Astronomers Add Star Power to Arboretum Garden Party

ESPERANCE, NY (06/11/2007)(readMedia)-- The second annual Landis Arboretum’s Summer Garden Party will take place on Saturday, June 16, 5 – 9 p.m. Called a Summer Solstice Soiree, the event is scheduled under the Great Tent overlooking the Van Loveland Perennial Gardens at the Arboretum where music, laughter, and the scent of flowers will fill the night air Admission is $45/person. A limited number of tables-for-eight are available.

Albany Astronomers on Hand According to Alan French, the Albany Area Astronomers will hold their regularly scheduled, open-to-the-public star party at the Arboretum that same night. All Garden Party guests are invited to continue the excitement of the evening by moving directly from the Party which ends at 9 p.m. to the Arboretum’s Meeting House field for the 10 p.m. Star Party.

With its dark skies and good horizons the Landis Arboretum is a superb place to explore the night sky. At the events, members of the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers set up telescopes to offer visitors views of celestial showpieces, including nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, doubles stars, and any visible planets. For those interested, there will be a brief introductory program and constellation tour.

Mr. French has been exploring the night sky for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Susan, have been sharing the night sky with people at star parties in the Capital District for more than 30 years. French is a telescope maker, but also enjoys naked-eye astronomy. He is Vice President of Dudley Observatory's Board of Trustees and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers.

Star-party participants other than Garden Party guests should bring something to sit on, and dress warmly. The program is canceled if the sky is cloudy. Participants are encouraged to register by calling 518-374-8460 so that they can be notified if cloudy skies force a cancellation. The Albany Area Astronomers foster public interest and enjoyment of astronomy.

The AAA owns an 18 inch telescope, and members bring a variety of other telescopes to these gatherings, and are happy to share the views of deep sky wonders or offer help to those new to the hobby. For more information, visit www.timesunion.com/communities/astronomy. Star Parties are canceled if the skies are mostly cloudy. To check if a particular star party is happening or not, call 518-374-8460.

Twilight Supper, Music and More By popular request, Dottie Gallo-Vojnar, Sweet Tooth Caterers, Esperance, NY, will return to the Arboretum Garden Party this year to provide the special twilight dinner. And, and, once again, Carolyn and Frederick Wellington will create solstice-inspired desserts from their Schoharie farm kitchen for this second annual Arboretum Garden Party.

“We hope that the Garden Party will be the gala event of the season – no matter where one lives or works,” says Donna Vincent, a Landis Trustee, owner of Plantscapes Country Gardens (Duanesburg), and Chair of the June 16 event. She notes that many of the corporate sponsors of the Soiree use the event as a memorable way to thank outstanding employees, acknowledge the loyalty of clients, solicit prospects, and simply to spend a wonderful evening with special friends and associates under the star-studded, dark vast sky of the Arboretum.

Vocals by Carmine The popular Carmine Dio (Guilderland) will provide the vocal highlights of the Summer Solstice Soiree at the Arboretum. Well-know in the Capital Region for work on behalf of area charities, Carmine Dio and his Goodfellas Band have appeared at the American Legion (Schuylerville) to raise money for families who with lost children, at the Parting Glass (Saratoga), and in Peables Park (Waterford) for children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Mr. Dio, who performed on the CP Telethon in 2006, will perform at the Arboretum accompanied by Goodfellas' rhythm guitarists Brad Peak (Colonie) who will backup Mr. Dio on the vocals. Following his appearance at the June 16 Garden Party, Carmine & the Goodfellas will team up with Kevin Richards for a free Country Dance Party at Happi Daze in Amsterdam, NY, on June 22. For more information, visit carminedio.com

Florists Show Support For the second year running, Capital Region florists are feverishly preparing to showcase the style and flair that differentiates their establishment from others by crafting table centerpieces that will become part of the evening’s fundraising efforts. Guests will be invited to bid on the arrangements to benefit the Arboretum’s perennial gardens.

Ms. Vincent is spearheading the floral contributions from area shops. “Creative shops and floral designers love events such as this,” she says. “The challenge of crafting a unique centerpiece coupled with an opportunity to contribute to a noteworthy cause and have fun doing it is something that most florists can't resist.”

Fifteen area establishments will be represented a the Arboretum’s Summer Solstice Soiree under the tent overlooking the beautiful Van Loveland Perennial Gardens: Ambiance Florals & Events, Albany; Bella Fluer, Altamont; Classica Florist, Guilderland; The Country Florist, Burnt Hills; Doral's Touch of Class, Amsterdam; Felthousen's Florist, Schenectady; Frank Gallo & Son, Schenectady; Hotaling Florist, Amsterdam; The Mill Farm, Middleburgh; Patti's Greenhouses, Broadalbin; Plantscapes Country Gardens, Duanesburg; Randolph's Florist, Schenectady; Speedling Florist, Cobleskill; Bud's Florist and Greenhouses, Castleton-on-Hudson; and Maloney's Flower Shop, Waterford.

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 on display at the Garden Party. 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.”

Arboretum Turns to MINI-COOPER 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, in concert with Keeler Motor Car Company (Latham, NY) will raffle a 2007 Mini-Cooper. Only 350 tickets will be sold at $100 each and tickets will be available at the June 16 Garden Party. The 2007 Mini-Cooper is at the center of this year’s Arboretum Raffle fundraiser. Instantly recognizable by its unique styling, the car is considered to be a compact powerhouse whose near-instant and widespread popularity has made it a break-through highway icon. Featuring its bravura bulldog stance, the handsomely equipped Mini features six airbags and side protection, an Ultra-Rigid body, and 1.6 L 16-valve Alloy Engine. With 118 horsepower @6000 rpm, an array of active and passive safety features, coupled with an estimated average 37 mpg/highway yield, the Mini-Cooper has one of the highest smiles for miles rating of any car in its class. 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 Drive for the Cure, Proctor’s Theater, Special Olympics, Saratoga Automobile Museum, and the Red Cross.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Landis Arboretum at 171 Lape Road in Esperance. Tickets also are available by mail: Send self-addressed, stamped envelope with 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. www.LandisArboretum.org. .

New Additions to Acorn Jewelry Collection Esperance jeweler Judy Helfrich created a signed and numbered sterling silver pin/pendant inspired by the Great Oak at the Arboretum for last season’s winter dinner auction at the Howe Caverns. Ms. Helfrich returns this year with several new glittering installments to her Acorn Collection that include three new necklaces combining outdoor forms -- such as oak leafs and acorns -- with silver, copper, and crystal beads and nuanced colors experienced within the natural environment of the rolling Schoharie countryside. She will unveil her new creations at the June 16 Garden Party. The new, wearable art pieces will be available at the Arboretum’s Acorn Gift Shop and the Departures Shop at Albany International Airport.

Garden Lore and Lure Conviviality in a garden setting has long attracted hosts and party-goers alike for centuries. In the early years of the 20th Century, Pierre S. du Pont made the garden party an American art form when he assumed an active role in Wilmington, Delaware, society. As early as 1906, he held the first garden-party picnic at what is now Longwood Gardens, an estate his family purchased as much to have a place to entertain guests as to preserve and extend its natural splendors.

At Landis, close friend of Fred Lape, LeVan Loveland was instrumental in the early stages of the Arboretum’s development. As a banker and financial advisor he was primarily responsible for the incorporation of the Arboretum as an educational institution. In addition, Loveland is remembered for his skill in and enthusiasm for flower gardening. Some of his original perennial beds that bear his name are in front of the farmhouse and continue to attract large numbers of visitors year after year. Garden Party guests can tour the Gardens at the Soiree.

Multifaceted Jewel 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 Landis Arboretum includes a nationally recognized collection of oaks and is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). The Arboretum also is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site. The Arboretum’s vast dark sky and wide horizons attract area astronomers to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events

The Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions.

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic-designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from throughout the Capital Region. For more information, call 518-875-6935; www.LandisArboretum.org.

Posted Monday June 11, 2007 at 07:01 am by Landis Arboretum