Historic Route 20 Links Arboretum Fall Plant Sale,Sharon Springs Garlic Fest

On September 13 – 14 for Affordable, All-day Family Fun. Rain or Shine!

SCHOHARIE REGION (09/04/2008)(readMedia)--

Two for the Road: Some say that two heads are better than one. Two major Schoharie County events this month take that maxim to a new level by providing a multi-tiered array of options for family fun, entertainment, and Fall enjoyment. Both events take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 - 14 off scenically designated, historic Route 20 (www.usroute20.com).

Less than 18 miles apart, the 36th Annual Landis Arboretum Fall Plant Sale fundraiser and the Sharon Springs Annual Garlicfest Classic are clarion calls to enjoyment throughout the extended Capital Region.

LANDIS FUNDRAISER ACCENTS QUALITY, COLOR, DIVERSITY

As sure as autumn follows summer, the signature Fall Plant/Book and Used-Book Sale/Fundraiser at Landis, the Capital Region's Arboretum, has became an annual rite of passage for gardeners, plant lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the Northeast. This year the event will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, from 10 AM - 4 PM. There is no admission and parking is free. The Sale takes place rain or shine.

According to Procurement Committee Member Jeff Schworm, "Visitors always seem to enjoy the Fall Plant Sale. There will be many great buys and closeouts from several area consignors and possibly a few items that didn't make our hillside plantings earlier this year. Everyone connected with this event take pride in putting together the Fall display because the colors are so vibrant and energizing." Mr. Schworm is President of the Arboretum's Board of Trustees and owner of the Nursery at Liddledale Farm (Duanesburg, NY).

Fall-A Great Time to Plan and Plant

Longtime Landis volunteer and master gardener Cindy King offers her own perspective on this year's signature event:

"Thousands of choice plants will be available at the 2008 Fall Plant Sale, so it will be to your advantage to spend a few minutes before the sale to stroll or sit in your own garden and think about what you see. Answering questions like these before you come to the sale will guide your purchases:

  • What would you like to change about your garden?
  • What do you like best about it?
  • Does the garden have balance?
  • Are there gaps in groups of plants?
  • Is it practical to work in the garden areas?

"Sit in your garden. Look around. Make a list. Jot down ideas of how you can build your garden to be even more beautiful! "We will be delighted to help you achieve that beautiful garden at the 2008 Fall Plant Sale!"

About Cindy King: Cindy King is a master gardener with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties. She also serves as a volunteer in the Cornell Master Forest Owner (MFO) program. Cindy has been gardening and woodswalking for 50 years throughout New York State. Cindy has extended her own native plant endeavors to the George Landis Arboretum to help expand their collections and plant sales. She has initiated the Trillium Project designed to grow trillium at the Arboretum from seed and help to keep this beautiful, endangered wildflower from extinction.

Abundance of Books

The volunteer-driven and always popular Arboretum Used-Book Sale (under cover in the restored English Barn) will again offer thousands of books on all topics including horticulture, nature & science, cooking, philosophy, self-help, sports, mystery, science fiction and more. The annual Book Sale is made possible through the generosity of both individuals and popular book haunts such as The Owl Pen of Greenwich, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, and Catnap Used Books on Cobleskill's Main Street. Volunteers clean and categorize the offerings - both hard and soft cover - and price them at levels that few can refuse.

Home Baked Goods

Visitors also can expect the hallmark unusual and tasty baked cookies, cakes, pies and breads. Donations of home-baked baked goods would be welcomed. Call 518-875-6935 for information. Proceeds of the traditional bake sale are used to support the Arboretum's perennial gardens.

Fun-for All

Visitors to the Landis Arboretum Fall Plant Sale are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, bug spray, and to wear sensible shoes and attire appropriate for the natural terrain of the Arboretum.

The Fall weather offers an excellent opportunity to walk the beautiful grounds of the Arboretum or to take advantage of its more than eight miles of walking/hiking trails and the riotous colors of the season.

For more information, call the Arboretum at 518-875-6935. The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic Route 20 in Esperance, NY. www.LandisArboretum.org.

SHARON SPRINGS GARLIC FESTIVAL AND ARTISANS FAIR

The 8th Annual Sharon Springs Garlic Festival and Artisans Fair will be held at the Sharon Springs Central School on US 20, The Great Western Turnpike. This two-day event has more vendors, more artisans, more food and music, and features a live radio remote broadcast on WSDE AM 1190 Saturday morning from 10 am - noon. The purposes of this annual event are to spotlight garlic and hand-crafted offerings, with regular and new vendors from all around the upstate area.

This annual gathering in the center of Sharon Springs is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, from 10 am. until 4 pm, and is free to the public. Free parking is available around the school and across the street.

Garlic vendor tents are outside on the front lawn, and feature organic garlic along with everything you ever though could be done with this bulb -- braids, jam, dips, sauces, soups, roasted seasonings and decorations. Outside artisan booths will also feature other foods, pottery, photography, maple syrup, jewelry, handcrafts, wooden toys, massage therapists, worm castings and even alpacas, beekeepers and a blacksmith.

Inside in the old gymnasium, newly-named the Coach Doig Gym, artisans will be showing pottery and handcrafted stoneware, jewelry, stained glass, aromatherapy products, woven handcrafts, headed serving pieces, antiquities, and a booth that will create mugs and clothing with your own artwork. Also inside will be tables sponsored by the Sharon Free Library and the Sharon Historical Society, who will guide visitors through the historic Mitchell Collection on permanent display in the school.

Live music both days will include Two Days in May, The Empty Pockets Gang and The Red Hat Kazoo Band, among others.

Breakfast and lunch will be available in the school cafeteria, catered by My Sisters' Place Cafe with pastries from The Black Cat Cafe and Bakery. Among the many new food vendors outside are an ice cream cart from The Cool Cat Cafe, lemonade, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones, fries and fried dough, and barbecued chicken from the Sharon Springs Fire Department. Many more food selections are listed in the program available at the Chamber information desk in the school. More village shops, restaurants, the Sharon Historical Society Museum complex, walking tours, and other places of interest in the Historic Village are within easy access from the Festival.

In addition, raffles and door prize drawings will be held, giving away gift baskets from local merchants, tickets to the Baseball Hall of Fame, The Old Stone Fort Museum, The Iroquois Museum and Howe Caverns, and 50/;50 and Chinese raffles for other donated prizes.

For more details on this year's offerings, check the Chamber website --www.sharonspringschamber.com