Book Lovers Eye Landis Arboretum

For Annual Used-Book Sale on May 19 - 20

ESPERANCE, NY (05/09/2007) (readMedia)-- The natural splendor of the 548-acre Landis Arboretum is bound to be the destination of choice for book buyers, sellers, and collectors en route to the annual Used Book Sale scheduled in concert with the Landis Arboretum’s signature Plant Sale, 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20 in historic Esperance, NY.

Bibliophiles will be rewarded with thousands of titles in good condition to browse through and buy, while surrounded by thousands of 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. Proceeds will benefit maintenance and improvements at Landis, the Capital Region’s Arboretum.

Volunteer Driven

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.

Marian Hotopp and her husband Ken (Cobleskill) are regular volunteers at the Arboretum. She notes that “many generous people from throughout the Capital Region – most notably Herm Finkbeiner [Rexford] and Dr. "Merv" [Mervyn] Pritchard (Schenectady) among them – have contributed hundreds of hours and thousands of books to the Arboretum Book Sale every year.” This year, she says, “We’re pleased to have many new titles to offer.”

Herm Finkbeiner, a retired research scientist and manager from GE, has been an active supporter of the Arboretum for more than 25 years. He points to the start of the book sale a few years ago with deaccessioned books from the Arboretum library and its expansion to include literally thousands of books. He says that many of the books have been contributed by The Owl Pen of Greenwich, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, the Catnap Used Book store of Cobleskill, as well as many by friends of the Arboretum. “Books seem to be both long-lived and mobile so there have always been many titles of the sort" he adds. Browsing visitors often are overheard saying, “I should have read that years ago; at $2, the time must be right!”

First-time Sunday Artisans’ Sale

Always responsive to members and visitors comments, the Arboretum will showcase the quality offerings of 17 select area craft-specialists whose work will be for sale at Artisans’ Sunday, May 20, 10 AM – 4 PM in concert with the Plant Sale.

Among those expected to participate in Artisan’s Sunday are:

Andrea Schleider, Passing Fancy; Amy Howansky, Mother Earth Mementos (nature- related jewelry); Barbara Weloth’s Homegrown Designs and Garden Accessories; Betty Pillsbury, The Green Spiral; Betsy Mathias, BJ’s Personalized Garden Bricks; Jan Hornbach Watercolors; In the Gardens (fresh-roasted, gourmet coffees); Judy Helfrich, Jeweler; Kathy Cornell, Papier Moon Primitives; Kate Hahn, Hahn Studio; Kathy Catlin of Kings Creek Pottery ; Kirsten Sanchirico, Kirsten's Beeswax Candles; Mary Ann Schuler, Fish Rubbings and Photography; Sharon Pasquini, Thistle Hill Soap; Scott Zampier, Earthy Originals™; Wendy Kass, BINDI? Jewelers; 4-H club, Quaker Street Critters; and St. Leo's Enterprises (earthworm castings).

Artisans – and solo or small-group musicians interested in registering and participating in this inaugural event are invited to contact the Arboretum at 518-875-6935 by May 10.

Greenhouse Open

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 Landis Trustee Jeff Schworm who worked in tandem with Board member Scott Trees as Plant Sale procurement specialist s for the May event. “Rhododendrons, azaleas, great evergreens, shade and ornamental trees, native plants, along with a better-than-ever perennial offerings and the usually unusual selection of flowering shrubs . . . . Add all to of this variety several improved hardy rose selections, a few bright and interesting annuals, heaths and heathers, contributions from members’ gardens, along with an expanded bargain area, and you get a Spring Plant Sale to write home about!”

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.

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.

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.”

“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.”

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!

-0-

About the Arboretum

The Landis Arboretum is a 548-acre public garden that includes eight miles of hiking and walking trails overlooking picturesque Schoharie Valley near Esperance, NY. Forty acres are developed with plantings trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials from around the world. The remainder of the property consists of natural areas, woodlands, and open fields reminiscent of the former farm of founder Fred Lape. The Arboretum may be one of the best kept secrets of the Capital Region and along scenic Route 20 corridor between Albany and Skaneateles. 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 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.

Old Growth Forest

The Arboretum's most recent land acquisition, for example, almost doubled the size of the site and contains a horticulture bonanza. Last summer, a team of old-growth-forest experts surveyed the site and found species of trees ranging from 150 to 350 years old. One parcel of land near the Montgomery County line contains one of the oldest forests in the area.

This ancient forest is approximately 30 acres in size and is located in the northeast corner of the Arboretum. “This is a forest that has been untouched since the Revolutionary War,” said Bruce Kershner, an ancient forest authority and author of The Sierra Club Guide to Ancient Forests of the Northeast. The Landis Arboretum is now one of only three arboreta in eastern North America that have old growth forests. The other two are the New York Botanical Garden and Rutgers University – neither of which can compare to Landis’ natural collection and pre-revolutionary flora.

Educational Initiatives

The Arboretum offers classes, workshops, guided and self-guided nature study, and is working toward providing meeting space in its bucolic setting for special events, lectures, and demonstrations. Workshop subjects include hawks, moths, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and arthropods. Horticultural interests are the focus of classes in pruning, tree identification, daylilies, and plant propagation. Ancillary workshops have focused on photography, basket making, botanical illustration and landscape painting.

Easy Access

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic US Route 20 in Esperance, NY. Exit #23 off I-88 and follow Route 30A (turn right on Route 20) or Route 30 (turn left on Route 20) toward Esperance.

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. The main parking lot is ¼ mile down on your left. Across the street from this parking lot are our offices, located in the farmhouse, Nearby is the barn and our library and greenhouse. Farther up Lape Road you will see a small sign for the Meeting House on the right. You may pull into this driveway and park by the Meeting House. Our collections are accessible from either parking area.