ARC/Arboretum Partner in Concert Fundraiser to Create Accessible Garden

ESPERANCE, NY (06/25/2007)(readMedia)-- An idea that’s been simmering on the back burner for many months will come to full boil on Saturday, July 21 when the Schoharie County ARC and the Landis Arboretum join forces for a midday concert fundraiser that both believe may take them closer to the joint implementation of a universally accessible garden at the Landis Arboretum

Assemblyman Peter Lopez, 127 Assembly District, is a longstanding supporter of ARC goals and initiatives. The Assemblyman will emcee the event which will take place from noon – 4 p.m. at Landis. Fulton’s County’s award-wining and nationally acclaimed soft-rock band FLAME will drive the event following a warm-up by Schoharie County’s senior sizzlers Ms. Cherie & The Hot Pots. Admission is family-priced at $10 a ticket, parking is free, and food and beverages will be for sale.

“Our staff and consumers are looking forward to this event,” says Anthony Alvarez, Executive Director, Schoharie County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc. “Many have been working as volunteers at the Arboretum since last year. They enjoy being there; the opportunity to be principal players in an initiative to create a universally accessible garden for themselves and others within the Capital Region is very exciting to us.”

Barbara Brabetz, President of the Arboretum Board of Trustees, shares that enthusiasm. “This may well be the largest gathering of people we’ve ever had at the Arboretum for a single-day event. FLAME has quite a following – and Ms. Cherie Stevens’ Hot Pots are creating a stir of their own in the region. We anticipate close to 800 people under the great tent to hear them – and to support our mutual goal of creating a universally accessible garden.”

Planting the Seed for Wanderland The July 21 event evolved from an informal partnership initiated in May 2006 between the Arboretum and area ARCs. The initiative offers ARC consumers training in gardening and retailing skills in exchange for volunteer time in the Arboretum’s office and gardens.

Fred Breglia, the Arboretum’s Director of Horticulture, and Gardener Erin McKenna work most closely with the ARC volunteers each week. “Erin and I really enjoy working with the ARC volunteers," says Mr. Breglia. “Each week we come to see them more and more as a valuable asset to the Arboretum and we value their time and support. Through their presence, we’ve come to a better understanding of the need to implement Paul’s plan for to create a universally accessible garden for all people of all abilities, including some of us caught up in the natural process of aging.”

Universal Accessibility Paul Blair (Niskayuna) had an idea. A longtime Arboretum member and former Trustee, he envisioned a beautiful garden at the Arboretum that would be accessible and enjoyed by everyone. After years of delay because of limited resources, the idea is alive again and fundraising efforts are under way for such a garden.

“We call it Wanderland,” says Arboretum Executive Director Thom O’Connor, “and with Paul envision a place in which anyone can amble freely against the backdrop of the Arboretum’s Meeting House and the embracing spirit of our Great Oak. “

O’Connor notes that support has been quick and generous, citing assistance from the Schoharie County ARC Foundation which donated the cost of the main tent for the concert. “When we factor in assistance from Elks Lodge of Esperance, the generosity of staff members of SUNY Cobleskill, the assistance of Capital Region BOCES, and the steadfast commitment of the Arboretum’s Horticulture and Grounds Committees and the volunteers that support them – one man’s idea will become a reality for all of us!” he adds.

About Landis As the Capital region’s Arboretum, Landis is a multifaceted natural jewel. It now encompasses 548 acres of trees, shrubs, old growth forest and, of course, breath-taking vistas and memorable gardens. Long a destination of choice among Capital District gardeners, environmentalists, nature lovers, hikers, bikers, and birders, the Landis Arboretum may be one of the best-kept secrets among Capital Region residents. The Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic Route 20 in Esperance, NY, an easy drive from anyplace within the Capital Region.

About NYSARC NYSARC, Inc., is a voluntary organization of fifty-five chapters consisting of parents, friends and volunteers serving thousands of New York residents with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The Association currently has over 71,000 members located in almost every county, community and developmental center. NYSARC, Inc., through our chapters, employs 26,000 individuals and is able to provide direct services to over 60,000 people daily. We are the largest organization of its kind in the nation.

About the Schoharie County ARC The Schoharie County ARC is a family-based, not-for-profit organization serving, supporting and advocating for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, and their families. The organization currently serves over 300 individuals through a continuum of supports and services including: residential, clinical, day habilitation, vocational, Medicaid service coordination, family support and transportation supports. Since its founding in 1969, the Schoharie County ARC has been committed to “Creating Opportunities that People Desire.”

About FLAME FLAME is a rock band that has impressed celebrities, amazed politicians and overwhelmed audiences of all ages and backgrounds. They play more than 100 popular classic hits from the past five decades and they tour the northeast playing over 75 paid performances per year. They are changing the world through music and their fame is growing rapidly. The eleven band members happen to have developmental and physical disabilities, including autism, Down's syndrome, mental retardation, and blindness. Welcome to the phenomenon that is FLAME. To order a copy of FLAME's CD or to see FLAME live on their scheduled tour, call Tim Fiori at 518-762-0024. http://www.flametheband.com/

About the Hot Pots The 13-member Hot Pots favor the sounds of the 40s, 50s, and 60s and always add sizzle to any event. The ensemble has been together for more than three years, says coordinator and lead singer Cherie Stevens.

“We got together for the primary purpose of entertaining at hospitals and perform often at nursing and adult homes in Schoharie County and have appeared in Albany, Guilderland and Troy facilities". Eleven of the 13 Hot Pots are senior citizens themselves. Some performers are in their 80s. Hot Pots, 518-255-5528.

Family Fun According to Tammy Rumph, Public Relations/Fundraising Coordinator, Schoharie County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc., “The July 21 concert to raise funds for Wanderland is a family event and for people of all abilities. The full support and participation of all communities and organizations throughout the Capital Region will ensure the success of this early afternoon event that will benefit hundreds of ARC consumers and their families – and all of us as well.”

And, Tickets, Too Tickets for the ARC/Arboretum Concert featuring FLAME and Ms. Cherie and the Hot Pots are available through the area ARC offices and through the Landis Arboretum. The cost is $10/each and all proceeds will benefit the Wanderland Accessible Garden Project.

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic-designated Route 20 in historic Esperance, NY, a beautiful, easy drive from throughout the Capital Region. Other upcoming, family-focused Arboretum events include:

LAPE DAY 2, Sunday, August 19, 3 p.m. - ??? Fred Lape’s Birthday Bash will again bring talented artisans, artists, musicians, photographers, performance artists, and vendors to the site of the Lape Homestead at Landis. All are invited to an afternoon open-mike celebration of Arboretum founder Lape’s 107th birthday. Suggested donation: $5 person; $15 family.

TIREFEST ’07, Saturday, August 25, 9 am - 3 pm Don’t put those work gloves away just yet! Bring them and your tireless friends to the Arboretum’s third annual tire clean-up. We also could use a couple of four-wheel drive pickups—if you have one we could use, please let us know. Lunch provided. Tire disposal funded by Iroquois LEAF of the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company. Free of course!

The First Annual Arboretum 5K Cross- County Forest Run, Saturday, Sept 1 Run /Compete for Family Fun! Achieve your Personal Best! AND enjoy the spectacular views of the Schoharie countryside at the beautiful Landis Arboretum. Prizes awarded to runners in each age group in this timed event. All proceeds to benefit the non-profit Landis Arboretum. Race start: 10 am, Meeting House lawn. Race Day Registration: 8:30 am--9:30 am. For more information: 518-231-2290

Posted Monday June 25, 2007 at 11:05 am by Landis Arboretum