Arboretum Spring Plant Sale: Abundance, Beauty, Cordiality

ESPERANCE, NY (05/16/2007)(readMedia)-- The 35th annual Spring Plant/Book/Bake Sale is about to unfold at the Landis Arboretum.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, from 10 AM – 4 PM, this year's expanded event will include the traditional Pick of the Pots (PoPs) members-only preview party on Friday, May 18, as well as the popular used-book and bake sales. In addition, this year, the signature fundraising weekend will include a select group of regional artisans on Sunday, May 20. Plant Sale weekend will take place rain or shine, and all proceeds from the event will benefit maintenance and improvements at Landis, the Capital Region's arboretum. There is no admission and parking is free.

"Our Spring Plant Sale is our signature event and largest fundraiser," says Barbara Brabetz, President of the organization's Board of Trustees and Chair of the Natural Science Department at SUNY Cobleskill. "This event provides an opportunity for residents and businesses to acquire beautiful and unusual plants, shrubs, and trees - while at the same time help to support the existence of the Arboretum as an evolving and nationally recognized center of scientific excellence. It also gives the Arboretum's Board an opportunity to spend quality time in an informal setting with our members and volunteers, who are critical to continued operations at Landis."

People and Plants, Naturally

Under the unifying theme which partners people and plants in ensuring the sustainability of the planet, this year's offerings will reflect uncommon diversity with an eclectic offering of trees, plants, and shrubs.

"Our goal is to offer something for every gardener's taste and landscape," says Jeff Schworm who worked in tandem with Board member Scott Trees as Plant Sale procurement specialist s for the May event.

According to Mr. Schworm, the William T. Raymond Greenhouse at the Arboretum will play an important role in this year's offerings. "We have a great collection of garden lilies growing in the greenhouse right now and the opportunity to pluck them direct from the benches should add to the thrill," he says.

PoPs Meet Pots

By longstanding tradition, the Friday before the Plant Sale opens to the general public is designated as Pick of the Pots (PoPs), a members-only plant preview/sale and twilight supper. The light buffet supper, a specialty offering of Sweet Tooth Caterers (Esperance), will be available to the first 120 members at the PoPs event place on Friday, May 18, 5 – 8 PM. Preview Party admission is $20 and exclusively for Arboretum members in good standing.

This year's PoPs event features the humor and melodious sounds of Ms. Cherie and the Hot Pots. The 13-member senior ensemble has been together for more than three years, says Ms. 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". The Hot Pots, who favor the sounds of the 40s, 50s, and 60s vow to add some senior sizzle to the PoPs!

Reservations Required

"The PoPs event is a privilege of membership," says executive director Thom O'Connor. "The preview event is our token thank you to all who support the Landis Arboretum through membership. And, although all members are invited to participate in PoPs for the $20 admission, we are forced to limit the number of meals to the first 120 people who register."

Sunday Artisans' Sale

Always responsive to members and customer comments, the Arboretum will offer for the first time this year a showcase of select area artisans whose work will be for sale in conjunction with the Plant Sale. Artisans' Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, May 20, 10 AM – 4 PM.

Among those expected to participate in Artisan's Sunday are: Andrea Schleider, Passing Fancy; Betty Pillsbury, The Green Spiral; Jan Hornbach Watercolors; Kathy Cornell, Paper Moon Primitives; Kate Hahn, Hahn Studio; Sharon Pasquini, Thistle Hill Soap; Kirsten Sanchirico, Kirsten's Beeswax Candles; Kathy Catlin of Kings Creek Pottery; Barbara Weloth's Homegrown Designs and Garden Accessories; Mary Ann Schuler, Fish Rubbings and Photography; Judy Helfrich, Jeweler; Wendy Kass, Bindi?Jewelers; Scott Zampier, Earthy Originals™; BJ's Personalized Garden Bricks; St. Leo's Enterprises, earthworm castings; Amy Howansky, Mother Earth Mementos (nature-related jewelry); and In the Gardens, fresh-roasted, gourmet coffees.

Meet the Victorians

Members of the Victorian Social Club and Victorian Cultural League also are expected to be on site for a picnic and stroll at the event. The Victorian Social Club started in 1995, when five like-minded people gathered at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs to enjoy a picnic. Dressed in Victorian garb, with picnic baskets filled with sweets and savories, starched white linens, fancy silver and delicate china, their founding members traveled back to the 19th Century. Since that day their numbers have grown, but their goal is still to learn about Victorian life and culture by recreating Victorian events. Toward this end, they encourage members to don authentic or period style dress to all their events.

Bookies in Paradise

The natural splendors of the 548-acre Landis Arboretum is bound to be the destination of choice for book buyers, sellers, and collectors for the Used Book Sale scheduled in concert with the Arboretum's Plant Sale. Bibliophiles are always well-rewarded with thousands of titles in good condition to browse through and buy, while surrounded by the more than 6,000 trees, plants, shrubs, and perennials at the event. Regardless of the weather, the Annual Plant and Book Sale will take place; the books are under cover in the Arboretum's 1830s English barn.

The annual Book Sale is made possible through the generosity of the Arboretum's many friends and supporters who collect books throughout the year with the sale in mind. Dozens of volunteers clean and categorize the offerings - both hard and soft cover - that range from 25-cents to as low as $2 for hardcover editions. Categories include, but are not limited to, science and nature, gardening, reference, poetry, child, mystery, self-help, diet and nutrition. Donations of books in good condition are always welcomed. Please contact the Arboretum with information about book donations by May 10.

Migrating Geese and Cobblestones

Each year the Arboretum offers a quilt sponsored and created by member-volunteers. This year's offering is titled Migrating Geese and Cobblestones. The beautiful 64 x 85 hand-sewn, cotton quilt with batting will be unveiled at the Plant Sale. Volunteer Toine Wyckoff (Niskayuna) assembled the pieces that comprise the comely quilt and well-known Voorheesville craftsman Lew "Quiltsmith" Schedlbauer combined and stitched the pattern to backing.

"This is more than a mere wall hanging," says Toine. "Because of its size, the more utilitarian among us might just as easily use it for as a bed cover; and its colors -- ranging from woody greens to florals include golds, greens, yellow, red and blue -- and animals in fine detail -- expand its possibilities for any home's style."

Visitors can see for themselves - and greet friends and neighbors as well - at the 35th Annual Landis Arboretum Spring Plant/Book/Bake/Artisans/Quilt Sale!

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Posted Wednesday May 16, 2007 at 06:06 am by Landis Arboretum