Naturalist Rob Jett and Christina Wilkinson of the Newtown Historical Society led free walks through Mount Olivet Cemetery on May 27 and June 10, observing the natural environment, including birds, butterflies, plants and trees while also discussing the history of the cemetery, its role in the development of Maspeth and visiting the graves of noteworthy people buried there. During the first tour, the group spotted a rare Blackburnian Warbler and a gorgeous Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Highlights of the second tour included American Lady and Red Admiral butterflies and a Brown Thrasher. These events were part of the 375th anniversary celebration of Maspeth and were sponsored by Mount Olivet Cemetery, Juniper Park Civic Association and the Newtown Historical Society.
Originally published in the September 2017 Juniper Berry Magazine
BERRY BITS: Mount Olivet nature & history tours

Blackburnian Warbler and Black Swallowtail by Steve Fisher
September 2017 Table of Contents
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Ticket trap stopped
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Transit advocates mostly oppose Crowley's light rail
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Lane change at Atlas Park
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: It looks like hell under the el
- Neighborhood Hall of Shame Fall 2017
- Yesterday & Today Fall 2017
- The evolution of the school desk
- Killy's Korner Fall 2017
- Q&A: Rene Clement, Middle Village Magician
- Comparing the 2017 Candidates for City Council
- Landmarks Preservation Commission designates old St. James Church of Newtown
- Did you know?
- Amazing Stories Fall 2017
- OP-ED: Are there any legitimately good reasons to vote no to holding a New York State Constitutional Convention?
- 104th Precinct Report Fall 2017
- Run to Breathe: One local woman's incredible and inspiring journey
- Statement by Kew Gardens Civic Association and Kew Gardens Improvement Association
- SHORT STORY: A Little Night Music
- BERRY BITS: Judge rules in community's favor in the interest of transparency
- BERRY BITS: Rest in peace, Dorothy Speer
- BERRY BITS: Fatal accident may spur change
- BERRY BITS: M shuttles not running well
- BERRY BITS: Kudos to our graffiti covering crew
- BERRY BITS: Lack of functioning hydrants worsened Myrtle Ave fire losses
- BERRY BITS: Juniper Valley Park 2017 Summer Concert Series was a blast
- BERRY BITS: Mount Olivet nature & history tours
- BERRY BITS: Forest Park rapist captured
- BERRY BITS: Star-spangled hawk?
- BERRY BITS: ParkNYC debuts
- The long lost Maspeth Avenue Toll Bridge
- BERRY BITS: The deserving recipients of JPCA'S 2017 Community Service Awards
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Barnwell endorses Liz Crowley after trashing her
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: De Blasio's clean sweep of the subways
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Crowley's cronies endorse de Blasio
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Crooked Wills endorsed by Crowley
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: De Blasio Borough Hall fiasco
- BERRY BITS: New principal at Christ the King
- Juniper Civic sponsors Halloween festival Oct. 28
- How Calamus Avenue became a catastrophe
- THINGS THAT ARE DUMB: Council comes up with pay-for-trash plan
- Letters to the Editor Fall 2017
- Crowley's strange stance on closing Rikers Island
- Crowley pushing for Middle Village's Corrections Academy to be moved to Riker's
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Remembering Jack Brennan
- Metropolitan Avenue trolley extended 100 years ago
The Juniper Berry magazine, first published in 1938 is an all-volunteer effort containing articles on crime prevention, neighborhood issues, meeting reports and notices, neighborhood history and photographs, guest articles, editorials and more.
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