The Race is ON! Arboretum 5K and Awesome August Events

Set to Run, Rain or Shine. Assemblyman Peter Lopez to Attend

SCHOHARIE REGION (08/29/2008)(readMedia)--

Accepting the challenge of the Landis Arboretum to the entire New York State Legislature, Assemblyman Peter Lopez (R) plans to be on hand at the Landis Arboretum on Saturday, August 30 for that organization's Awesome August Perfecta.

The daylong array of family events will celebrate the spirit and vision of Arboretum founder Fred Lape who would have been 108 years of age this month. Lape, an outspoken raconteur, musician, novelist, poet, teacher, farmer, naturalist, and legend in his own time, left a tangible memorial on his death in 1985 in the Landis Arboretum, an institution that he founded developed, nurtured, and helped to perpetuate on the site of his family's Oak Nose Farm in Esperance, NY. Today, the Landis Arboretum is known around the world for its outstanding collections, which include a nationally recognized collection of oaks 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.

"We have no idea if Assemblyman Lopez actually will run in the scheduled 5k cross-country event," says Arboretum Executive Director Thom O'Connor, "although he appears to be in better shape than most! What is important is that he will join us at Landis at this annual celebratory event. Assemblyman Lopez has shown himself to be a friend of Landis throughout the years. His presence also may encourage other area officials to join in the festivities at the Capital Region's Arboretum."

Awesome August Perfecta

A Family Day for Runners, Musicians, Artists from throughout Capital Region

In honor of founder Fred Lape, the 548-acre Landis Arboretum will be a gathering place for self-expression and networking among region artisans, artists, musicians, photographers, and performance artists on Saturday, August 30. Admission and parking are free. Donations of $5 person and $15 family help to support the Capital Region's Arboretum, a non-profit entity that depends on fundraising, grants, and the generosity of visitors to sustain itself as a public park open to all.

"In the spirit of the Arboretum, we plan to provide an atmosphere that encourages openness and artistic expression indicative of Fred Lape's legacy as a man of the arts. We also hope to introduce the Arboretum to many people who have always wanted to visit but never have," says Fred Breglia, the Arboretum's ISA Certified Arborist and leader of his own band. The Arboretum encourages creative individuals and those who support them to bring their music, poetry, prose, artwork, and crafts to share with others within the rolling hills and plantings of the Arboretum.

"We'll provide a public address (PA) system and an open mic," says Mr. Breglia. "Participants can make the experience as public or private as they like." He suggests that "some artists and performers may prefer to sit quietly and play their music. Others play better to an audience.

Setting the Stage

Following last year's successful 5K, the Arboretum again invites Capital Region runners - and those who support them - to enjoy the spectacular views of the Schoharie countryside at the beautiful Landis Arboretum. All proceeds to benefit the non-profit Landis Arboretum and Wanderland universally accessible garden at Landis.

9 am - Noon: Perennial 5K Cross Country Forest Run/Walk ‘n' Tot Trot.

The 5K Forest Run is the corner stone of a daylong series of events at Landis on August 30. Kintz Plastic of Howe Cave and White Birch Nurseries of Schenectady are principal sponsors of the Landis 5K. Members of the Albany Running Exchange will provide the expertise and oversight to insure success for the race.

Course: The 5K run takes you on a tour of the 548-acre public garden. The majority of the race is set among the Arboretum's trails, ranging from woodlands to fields with rolling hills.

Awards: Male/Female-Top in each age group: Under 15, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+.

Race Day Registration: 8:30 - 9:30 am. Refreshments and tee shirts will be available at the Meeting House after the race. All proceeds to benefit Landis, the Capital Region's Arboretum. For more information - including registration fees and forms - visit http://www.landisarboretum.org.

Noon - 4 pm: Old Stone Fort Militia Encampment

The Schoharie area was a dangerous place during the Revolution. Men joined the militia to protect their families and defend their homes. Awesome August participants are invited to be part of the action as the Stone Fort Volunteer Militia musters them to Join the Militia.

  • Learn basic drills and marching maneuvers with wooden muskets.
  • Engage in a mock skirmish - for the adventuresome of any age! No actual firing, but plenty of fun!

Individuals, families and visitors of all ages are invited to:

  • Participate in Colonial life at the Militia's Revolutionary War encampment
  • Explore Civilian activities for the whole family!
  • Learn spinning and useful household skills of the period
  • Sample 18th century cooking around the campfire!
  • Try basic drills and marching maneuvers
  • Have fun in the open air of the spectacular Landis Arboretum

In the afternoon, Captain Jeff O'Connor and his Old Stone Fort Volunteer Militia - along with local Boy Scout troops, including Arboretum-sponsored Troop 501 under Scoutmaster Chuck Stephens - will present a more advanced demonstration of frontier skirmish tactics.

Old Stone Fort Museum. Eight historic and museum buildings exhibiting 300 years of rural New York history at a Revolutionary War battle site. Self-guided tours, customized educational and group programs, research and genealogy library, museum store, special events and more. 145 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY 12157, (518) 295-7192, http://www.schohariehistory.net. Open May through October.

2 pm: Walk through Old Growth Forest

Howard Stoner, Hudson Valley Community College (Troy) and member of the Eastern Native Tree Society (focused on documenting old growth in New York State.) will lead a walking tour of the ancient forests at the Arboretum.

3:30 pm - 8:30 pm: LAPE DAY OPEN MIC

The Arboretum will provide an Open Mic and atmosphere that encourages openness and artistic expression indicative of Fred Lape's legacy as a man of the arts.

The Arboretum will provide a public address (PA) system and an open mic. Participants can make the experience as public or private as they like. Area bands, soloists, and performance artists will be allotted time within the evening's flexible agenda. Guests and participants are asked to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Refreshments will be sold. No rain date is scheduled.

8:30 pm: Nature Tunes and Tales Campfire

As part of the Lape Birthday Celebration festivities, well-know Amsterdam, NY-based naturalist George Steele will conduct a Nature Tunes and Tales Campfire. Mr. Steele brings this traditional, group participatory activity to new heights as he creates a true theater in the round with a fitting emphasis on ecology, plants, animals, and nature-related movements - replete with a ceremonial lighting of the Magic Campfire.

Anyone who has ever experienced the warmth, excitement, and camaraderie of shared time around a dancing fire in the cool night air will want to attend this event at the Fred Lape Birthday Bash celebration. No one does it better than Mr. Steele, an area resident of the Route 20 Scenic Corridor, who is in demand at schools, nature centers, public gardens, and arboreta across the northeast.

Fees

Admission and parking are free to the Arboretum's Awesome August Celebration. There is a registration fee for the 5K. Food and beverages will be available for sale throughout the day. Suggested donations of $5 person, $15 family are strongly encouraged to support the Capital Region's Arboretum, a non-profit entity that depends on fundraising, grants, and the generosity of visitors to sustain itself as a public park open to all. Rain or shine, it's gonna be fine!

Widening the Door to Natural Wonders for All - 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.

The Arboretum is central to NYS Wine and Spa trails; and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs, Old Stone Fort Museums Complex, Howe Caverns, the Iroquois Indian Museum, the refurbished Cave House, SUNY Cobleskill, and the reputed farms of Schoharie County. Within under two miles travel distance from scenically designated Route 20 and the route I-88 corridor that links Albany with Cooperstown, Finger Lakes Regions and beyond, the Landis Arboretum is an accessible national treasure within easy reach of New York State's Capital Region.

The Landis Arboretum is open to all individuals and conducts all institutional operations in accordance with requirements of Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1963, as amended which bar discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, nationality, handicap, or place of residence. In the spirit of Landis Founder Fred Lape, the Arboretum also includes affectional preference in an attempt to reflect progressive times and ensure a welcoming environment for all. The Arboretum conducts business in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements of Article 15A of the Executive Law. Whenever possible, the Arboretum attempts to meet the unique needs and expectations of special populations. .

Run, Walk, Cheer for It
The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic-designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from throughout the Capital Region.

More? Additional details at http://www.landisarboretum.org, by writing info@landisarboretum.org, or calling (518) 875.6935.

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