Inside this issue . . . Click on the title below to read the entire article, or scroll down to sample the issue.
Scroll down to view our Business Members, Sponsors, and Allies From the Garden:
Keep Pests Away the Chemical Free Way! - Erin Breglia, Garden Manager It is a gift to be able to rearrange nature when creating beautiful landscapes or raising plants to suit our needs. But we must remember that what we create is not necessarily what nature intended. Unwanted bugs and animals, what we call “pests”, are simply nature at work. Therefore, we must be responsible gardeners and try to control these nuisances with as few chemicals as possible. [Read more] |
From the Director's Desk:
Trails at Landis Fred Breglia, Executive Director Many people love Landis for its collections, classes, and events, but it is never too late to appreciate its many hiking opportunities too. Landis has 10 distinct trails on its property, each highlighting a different facet of the Arboretum. The first trail you see upon arrival at the main (lower) parking lot is the Lape Trail. This trail is fondly named after Landis’ founder Fred Lape and takes you through the collections of beech, willow, conifer, maple, oak, lilac, and crabapple. Each specimen is labeled, and additional signage highlights insightful facts about the plants and habitat. One can easily spend a few hours leisurely walking the Lape Trail, enjoying the many views and immersing oneself in nature. While on the trail, wander into the unique “Choice Conifer” and Pinetum sections, which include several original Lape plantings, as well as the fenced Rhododendron Collection. These areas are spectacular for viewing the less common plants available in today’s horticultural industry. Many were planted by Lape in the 1950’s. [Read more] |
Click poster for more information.
Award-winning Author at Landis: Lessons from Sweetgrass
The author of the award-winning book, "Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants," introduces us to the wealth of culturally significant plants in the Adirondack region. She will explore the philosophy and practices of indigenous stewardship, which creates and maintains biodiversity. The lessons of traditional ecological knowledge continue to be a source of guidance for renewing a respectful relationship with the natural world.
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The Arboretum’s Dragonfly Lady* Introduces Robin Kimmerer, The Moss Lady** - Anne Donnelly
I'm thrilled and honored that Robin Kimmerer is speaking at the Arboretum this August! When I read her remarkable book, “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants,” I felt an immediate kinship. Her book is the one I wish I could have written! It is honest, eloquent, knowledgeable, compelling, thought-provoking, and entrancing. It weaves history and Native American folktales and culture with stories with science and philosophy. I loved it and shared it widely -- and have given more than several copies as gifts. [Read more] * Anne Donnelly leads the Arboretum’s very popular “Dragonflies and Damselflies” workshop. |
Speaker: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Location: The Meeting House
Saturday, August 19, 3 PM
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Registration is encouraged as space is limited. We encourage you to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Johnstown Council of Churches Food Pantry.
Location: The Meeting House
Saturday, August 19, 3 PM
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Registration is encouraged as space is limited. We encourage you to bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Johnstown Council of Churches Food Pantry.
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, plant ecologist, writer, and SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY. She also serves as the founding director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.
Save the Date!
We love our volunteers and sponsors! Please join us on October 1, Sunday, from 1 to 3 pm in the Meeting House for good food, good music (Mark Baptiste will perform again!) and good conversations with some of the best people around.
We love our volunteers and sponsors! Please join us on October 1, Sunday, from 1 to 3 pm in the Meeting House for good food, good music (Mark Baptiste will perform again!) and good conversations with some of the best people around.
LANDIS PORTRAITS: A Series About the People Behind the Plants at the Arboretum
- Nolan Marciniec |
LANDIS PORTRAITS: A Series About the People Behind the Plants at the Arboretum
- Nolan Marciniec |
Stephen Cushing was driving to classes at SUNY Oneonta when he noticed the sign for the Landis Arboretum. Something clicked: he was looking for a place for a summer internship. Could Landis be a possibility? And it was: Stephen will be working at the Arboretum throughout the summer!
After a productive meeting with Executive Director Fred Breglia, Stephen started his internship during the week of the Spring Plant Sale. He was most impressed by the “army of volunteers” and the “community spirit” he found. Most of all, he loved the “welcoming atmosphere.” Stephen quickly noted that all levels of ability and knowledge, from the formidable expertise of Ed Miller, curator of the Native Plant Trail, to the dedicated efforts of the amateur gardener, were accommodated in making that event a success. [Read more] Catching Up with the Boys of Landis
- Louise Polli The Arboretum’s Boy Scout Troop 501 is alive and well and thriving -- at a time when other nearby troops have ceased operation. Scoutmaster Chuck Whitman attributes the troop’s success to “a core of dedicated leaders . . . who as adults get along very well together” and encourage the participation of parents and siblings. This “family-oriented troop” even includes Chuck and Lisa Whitman’s son Chris, who has returned as a young adult to serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster, mentoring the boys as others did before him. [Read more] View from the Meeting House Deck: A Herbalist’s Perspective - Barbara Neznek
Once we were all connected. It was late spring the first time I looked out over the Schoharie Valley from the Meeting House deck. There were, as Johnny Cash sang about Ireland, 40 shades of green. That the colors and flora are so similar is not surprising. Two hundred and fifty million years ago most of the continents were joined together. When the land mass parted, what had been connected to North America eventually became the British Isles and Ireland. The same blue stone that is found in New York’s Catskill Mountains composes the Standing Stones known as Stonehenge. [Read more] |
“I’ve run many marathons in many places. I ran a marathon through the Black Forest in Germany. But there’s just something about [running at] the Arboretum. It’s a great place to run,” Dave Roy said.
Dave developed a passion for running early. While attending Cornell, he was asked to fill in on a cross country team, even though he was a soccer player by preference. After a successful season, he was encouraged to pursue running – and did. He ran his first marathon in 1976. Dave is one of the original members of the S’cary Leg Runners, whose mission is to develop a running community in Schoharie Country. Dave has passed on his love of the sport to his children. This spring he plans to run the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH, with his daughter Lori. Dave, Lori, and his son Stephen will all run the Hambletonian Marathon in New York’s Hudson Valley this fall. On Dave’s bucket list is the Humboldt Marathon through the Giant Redwoods of California. [Read more] Esperance Historical Museum Educates and Inspires - Lee Lattimer
There was a time when if you needed butter, you milked the family cow and churned it yourself. Clothing was made from sheep’s wool, spun on a wheel and woven or knitted. Light came from kerosene lamps. While it may be difficult to imagine such a life, there are places that keep that past alive. One such place is the Esperance Historical Museum, a treasure trove of artifacts, information, and memories. It opened in 1970 with Fred Lape, founder of the Landis Arboretum, as its first curator. Many individuals have since contributed time and effort in its planning and construction, including Ed Fuse and artist Gus LaMonica. The current president (since 1978) is Ken Jones, a very knowledgeable man with an encyclopedic memory. The museum consists mainly of three buildings, the schoolhouse, the chapel, and the carriage barn. [Read more] Landisaurus Roams the Arboretum
Several years ago, auto mechanic Richard Rivers looked at a bunch of leftover auto parts and saw a dinosaur. After spending two decades gracing Duanesburg Auto Care, the Landisaurus was donated to the Arboretum, and following some corrective surgery by Landis friend John Scrima, including replacement of some vertebrae and other important parts, the Landisaurus now lurks by the pond behind the Barn. Please visit him - he's friendly! |
A Tangled Tale: From the Capital Region Audubon Society - John Loz
In our Winter Newsletter, we introduced you to a budding relationship between the Landis Arboretum and the Audubon Society of the Capital Region. In this article, Audubon programs chair and past president John Loz shares a story with a local twist that illustrates just one example of the vital work his organization performs in conservation and stewardship. We are proud to partner with Audubon and bring you more information on our mutual areas of interest, as two birds of a feather . . . . - Louise Polli
When most people think of the Audubon Society, they no doubt think about looking for birds and keeping lists and perhaps putting out nesting boxes. The society’s members do just that, of course, but they also engage in any number of conservation efforts, ranging from invasive plant species removal from bird habitats to advocating for proper fishing line disposal.
On one memorable occasion, Linda Brown, a wildlife rehabilitator, was alerted to a raptor tangled in a tree in the Town of Esperance. “We arrived at the Sloansville Boat Launch, and it was quite evident that there was a young juvenile owl, swinging in the breeze, ensnared in a tree by a fishing line,” she reported. “From the outset, we knew that this would be a difficult to impossible rescue. The tree hung out over the rapidly moving Cripplebush Creek by at least 20 feet . . . . .” [Read more]
On one memorable occasion, Linda Brown, a wildlife rehabilitator, was alerted to a raptor tangled in a tree in the Town of Esperance. “We arrived at the Sloansville Boat Launch, and it was quite evident that there was a young juvenile owl, swinging in the breeze, ensnared in a tree by a fishing line,” she reported. “From the outset, we knew that this would be a difficult to impossible rescue. The tree hung out over the rapidly moving Cripplebush Creek by at least 20 feet . . . . .” [Read more]
We Appreciate: KeyBank
On May 25, as part of an annual “Neighbors Make a Difference Day,” a KeyBank team worked on landscaping at the Meeting House and weeding the peony garden. One team member said, “It was a great day yesterday. We’re a little sore today, but I am grateful we got to volunteer at such a worthwhile organization on such a beautiful day!”
The team included John Adair, Kimber Adamchick, Karen Blackwood, Chanell, Clare Echevarria, Johnna Fritzen, Neal Goodyear, Breanne Hayes, Judith Kaplowitz, Greg Kettell, Rebecca Sweet, Esther Thornton, and Karie Zierak.
On May 25, as part of an annual “Neighbors Make a Difference Day,” a KeyBank team worked on landscaping at the Meeting House and weeding the peony garden. One team member said, “It was a great day yesterday. We’re a little sore today, but I am grateful we got to volunteer at such a worthwhile organization on such a beautiful day!”
The team included John Adair, Kimber Adamchick, Karen Blackwood, Chanell, Clare Echevarria, Johnna Fritzen, Neal Goodyear, Breanne Hayes, Judith Kaplowitz, Greg Kettell, Rebecca Sweet, Esther Thornton, and Karie Zierak.
Summer Squash Casserole - Gail Browning
It’s coming soon -- that time of year when the garden produces more summer squash and tomatoes than you ever imagined. Here’s a simple recipe that even the zucchini haters will love – and it makes a great pot-luck dish as well.
It’s coming soon -- that time of year when the garden produces more summer squash and tomatoes than you ever imagined. Here’s a simple recipe that even the zucchini haters will love – and it makes a great pot-luck dish as well.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Thinly slice 1 zucchini squash and 1 yellow summer squash. Dice 2 tomatoes and 1 medium Vidalia onion.
- In a 2-1/2 quart buttered casserole dish, alternately layer sliced squash and diced tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle Italian-style bread crumbs and shredded sharp cheese on top. Layer again squash, tomatoes, onions, bread crumbs, and shredded cheese.
- Bake covered for 45 minutes, then uncover for another 10 minutes to slightly brown cheese on top. Serves 8.
The Dirt: Behind the Scenes at Landis - Wendy Kass
It takes many helping hands to make things happen at the Arboretum. Here’s the latest “dirt” on some of what’s happening:
Communications Committee
The committee brainstormed for the summer issue of the newsletter and conducted other business. The morning ended with a light lunch, with contributions by members, another of Nolan’s great soups, and Anne's amazing whiskey cake. The committee meets again in July – hopefully followed by a picnic lunch on the deck! [Read more]
Communications Committee
The committee brainstormed for the summer issue of the newsletter and conducted other business. The morning ended with a light lunch, with contributions by members, another of Nolan’s great soups, and Anne's amazing whiskey cake. The committee meets again in July – hopefully followed by a picnic lunch on the deck! [Read more]
This is the second in an occasional series of notices that express our gratitude to some of the “unsung heroes” who work behind the scenes to make the Arboretum what it is today.
Anne Jaster’s Botanical Drawings: A Retrospective - Wilma Jozwiak
Anne Jaster’s home sits between two nature preserves, providing a forever-wild backdrop on which she and companion Rob Helffrich have created a beautiful canvas of trees and flowers. Anne’s knowledge of plants and her sparkling personality make her a treasure for those of us who know here at the Arboretum, but it is her botanical drawings that fascinate and charm me.
Anne came to the Arboretum the way many of us have, at the suggestion of a friend. Soon she was volunteering, helping to clear weeds and reclaim garden spots. She was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees, and when then-Board president Elizabeth “Betty” Corning unexpectedly passed away, Anne took on the role, leading the Arboretum through a financially difficult time. Her service to the Arboretum is indisputable, Please join me for a retrospective of Anne’s Arboretum drawings.
Anne Jaster’s home sits between two nature preserves, providing a forever-wild backdrop on which she and companion Rob Helffrich have created a beautiful canvas of trees and flowers. Anne’s knowledge of plants and her sparkling personality make her a treasure for those of us who know here at the Arboretum, but it is her botanical drawings that fascinate and charm me.
Anne came to the Arboretum the way many of us have, at the suggestion of a friend. Soon she was volunteering, helping to clear weeds and reclaim garden spots. She was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees, and when then-Board president Elizabeth “Betty” Corning unexpectedly passed away, Anne took on the role, leading the Arboretum through a financially difficult time. Her service to the Arboretum is indisputable, Please join me for a retrospective of Anne’s Arboretum drawings.
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Not Yet a Member of the Arboretum?
We invite you to consider joining us. You will be doing your part in ensuring the continued existence of the George Landis Arboretum, hidden gem of the Schoharie Valley. For more information, visit our website, call us at 518-875-6935, or email us at [email protected].
We invite you to consider joining us. You will be doing your part in ensuring the continued existence of the George Landis Arboretum, hidden gem of the Schoharie Valley. For more information, visit our website, call us at 518-875-6935, or email us at [email protected].
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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!
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 Breglia; Gail Browning; Wilma Jozwiak; Lee Lattimer; Nolan Marciniec, chair; and Louise Polli
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Erin Breglia, Fred Breglia, Gail Browning, Anne Donnelly; Anne Jaster; Wilma Jozwiak, Wendy Kass, Lee Lattimer, John Loz; Nolan Marciniec, Barbara Neznek; Louise Polli, and Anita Sanchez
NEWSLETTER WEBSITE MANAGER
Wilma Jozwiak
PRINTER
Miller Printing and Litho, Amsterdam, NY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jim Paley, President; Wilma Jozwiak, Vice President; Nolan Marciniec, Secretary; Carolyn Edwards, Treasurer; Louise Polli, At Large; Ann Bevins; Karl Gufstason; Lee Lattimer; Jeanne Post-Sourmail; Ed Radle; ; Jeff Schworm; and Earl VanWormer
ARBORETUM STAFF
Fred Breglia, Executive Director; Nancy Stuebner, Office Manager; Erin Breglia, Garden Manager; Corey Haynes & Eric Roberts, Groundskeepers; Steven Cushing, Intern
We value your input. Please address correspondence to:
Newsletter Editor, Landis Arboretum, P.O. Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066.
Phone: 518-875-6935, Fax: 518-875-6394
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 Breglia; Gail Browning; Wilma Jozwiak; Lee Lattimer; Nolan Marciniec, chair; and Louise Polli
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Erin Breglia, Fred Breglia, Gail Browning, Anne Donnelly; Anne Jaster; Wilma Jozwiak, Wendy Kass, Lee Lattimer, John Loz; Nolan Marciniec, Barbara Neznek; Louise Polli, and Anita Sanchez
NEWSLETTER WEBSITE MANAGER
Wilma Jozwiak
PRINTER
Miller Printing and Litho, Amsterdam, NY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jim Paley, President; Wilma Jozwiak, Vice President; Nolan Marciniec, Secretary; Carolyn Edwards, Treasurer; Louise Polli, At Large; Ann Bevins; Karl Gufstason; Lee Lattimer; Jeanne Post-Sourmail; Ed Radle; ; Jeff Schworm; and Earl VanWormer
ARBORETUM STAFF
Fred Breglia, Executive Director; Nancy Stuebner, Office Manager; Erin Breglia, Garden Manager; Corey Haynes & Eric Roberts, Groundskeepers; Steven Cushing, Intern
We value your input. Please address correspondence to:
Newsletter Editor, Landis Arboretum, P.O. Box 186, Esperance, NY 12066.
Phone: 518-875-6935, Fax: 518-875-6394