Nature, History, and Horses Hooves Draw Adventurous

To Old Stone Fort, Landis Arboretum for Columbus Day Weekend

SCHOHARIE REGION (10/02/2008)(readMedia)--

Schoharie County offers great value for cost-conscience families and individuals looking for affordable fun close to home for the upcoming Columbus Day weekend. Two nearby events -- the two-day History Fair at the Old Stone Fort Museum and a Wild-Learn adventure at the Landis Arboretum and JD Winslow Equestrian Entertainment - create an exciting staycation for all to enjoy.

HISTORY LIVES AT OLD STONE FORT

The Old Stone Fort Museum will hold its third History Fair on October 11 and 12, 2008. The event showcases an array of history from all time periods, and will include military re-enactors, demonstrations, and displays by town historians and historical societies, museums, antique gas engines, spinners and weavers, authors, music and more. Visitors can talk to people portraying historical persona ranging from President Abraham Lincoln to Ragnar the Viking.

"People have asked me who Ragnar is, and what he has to do with Schoharie County history," says museum director Carle Kopecky. "I tell them that unlike the local interest historical re-enactments the Fort is best-known for, the History Fair is a celebration of history and history enthusiasts of all types, time periods, and places. Ragnar is a person fascinated by a particular aspect of history, who shares his knowledge with the public. That sharing of knowledge is what museums are all about and what visitors to the History Fair can expect from all exhibitors."

The History Fair is dedicated to the idea that history can be appealing to anyone, of any age, by bringing it to life. The mechanically inclined can see demonstrations of hundred-year-old technology by the Mohawk-Hudson Chapter of Pioneer Gas Engines - the "Gas-Up" folks - and a display by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society. There will be Revolutionary and Civil War encampments, with additional representations of soldiers from the Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. Members of the New York National Guard will also be in attendance. The more genealogically oriented can visit the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, as well as the Sons of Union Veterans.

The Golden Fleece Spinners and Weavers will hold their popular Dye Pot Days and demonstrate early American homespun techniques. The Schoharie Chippers Woodcarvers will also be demonstrating their craft, and there will be clothiers and other vendors of historical goods. Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, the Iroquois Indian Museum, Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association and the Hanford Mills Museum will have displays and information, as will many town and village historians and historical societies. A special exhibit of unusual and seldom-seen documents from the Schoharie County Historical Society archives will also open in the museum's Badgley Annex.

Music will be accompanying the festivities throughout the weekend, featuring military and civilian pieces spanning the colonial period through World War II. In addition, the Esperance Band will present a performance of American standards on Saturday night at 6: pm. Children's field games, cemetery tours and, of course, food provided by the George Mann Tory Tavern, will round out the Fair.

Due in part to the generosity of History Fair sponsors, including Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Stewarts Shops, Sterling Insurance, Support Services Alliance and Wal-Mart Distribution Center, admission is free for all children under 18 years of age when accompanied by an adult, and adult admission is only $7. Hours are 10 am to 7:30 pm Saturday and Noon to 5 pm on Sunday. Further information can be obtained at www.theOldStoneFort.org, or by calling 518-295-7192.

WILDLEARN AND WINSLOW OUTDOOR FAMILY ADVENTURE

Within minutes of the Old Stone Fort Museum Complex, weekend adventurers will find a natural double-header sponsored by the Landis Arboretum, Wildlife Learning Company, and JD Winslow - created especially for the family-focused Columbus Day weekend.

  • Join the Wildlife Learning Company at the Arboretum for a live animal presentation that includes local wildlife - including birds, reptiles, and amphibians - followed by an interactive, guided nature walk. The program takes place at 10 am on Sunday, October 12 and is repeated at 1 pm. Location: Landis Arboretum, Lape Road, Esperance, NY.
  • Experience the excitement of artistic equestrian JD Winslow for a workshop on the care and training of his unique riding horses followed by a special acrobatic riding presentation. The program takes place at 10 am and is repeated at 1 pm on Sunday, October 12. Location: 1185 Creek Road, Esperance, NY.

One fee includes admission to both presentations:

  • $15/Landis members; $20/non-members.
  • Rates for a family of four at $50/members; $65/non-members.
  • Call (518) 875-6935 to register by phone with credit card.

About Wildlife Learning Company

Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. is a full-service environmental education company offering services and products to schools, libraries, environmental organizations, and members of the general public. WLC promotes conservation through education and strives to connect people to nature by providing programs and products that foster an appreciation of the natural environment, impart an understanding of how natural systems function, and create a desire for people to explore the natural world further and take personal responsibility for its protection and care. Wildlife Learning Company provided programs to more than 6,000 participants last year.

WLC principals Susan and Jeffrey O'Handley are career environmental educators with over 30 years combined experience in live animal and environmental education programming and administration. Susan's experience has been predominantly with the development and administration of programs, staff and facilities for non-profit conservation and education organizations, nature and environmental education centers and environmental and outdoor recreation centers. Jeff has worked considerably in environmental education programming and administration as well as exhibit design and implementation. Both Susan and Jeff have worked extensively with students and educators and members of the general public and have been responsible for the care, maintenance and handling of live animals similar to those Wildlife Learning Company maintains for use in programs. Susan O'Handley, Vice President, Wildlife Learning Company, Inc., 107 East Hill Road, Hartwick, NY 13348, (607) 293-6043 • Fax: (607) 293-6675; message@wildlearn.com, www.wildlearn.com.

JD Winslow Equestrian Entertainment: Where old school Rosinback riding meets modern day demands for education and knowledge.

In this day of heightened interest in horses and all disciplines of equestrian activities, JD demonstrates and explains the partnership that can be created between horse and rider. 2000 years ago Artistic Riding was performed at Roman games. In 1920 Vaulting was included in Olympic Games, performed by Calvary troops who regarded it as a step towards an advanced equestrian education. Modern day vaulting was officially recognized as an equestrian discipline in 1983. It is the older style "Artistic Riding" combined with circus style riding that sets JD Winslow apart from all the rest. If you love the beauty of horses, appreciate the balance of trick riding, or have an interest in the history behind all this, JD has a program for you. (http://www.jdwinslowequestrianentertainment.com/)

About Landis

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 Route 20 in historic Esperance, NY. There, with decades of history and the riveting beauty inherent in the Arboretum's world-class, global collections, generations of extraordinary plantings continue to impart their secrets to its visitors.

Widening the Door to Natural Wonders...Every Day of the Year!

As the Capital Region's Arboretum, Landis serves all residents in the extended Capital Region, which includes (Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Ulster). Many regular visitors to Landis hail from Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires, Westchester, and western New York State. A 501 c 3 corporation, the Arboretum depends heavily of donations, grants, and fundraising events.

For more information about the Landis Arboretum and Adventures in Schoharie County:

Ease of access from all points extends the geographic reach of the Arboretum: Central to NYS Wine and Spa Trails; the Arboretum benefits from its proximity to historic Sharon Springs, Howe Caverns, the Iroquois Indian Museum, the Cave House, SUNY Cobleskill, and the reputed farms of Schoharie County, including Cooper's Ark Farm with its signature handicapped accessible hay wagon.

Contacts:

  • Old Stone Fort: Carle J. Kopecky, director@schohariehistory.net; (518) 295-7192.
  • Wildlearn-Winslow: Susan O'Handley, Wildlife Learning Company, Inc.; (607) 293-6043; (607) 293-6675; message@wildlearn.com, www.wildlearn.com.