June 9, 2009, Press Release: Senator Seward, Assemblyman Lopez to be Honored At Landis Arboretum Garden Party, June 20

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For more information contact: Thom O’Connor, 518-875-6935

Senator Seward, Assemblyman Lopez to be Honored At Landis Arboretum Garden Party, June 20

A Night to Celebrate, Savor, Donate, and Remember

SCHOHARIE REGION (06/08/2009; 0600)(readMedia)– The Landis Arboretum will acknowledge two popular and respected New York State legislators at its annual Summer Solstice Soiree on June 20. This year’s summer fundraising event will honor New York State Senator James L. Seward and Assemblyman Peter Lopez – both of whom have been instrumental in supporting initiatives at the not-for-profit Arboretum, including on-going work to establish a universally accessible garden.

According to Senator Seward, "It is always a pleasure to visit Landis. Energized by volunteer effort, this once best-kept secret of the northern Catskills has gained international recognition for its notable northeast oak collection and nature programs. I’m proud that it is within my district."

The gala evening will include:

  • A twilight dinner by Sweet Tooth Caterers (Esperance, NY);
  • The artistry of classical guitarist and Albany resident William Simcoe;
  • Open and silent auctions with an abundance of items from regional businesses;
  • An exhibit of art focused on global warming by award-winning artist and Arboretum ISA Certified Arborist Fred Breglia of Glen, NY. Selected works of Mr. Breglia’s recently completed month-long exhibit on Global Warming: When Trees Talk – will be on display at the renovated Welcome Center during the Garden Party;
  • Table centerpieces will be auctioned at end of the event.

Convivial laughter and the scent of flowers will fill the night air as Arboretum Trustees and volunteers work in tandem to heighten awareness of and raise funds for educational initiatives at Landis and its legacy Van Loveland and Quarry gardens.

It all takes place on Saturday, June 20, from 4:30 – 8:30 PM. Tickets are available ($40/person until June 10; $45 thereafter). Tables of eight, $320. To reserve, or for more information, contact the Arboretum at 518.875./6935 or [email protected].

Arboretum Board President Anne Donnelly (Lawyersville) makes no secret of her excitement about the event and its honorees, Senator Seward and Assemblyman Lopez. "Regardless of one’s political persuasion, both of these men continue to be supportive of our work at the Arboretum," she says.

"Senator Seward has been a long time supporter of Landis – and without his help we would never have completed the critical electrical upgrades needed to continue operations at Landis.

"Assemblyman Lopez has championed our efforts to establish a handicapped accessible garden at Landis and his support has energized others to help as well. Indeed, it will be our honor to acknowledge them at the June 20 Soiree."

About Guitarist William Simcoe

Classical Guitarist William Simcoe is International soloist, accompanist, ensemble leader and organizer, and recording artist from Albany, NY.

Mr. Simcoe has performed with guitarists from around the world including Argentine guitarist Jose Luis Merlin, Brazilian guitarist Marcos Vinicius, and French guitarist Thibault Cauvin. In 2006, he performed at the Ordu International Guitar Festival in Ordu, Turkey. In 2008, he performed for the Classical Guitar Academy of Milan. He has two recordings distributed by Eroica Classical Recordings, "Studies, Memories & Moons" and "Mis Suenos de Tango".

In the Albany area he has performed in venues including Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, the Linda Norris Auditorium, Caffe Lena, The Hyde Collection, Red Square, 70 Beekman Street Art Gallery, and Kripalu Center. He has performed with cellist Lisa Nielson as Spiral Duo. He performs with flautist Elisabeth Williams as Spiral Tango. He is one of the founders of the Classical Guitar Society for Upstate New York, and is a past president of the Capital District Classical Guitar Society. He is the president of the Monday Musical Club of Albany. Learn more and hear for yourself: http://www.williamsimcoe.com/; http://cdbaby.com/cd/simcoe

Open Air Painters Donate Work to Garden Auction

Members of the Mohawk Region Chapter of the New York Plein-Air Painters sponsored a "Paint-Out" on the grounds of the Landis Arboretum in early May – and participating artists donated their work to support the Arboretum. These works will be offered in the auction portion of the Garden Party.

Plein-air painting refers to artwork, usually landscapes, created outdoors on site. Artists typically work in oils and create relatively small paintings that can be completed in a few hours using folding easels and lightweight, portable equipment. All materials are carried in and carried out by the artists with a careful respect of the environment.

On Saturday, September 12, the Mohawk Region Chapter of the New York Plein Air Painters will again sponsor a "Paint-Out" on the grounds of the Landis Arboretum as part of the 7th WORLDWIDE Artist Paint Out. This event is sponsored by the International Plein Air Painters organization each fall. Participants try to connect at the local level to showcase regional landscapes, endangered vistas and celebrate scenic outdoor views all over the globe.

Paint-outs are held this weekend in Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, France, Italy, and the US. Artists of all abilities are welcome to come, bring a bag lunch, and paint on the Arboretum’s spectacular grounds. Participants can park at the Meeting House, up the hill from the main entrance and reconvene there at 3:30 for snacks and an informal "critique" to share the paintings done that day. For more information, contact Mohawk Region Chapter member Mary Beth Vought at 518-868-2807.

Conviviality in the Garden

"We hope that the Garden Party will be the gala event of the season – no matter where one lives or works," says Arboretum Trustee Donna Vincent (Delanson), who is spearheading the event. She says that many of the corporate sponsors are using the event as a memorable way to thank outstanding employees, acknowledge the loyalty of clients, solicit prospects, and simply to spend a wonderful evening with special friends and associates under the star-studded, vast dark sky of the Arboretum, a favorite of area astronomers.

Conviviality in a garden setting has long attracted hosts and party-goers alike for centuries. In the early years of the 20th Century, Pierre S. du Pont made the garden party an American art form when he assumed an active role in Wilmington, Delaware, society. As early as 1906, he held the first garden-party picnic at what is now Longwood Gardens, an estate his family purchased as much to have a place to entertain guests as to preserve and extend its natural splendors.

Multifaceted Jewel

The Landis Arboretum is a multifaceted natural jewel. Long a destination of choice among Capital District gardeners, environmentalists, nature lovers, hikers, perambulists, and birders, the Landis Arboretum may be one of the best-kept secrets among Capital Region residents.

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 meetinghouse 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.

For more information about the Landis Arboretum:

http://www.catskillmtn.org/publications/articles/2008-05-spectacular-beauty-sustainable-fun.html

See where Mother Nature hits her high notes!

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from within the Capital Region. For more information, call 518-875-6935; www.LandisArboretum.org.

Landis Arboretum

174 Lape Road • Esperance, NY 12066

518 875 6935; www.landisarboretum.org; [email protected]The grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk.The office continues on a reduced schedule until May.

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