The Landis Newsletter Fall 2021 Volume 39, Number 3
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Breaking News ... We've added a music performance on Friday, October 22, 7:30 - 10:00 PM!
Come see The Brokenhearted - Tom Petty Tribute Band. Click here for more information.
Come see The Brokenhearted - Tom Petty Tribute Band. Click here for more information.
Inside this issue . . .
Click on the title below to read the entire article, or scroll down to sample the issue.
From the Garden: Native Plants in the Garden
- Erin McKenna Breglia, Landis Gardener I have found that plants at the Arboretum have been a wonderful gateway to making friends, whether through conversation at Landis Plant Sales, exploring the trails, or hands-on working in the garden dirt. We were fortunate to have gained a few new volunteers in the garden this season, including Susan Strangia and Serena Drobnak. Both regularly offered a helping hand, and together with Landis Gardener Darlene Crowe, we were able to reclaim many areas that were becoming overcome by weeds. All that weed pulling and pruning was accompanied by “plant talk.” One topic that repeatedly came up often was how to achieve a garden that looks good and is relatively low maintenance. We concurred that, along with the stunning displays of spring and autumn bulbs, summer blooming peonies, and varieties of iris and daylilies, native plants are the solution. [Read more] November 12 "Landis Day" at Grapevine Farms
Our good neighbor Grapevine Farms in Cobleskill has offered to make Friday, November 12, 2021, Landis Day. The Arboretum will receive 20% of all sales on November 12, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Just tell them at check out that you are shopping for Landis! You will have an opportunity to do some holiday shopping — and benefit Landis. While you’re there, you can enjoy lunch in the Farmhouse Bistro. As always, Grapevine Farms will have a unique selection of gifts and stocking stuffers. Grapevine Farms’ wine cellar is one of the best places around to find quality New York State wines. Grapevine Farms is located at 2373 State Route 7, Cobleskill, NY 12043. Visit their website at GrapevineFarms.com for more information. Drum Circles at Landis: A Transformative Experience - Louise Polli
On a clear July evening, Jeseppe (Zep) Trade Wildfeather, his wife Denise, and friends Cindy Jakubowski and Vijaya Luxmi sat in a field overlooking the Arboretum's new Shanti Vun Meditation Garden. They were soon joined by others, friends and strangers, gathering to form a large circle, a drum circle. And then the magic began. [Read more] Dragonflies and Damselflies: Learning New Skills and Making New Friends at the Landis Arboretum - Morgan McClary
With a large straw hat, a variety of nets and field guides, Anne Donnelly waited near the Barn Pond to catch, identify, and release dragonflies and damselflies on a sunny July afternoon. Anne, who is a dragonfly surveyor for the NYS Natural Heritage Program, retired SUNY Cobleskill biology professor, and volunteer coordinator for the Landis Arboretum, held a July 24 “Dragonflies and Damselflies” workshop where she taught approximately 12 attendees ranging in age from six to 60 about these quick and dainty insects. [Read more] LANDIS PORTRAITS: A Series About the People Behind the Plants at the Arboretum - Nolan Marciniec
Morgan McClary, Communications Specialist for Montgomery County, was impressed by the community involvement and spirit of volunteerism among her co-workers, including Karl Gustafson, a member of the Arboretum’s Board of Trustees. He noted her interest in plants and outdoor activities and suggested that she investigate the Arboretum. It was, as Morgan’s husband Sam said, “love at first sight.” [Read more] Don't Overlook Your Reciprocal Admissions Privilege! - Anne Donnelly
A sometimes overlooked benefit of your Landis Arboretum membership is the American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). The program entitles you to special admission privileges and discounts at nearly 350 public gardens and arboreta throughout North America. [Read more] |
From the Director's Desk: Q & A Session - Fred Breglia, Executive Director
Over the years, I have met many people at Landis Arboretum, from locals stopping by to walk their dog to tourists passing through the area. Teachers, artists, arborists, gardeners, lawyers, musicians, families -- all sorts of people. Conversations typically begin with questions about plants, and the following are a few of the most frequently asked questions from my 25 years at the Arboretum. Q) I have lichen growing on my trees, is it going to kill it? A) No, lichen will not harm your tree. It is actually a symbiotic relationship between two organisms, a fungus and an alga. The fungus grows on the tree and collects moisture and minerals from the atmosphere, and the algae make food through photosynthesis. Together they provide what they need to exist. The tree bark is simply the site of growth but not a source of food. Sometimes stressed trees have more lichen on them because they have fewer leaves, so more sunlight is shining on the tree, allowing the lichen more opportunity to grow. [Read more] Mysterious Mushrooms
- Anita Sanchez There stands a little man in the woods alone. He wears a little mantle of velvet brown. Say, who can the manikin be, standing there beneath the tree, In the little mantle of velvet brown? I remember singing this song in kindergarten. It’s a traditional folksong, German, I believe. It’s a riddle song: who is the mysterious man in the forest? Of course, it’s a mushroom! I don’t know what songs kindergarteners are singing these days -- none, probably, since they’re too busy memorizing math facts and preparing for standardized testing -- but I’ve always remembered this song. The feeling of mystery this song eerily conveys has stayed with me. Mushrooms are indeed mysterious. One day they’re nowhere to be seen, and the next morning they magically appear out of the forest soil. [Read more] Amy Howansky Named NYS Region 3 Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional of the Year
- Wilma Jozwiak We are pleased to announce that Landis Board member Amy Howansky has been named 2021 Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional of the Year for New York State’s Region 3. Amy is a landscape designer and owner of Backyard Solutions, a horticulturalist at Faddegon’s Nursery in Latham, and a designer/installer at Frese’s Landscaping in Delmar. She is an appointed volunteer member of the Niskayuna Tree Council, which assists the Town of Niskayuna in tree selection, diagnosis, and installation and in promoting awareness of the importance of trees through public education events. [Read more] The Veteran Tree: A Survivor - Anne Donnelly
This tree was in rough shape when we moved into our run-down 1840s-vintage farmhouse over 50 years ago. But it was the only tree, so it stayed. Then it was where we attached the swing for our firstborn, followed over the years by more babies who swung from its branches, so it stayed. [Read more]
Fred Lape's Apples and Man - Lee Lattimer
In 1979, Fred Lape published a book entitled Apples and Man. The flyleaf states: "The coming generation may scarcely know how a good apple tastes. Anyone who savors the taste of a good apple and is curious about the past history, the current status, and the probable future of the apple will delight in this comprehensive narrative." [Read more] Spotlight on Sponsors: Faddegon's Nursery
- Gail Browning From Randy Herrington's perspective, gardening brings out one’s artistic and creative nature. Randy has been a plant expert at Faddegon’s Nursery in Latham, NY for over 25 years. He credits the personable, knowledgeable staff for the family-run business' longevity of over 100 years. A wall in the gift shop features a gallery of photos depicting the early days of the operation with trolley tracks in front of the modest building, antique trucks, and the original founding family. Today, Faddegon's plays host to local clubs' specialty fundraisers, including the Capital District Iris Society, the Upstate New York Hosta Society, and the Hudson-Adirondack Daylily Society. [Read more] |
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Landis' Betty Corning and her Clematis
- Lee Lattimer Throughout history, many important and influential women have been overshadowed by their more renowned husbands. Eleanor Roosevelt was one. Elizabeth P. Corning was another. Her husband, Erastus Corning 2nd, was an American politician serving as mayor of Albany, NY, from 1942 to 1983. His great-grandfather, Erastus Corning, was an industrialist who founded the New York Central Railroad and who served in Congress and as Albany's mayor from 1834 to 1837. [Read more] |
During the past year, it’s sometimes been difficult to find hope. In this poem by the Arboretum’s founder, Fred Lape, the poem’s speaker finds hope in Venus, the brightest orb in the heavens. Faced with mankind’s transience, the speaker will not call it optimism, however, but acceptance, a cold comfort, a kind of peace nonetheless.
The Same Venus - Fred Lape The delicate amethyst of twilight lies over the sea. A red cloud fades. There in the green blue sky you shine, Venus, a lighthouse for the earth. The same light I remember as a boy camped at the edge of a damp wood, foxfire in the decaying logs behind me, your purer light on my forehead, or later on a snowy winter night at lambing time coming from the barn, or again after the death of a friend, light of a cold planet, without comfort. Now in the twilight of my own life at peace as the day is at peace I watch you sink in the west. So you pass through all our lives from birth to death, you once over the ape man in Africa, you over the space man of the future, over love over hate over blood over decay, illuminating the evenings of our days. The meeting is adjourned. |
Your membership dollars are critical to our economic viability and the sustainability of our collections, grounds, and educational programs. You can help by joining or renewing your membership. Consider renewing at a higher level. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to do so as well. Give the gift of membership to the beautiful Landis Arboretum! Click here to join online using PayPal, or here to download a membership form to complete and return by mail to Landis Arboretum, PO Box 186, Esperance, New York 12066.
Our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies
We have good friends in the community that help the Arboretum in a number of ways.
Please consider patronizing our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies!
We have good friends in the community that help the Arboretum in a number of ways.
Please consider patronizing our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies!
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THE LANDIS ARBORETUM NEWSLETTER is published quarterly for its members.
The Arboretum’s mission is to foster the appreciation of trees and other plants and their importance in our environment.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Fred Breglia; Erin McKenna Breglia; Gail Browning; Chandra Burkhart; Wilma Jozwiak; Lee Lattimer; Morgan McClary; Nolan Marciniec and Louise Polli, Co-Chairpersons
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Erin McKenna Breglia, Fred Breglia, Gail Browning, Anne Donnelly, Wilma Jozwiak, Fred Lape, Lee Lattimer, Morgan McClary, Nolan Marciniec, Louise Polli, and Anita Sanchez
NEWSLETTER WEBSITE MANAGER
Wilma Jozwiak
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jim Paley, President; Wilma Jozwiak, Vice President; Nolan Marciniec, Secretary; Carolyn Edwards, Treasurer; Louise Polli, At Large; Chandra Burkhart; Karl Gustafson; Amy Howansky; Ed Radle; George Steele; Sue Tricario; and Earl Van Wormer
ARBORETUM STAFF
Fred Breglia, Executive Director; Lee Lattimer, Office Manager; Erin McKenna Breglia, Landis Gardener; Russell Glass, Groundskeeper
We value your input. Please address correspondence to:
Newsletter Editor, Landis Arboretum, P.O. Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066.
Website: www.landisarboretum.org
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