Family-focused & Cool Events at Arboretum Foil Summer Sizzle

ESPERANCE, NY (06/17/2007)(readMedia)-- LIVE Concert by nationally acclaimed FLAME, Saturday, July 21, Noon – 4 p.m. Experience Fulton County’s award–winning soft rock band. Jointly sponsored by Schoharie County ARC and the Landis Arboretum. Assemblyman Peter Lopez to Emcee. To benefit the Wanderland Accessible Garden project at Landis Arboretum. Bring the whole family. Kick back. Enjoy Ms. Cherie and her Fabulous Hot Pots as they warm up the crowd – or simply stroll the gardens or walk the 8+ miles of trails at Landis. Food, beverages available – or pack your own! Tickets, $10. Parking, free! Noon – 4 p.m. Rain or shine under the Great Tent at Landis.

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

Could there be a better time to visit your Arboretum and participate in the benefits of membership? Memorable times at the Landis Arboretum with your family and friends for affordable fun under nature’s spell.

Planting the Seeds

The Wanderland Universally Accessible Gardens at the Arboretum

Paul Blair 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, a place in which anyone can amble freely against the backdrop of Arboretum’s Meeting House and the embracing spirit of our Great Oak. With your generous support -- and the help of the Schoharie County ARC, members of the 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!

Peter Lopez of the 127 Assembly District has graciously offered to emcee a fundraising event for the region’s ARCs and the Landis Arboretum on July 21. The event – to support implementation of the Wanderland Universally Accessible Garden at Landis, the Capital’s Region’s Arboretum -- will feature Fulton’s County’s award-winning and nationally acclaimed soft-rock band FLAME and will be held at the Arboretum in Esperance, NY between 1 – 4 p.m.

Your presence and participation will help enormously in ensuring the success of this early afternoon, family-fun event that will benefit hundreds of ARC consumers and their families, as well as thousands of families and individuals throughout the Capital Region.

Background: 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. The goal now is to create a universally accessible garden for all people with disabilities, including some of us caught up in the natural process of aging.

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 the ARC: 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 more than 71,000 members located in almost every county, community and developmental center. NYSARC, Inc., through its chapters, employs 26,000 individuals and is able to provide direct services to over 60,000 people daily. NYSARC, Inc. is the largest organization of its kind in the nation.