Plant Lovers, Book Buyers, Baked Goods Mavens, and Area Artisans Defy Weather

ESPERANCE, NY (05/22/2007)(readMedia)-- Neither intermittent rain nor falling temperatures impeded the Landis Arboretum Spring Plant Sale on May 19 and 20. Intrepid volunteers, a focused staff, and hundreds of loyal Landis supporters and first-time customers helped the Capital District’s Arboretum collect gross receipts of more than $46,000 over the checkered-weather weekend.

According to rain-soaked Gerald Peters, Cobleskill, who serves as an Arboretum Trustees and Landis Treasurer, “Although it was not the best weather for most people, it was great for our plants - and those who love them. Preliminary results indicate that we have concluded one of the best Spring Plant Sales in recent memory – with banner results for both our annual, used-book and bake sales.”

Amsterdam Students/Annual Raffles Debut

Plant Sale customers also were treated to art and poetry by Amsterdam Sixth Graders, whose work was displayed in the farmhouse carriage shed adjacent to the Arboretum’s Acorn Shop. The students will visit the Arboretum to conclude an investigation of forests and biodiversity that has been woven throughout their curriculum since Arbor Day.

The weekend event included the debut of two raffle items: the annual Arboretum hand-sewn quilt and a 2007 MINI Cooper with support from Keeler Motor Car Company (Latham). Drawing of winning tickets for both raffles is planned in concert with the Arboretum’s winter dinner-fundraising auction in December. For more information: 518-875-6935.

Books Redux

The Arboretum’s Used Book Sale continued to attract an increasing army of regional supporters. Hundreds of visitors browsed the stalls of the Arboretum’s old English Barn in search of a good read among the thousands of choices that covered a wide range of subjects other than gardening, and which reflected donations from individuals and area businesses such as Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza Mall, Catnap Books (Cobleskill), and Owl Pen Books (Greenwich).

This year as last, browsers were invited to assemble a collection of their favorite titles and to “make an offer” said Ken Hotopp, who with his wife Marian (Cobleskill) “work the stacks” each year along with Used-Book Sale Committee Chair Dr. “Merv” [Mervyn] Prichard (Schenectady) and many book-loving volunteers.

Hands-on Baked Goods

The ever-popular sale of home-baked good donated by Arboretum friends and members was a sold-out success on both Saturday and Sunday. “Where else can we count on getting pies like this,” one couple said to Bake Sale Chairman Patty Redlin (Esperance) who also serves as the Arboretum’s Office Manager. She and Landis Volunteer Coordinator Judy Puddester (Cobleskill) worked in tandem to coalesce the efforts of the close to 100 volunteers who formed the dynamic and ad hoc workforce of the three-day sale event.

More – in the Park

The public will have yet another chance to take advantage of the quality plants, trees, and shrubs available at the Arboretum’s Plants Sales. The Arboretum expects to participate in the town-wide Cobleskill Celebration of June 16. The Landis presence from noon – 4 p.m. will include its hallmark plants. The Arboretum booth will be located on the western green in Veteran’s Memorial Center Park, off Main Street (Route 10) in Cobleskill.

The Arboretum Garden Party (Second Annual Summer Solstice Soiree), featuring the vocal offerings of Carmine Dio, will take place later that same day under the Great Tent overlooking the Van Loveland Perennial Gardens at the Arboretum.

ARC Community Service Award

The Arboretum weekend success came within a day of being honored as the 2007 Community Service Award Winner by the Schoharie Chapter of NYSARC, Inc. Since joining forces last October, the Arboretum and the Schoharie ARC have been planting and harvesting a bounty of opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, the ARC’s Executive Director Anthony Alvarez told those attending the May 17 ARC Annual Membership Dinner in the Ballroom of the Cobleskill’s Best Western.

The fruitful partnership will move to the next level at the July ARC/Arboretum fundraiser on July 21 to benefit the creation of a universally accessible, sensory garden handicapped. Discussions are under way to include support by the Esperance Elks and county BOCES. Flame, the award-wining ARC band, is scheduled to make more than “a little night music” on the Great Lawn overlooking the Van Loveland Perennial Gardens at the Arboretum.

Looking Ahead

The Landis Arboretum has achieved distinction on several fronts this year. Aside from the achievements of the recent plant sale, Fred Breglia, the Arboretum’s Director of Horticulture and Operations garnered attention for Esperance-based Landis when he was cited among the Capital Region’s 40 Under Forty honorees in May as well as the 2007 SUNY Cobleskill Distinguished Alumnus.

Continuing concerted efforts to attract new members and supporters to its expansive 548-acre site and front-running educational programs and events, the Arboretum staff already is preparing for participation in National Trails Day on Saturday, June 2, 9 am–3 pm, to show solidarity with thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from across the country who will gather at trailheads nationwide to work on the hiking trails. This year, Landis will join in and work to improve its more than eight miles of hiking/walking trails that are available to the public every day of the year from dawn until dusk.

On June 16, the Second Annual Summer Solstice Soiree takes place under the Great Tent overlooking the Van Loveland Perennial Gardens at the Arboretum and is quickly followed by Lape Day (August 19) which last year attracted hundreds of musicians and artists from the region in a free, open-mic celebratory memorial to Arboretum founder and renaissance man Fred Lape.

On August 25, the Arboretum reprises its determined efforts to rid its grounds of thousands of long-abandon tires that mar its landscape. The public again is invited to participate in Tirefest, the Arboretum’s third annual tire clean-up, funded by Iroquois LEAF of the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company. Last year, students and entire families participated in the mud-soaked excitement and exhausted bliss that ended with a high-spirited communal luncheon at the Arboretum’s Farmhouse (for home of the Lape family).

The first-ever Landis Arboretum Forest Run: a 5K cross-country classic is scheduled for September 1.

About the Arboretum

The Landis Arboretum is a public garden that includes 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.

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Posted Tuesday May 22, 2007 at 10:20 am by Landis Arboretum