a pollinator too?

The rapid 80 beats per minute hum of the bird's wings give it its iconic name. With iridescent feathers, cheerful chirps, and dazzling dance of color they are a documented garden favorite dating all the way back to Christopher Columbus!

There are over 300 species of Hummingbirds. 

In Maryland, we are preparing to welcome home our Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds who have overwintered in Central Mexico and are now returning home to rear this year's batch of babes. 

Knowing when to be ready for these guys in our family is like preparing for the arrival of a celebrity. Thanks to social media and citizen scientists we now know right about when to expect them within days each year. The website Journey North provides a platform for individuals to report sitings, and when we checked in today they've been spotted 30 minutes from here!!!!! Time to get those feeders out. 

It's true that there are many plants that these beauties can dine one, but when we are conscious and put forth the effort to save one pollinator our efforts support the entire community of pollinators as well! So naturally, we like to provide a little extra food for these guys. Feeders can be elaborate, or a simple  Dollar Tree feeders ( order here)  for $1!!

Red dye are not necessary....let me say that again for the back of the class.... NO RED DYE! 

Although no clear scientific evidence has been found that Red Dye is harmful to our friends ( read more here)  it is suggested that in the quantity that the Hummingbird takes in each day it equates to 17 times the amount of dye the FDA recommends for humans... 

The best and safest recipe for your humming friends is:

1 Cup White Sugar

4 Cups Hot Water

* Allow sugar to dissolve and then cool and fill feeders. 

Once you mix up a batch fill your feeders and wait for the show! 

Feeding Hummingbirds will help occupy my time between yard naps 

until my beautiful Monarchs arrive!

~AVR