Holiday Decorations Illuminate Governor Francis Farms Warwick Homes - Linda Maintanis

Jack Frost has been flirting with the homes in Governor Francis Farms lately. Sprinkling them with twinkling lights and holiday displays, the farms seem to be lit up from the heavens...

Enjoy these pics of some of our more spectacular presentations,

 10 Saint George Court

                     93 Weetamoe Drive                       

    78 Westfield Road

 45 Sweetfern Road

76 Saint George Court

Governor Francis Farms Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival Linda Maintanis, Warwick, RI

The 2014 GFNA - Governor Francis Farms - Pumkin Patch & Fall Festival is 

Saturday, October 18, 2014. 

This annual gathering of kids of all ages will start at 1:00pm on the block between the two rotaries. 

Be sure to stop by and say "Hello", we would love to meet you!

Narragansett Bay - Governor Francis Farms - Rose Pond Signs of Pollution Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis

It's a well-known fact that Rose Pond is located at the back of, or south side of Saint George Court.
Many locals tell stories of skating on it when they were grade school age. Now it is located outside my
living room window, facing east, the old water tower still stands in a tangle of wild rose vines.
The pond is spring fed; I think that's a good thing to know, that in a pinch you could get your own water...

Last week, Thursday before the storm, I happened
to glance over and around the pond, possibly trying
to spy a deer or beaver.

Instead something jumped out at me.

A large mass of slightly flourescent green sludge which appeared to have traveled down the bank of the pond. Now collected below; it's sheen was compelling. What could it be?

The pond is a part of a chain of waterways that feed
into Narragansett Bay via Occupessatuxet Cove.
Located only 1500 feet from the shoreline of the bay,
it's fresh water is a tiny tributary that allows wildlife a drinking fountain along it's path. From here the
stream winds through Brown's Farm, still owned by a member of the founding families, Henry Brown.
At the shore an estuary is formed.


The Rhode Island DEM was called.

Hopefully there will be no long term damage to the delicate system.

Governor Francis Farms - Narragansett Bay - Rose Pond Signs of Pollution Saint George Court, Linda Maintanis

It's a well-known fact that Rose Pond is located at the back of, or south side of Saint George Court.
Many locals tell stories of skating on it when they were grade school age. Now it is located outside my
living room window, facing east, the old water tower still stands in a tangle of wild rose vines.
The pond is spring fed; I think that's a good thing to know, that in a pinch you could get your own water...

Last week, Thursday before the storm, I happened to glance over
and around the pond, possibly trying to spy a deer or beaver.
Instead something jumped out at me. A large mass of slightly flourescent green sludge that appeared to have traveled down
the bank of the pond. Now collected below; it's sheen was
compelling. What could it be?

The pond is a part of a chain of waterways that feed into
Narragansett Bay. Located only 1500 feet from the shoreline
of the bay, it's fresh water is a tiny tributary that allows wildlife
a drinking fountain along it's path. From here the stream winds
through Brown's Farm, still owned by a member of the founding families, Henry Brown. At the shore an estuary is formed.

The Rhode Island DEM was called.

Hopefully there will be no long term damage to the delicate system.

Local Gardens Host to Hornets - Governor Francis Farms Bees in the Bushes?

Hornet's Nest. 

We've all heard the term and even said it a few times 

but how many of us have ever seen a real hornet's nest? 

Wikipedia defines the European Hornet this way, "This species will sting in response to being stepped on or grabbed but generally avoid conflict. They are also defensive of their hive and can be aggressive around food sources. They are carnivorous and eat large insects: primarily wasps, large moths, and other large bees. Care should be taken when encountered in these circumstances as they may sting without warning. The pain from the sting may persist for several days with attendant swelling. If you are stung you may wish to seek medical attention."

There have been several sightings of late in the Governor Francis Farms area of large, established hornet's nests. Take one look at these and stay away!
  
This nest shown below in both photos was about the size of a basketball. Additionally, as you can see in the second photo, it was not even waist-level; a potential danger to small children and pets...

Problems associated with the hornets are the following, "European hornets are carnivores and eat many species of insects. Many of these insects are considered pests in the garden, which indicates that the hornet provides a benefit to the average garden/farm. However, they are known to eradicate domestic honeybee hives, resulting in fewer honeybees for open pollination."

Therefore, homeowners who are aware of these pests on their property 

are encouraged to arrange removal by a licensed pest control firm.

To read more about the Honeybee reduction and the resulting problems 

I suggest SARE for more research.