Arboretum Welcomes Motor-Tober MINI Rally, October 14

ESPERANCE, NY (10/08/2007)(readMedia)-- Afficianandos of the MINI Cooper will depart from the highways and byways of the region on Sunday, October 14th to celebrate Motor-Tober -- a special road rally event in Cooperstown, New York, sponsored by Keeler MINI (Latham, NY).

“Our day will begin at 9 AM -- when we will meet at Keeler MINI,” says Keeler Marketing Director Nell Fedora. “From there, we’ll rally in our MINIs to Cooperstown’s Yellow Trolley Parking Lot for a private trolley to the historic Otesaga Resort Hotel and the breathtaking views of Lake Otsego before heading to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and some shopping and sightseeing.

"We’re hoping anyone who has ever considered owning a MINI takes a test drive during our Motor Tober event. Our clients recognize their relationship doesn't end at the purchase; there’s an entire culture that goes along with owning the vehicle. The Cooperstown rally is one of many held through the year."

Arboretum Embraces MINI

In a bid to raise operating funds – and attract a new generation of visitors to its spectacular 548-acre site in Montgomery and Schoharie counties -- the Landis Arboretum will raffle a MINI Cooper, with promotional assistance provided by Keeler MINI (Latham, NY). Only 350 tickets will be sold at $100 each.

Tickets for the Arboretum MINI Cooper raffle may be purchased in person at the Landis Arboretum at 174 Lape Road in Esperance. Tickets also are available by mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope containing check or money order payable to Landis Arboretum PO Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066. Indicate Keeler MINI Cooper on the memo line. For credit card payments, phone the Arboretum at 518-875-6935/landis@midtel.net.

Interested raffle participants are invited to view the MINI Cooper at the Keeler Motor Car Company showroom at 1111 Troy-Schenectady Road (Route 7), Latham, NY (www.keeler.com), or to see the MINI online at www.LandisArboretum.org.

The office at the Landis Arboretum will extend hours on Sunday, October 14, to enable the close to 100 Motor-Tober participants -- and others wanting to purchase tickets for a MINI Cooper -- being raffled by the Arboretum.

“Motor-Tober offers a great opportunity for those who have never been to Landis to stop by, enjoy the grounds, and take a chance on a wonderful prize. Those with no interest in a new car may just prefer the cash value of the raffle,” says Arboretum executive director Thom O’Connor.

Participants in the Arboretum Raffle MINI Cooper Raffle fundraiser are eligible for two additional prizes: 2nd prize: $250 and 3rd prize: $150. Winning tickets will be drawn at the Landis Arboretum Winter Auction Fundraising Event in December. Participants need not be present to win. Proceeds of the raffle to benefit the Landis Arboretum. Raffle ticket purchasers are advised that the sponsors of the raffle, the Landis Arboretum, by law is required to withhold 25 percent of the fair market value of the prize won ($20,000) minus the ticket amount upon acceptance of the winning prize (MINI Cooper) for payment of any incomes taxes that may be assessed against winner. The winner further acknowledges and accepts responsibility for the payment of any federal or state incomes taxes and any and all subsequent fees (including title, insurance, and taxes associated with ownership).

Take the Wheel to a Cleaner Environment

Instantly recognizable by its unique styling, the MINI is considered to be a compact powerhouse whose near-instant and widespread popularity has made it a break-through highway icon. With its bravura bulldog stance, the handsomely equipped MINI features six airbags and side protection, an Ultra-Rigid body, 1.6 L 16-valve Alloy Engine, and 118 horsepower @6000 rpm. The popular MINI includes an array of active and passive safety features, a boot-load of personal options, and impressive gas mileage of 32 MPG city/40 MPG Highway – making it one of the highest smiles for miles rating of any car in its class. MINI fans take pride in owning a car reputed for its huge impact on driving fun -- not the environment.

Kudos for Keeler

The Keeler Motor Car Company on Route 7 in Latham showcases six manufacturers: Honda, BMW, MINI, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz are all available for sale and lease along with a large assortment of quality pre-owned vehicles from a variety of auto makers. Each Keeler showroom offers complete Service and Parts departments and a full service Collision Center with highly qualified technicians and informed, courteous personnel. Attention to detail is a Keeler hallmark.

Keeler Motor Car Company has a longstanding and strong commitment to Capital Region communities through numerous sponsorships and donations to local and national organizations and charities, such as the Susan G. Koman BMW Ultimate Drive® for the Cure, Proctor’s Theater, Special Olympics, Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the Red Cross.

Migrating Geese and Cobblestones on Display

Each year the Arboretum offers a quilt sponsored and created by member-volunteers. This year’s offering is titled Migrating Geese and Cobblestones. The wining ticket for beautiful 64 x 85 hand-sewn, cotton quilt with batting will be picked along with the MINI winner on December 8 at the Arboretum’s annual Winter Dinner Auction – this year at The Crossings (Colonie). 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.”

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic-designated Route 20 in Esperance, an easy and beautiful ride from everywhere. Visitors to the Landis Arboretum will find themselves within minutes of the adventures of Howe Caverns (518-296-8900, www.HoweCaverns.com), the 25-acre Old Stone Fort Museums Complex (518.295.7192), and historic Sharon Springs.

Capital Region residents are invited to cheer them on this Sunday, October 14th to celebrate Motor-Tober – and to stop by Landis, the Capital Region’s Arboretum, for a chance to own a MINI of their own.

Motoo-Tober Contact: rsvp@keeler.com; 518-724-1015 ext. 146

Easy to Access, A Pleasure to Stay

THE LANDIS ARBORETUM is 1.5 miles off scenically designed, historic Route 20. The Arboretum is a natural stop for road warriors traveling historic Route 20 between New York State’s Capital Region and Cooperstown.

From Esperance: Turn at the Town Hall onto Charleston Street which turns into Conover Road. There is a green sign for Landis on Route 20 by this road. Follow for 1 ¼ miles. The road bears right 90 degrees at one point. Turn right onto Lape Road. There is a sign for Landis and a dead end sign.

From Cobleskill/Howe Caverns: Take Route 7 East to Route 30A. Turn left on Route 30A north (Red Barrel convenience store on the corner). Turn right (East) at Route 20 (a Mobil convenience store on left). Go into the village of Esperance. Pass Eastman’s Cheese House and the post office on your right. Make your next left onto Charleston Street which turns into Conover Road. Follow directions from Esperance.

From Schoharie/Middleburgh: Take Route 30 north to route 20. Turn left onto Route 20 West. As you enter Esperance you will cross the Schoharie Creek. Make first right at Town Hall. Follow directions from Esperance.

From Amsterdam: Take Route 30 south to intersection with Route 20. At the traffic light turn right onto Route 20 West. As you enter Esperance you will cross the Schoharie Creek. Make first right at Town Hall. Follow directions from Esperance.

From Saratoga and North: Take Northway (I-87) south to the NYS Thruway. Take the Thruway West to exit 25A. Take I-88 West to exit 24 – Duanesburg. Take Route 20 West six miles through Duanesburg to Esperance. Make first right in Esperance at Town Hall. Follow directions from Esperance.

From Albany and the East: Take route 20 West to Duanesburg, or the NYS Thruway West to exit 25A. Take I-88 West to exit 24 – Duanesburg. Take Route 20 West six miles through Duanesburg to Esperance. Make first right in Esperance at Town Hall. Follow directions from Esperance.

From Schenectady: Take Route 7 West or I-88 West to exit 24 – Duanesburg. Take Route 20 West for six miles through Duanesburg to Esperance. Make first right in Esperance at Town Hall. Follow signs from Esperance.

From Canajoharie: Take Route 10 south to Sharon Springs. Turn left onto Route 20 East. Follow through Carlisle, Sloansville and into the village of Esperance. Pass Eastman’s Cheese House and the post office on your right. Make your next left onto Charleston Street which turns into Conover Road. The Town Hall is on the corner and there is a sign for Landis. Follow directions from Esperance.

From the West on the NYS Thruway: Take exit 29 for Canajoharie. Follow direction from Canajoharie.

From Oneonta and the West: Take route 20 East, or I-88 East to Cobleskill/Middleburgh exit (not Cobleskill/Richmondville exit). Take Route 7 East. Turn left on route 30A. There will be a Red Barrel convenience store on the corner Turn left on Route 30A north. Turn right on Route 20 East. There will be a Mobil convenience store on your left. Go into the village of Esperance. Pass Eastman’s Cheese House and the post office on your right. Make your next left onto Charleston Street which turns into Conover Road. The Town Hall is on the corner and there is a sign for Landis. Follow directions from Esperance.

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Posted Monday October 08, 2007 at 11:48 am by Landis Arboretum