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Chair's Corner... 
By Karen Haake
Thank you to all our readers for the wonderful comments about the improved newsletter. We are pleased that you liked the format, enjoyed the colorful photos and most importantly, feel connected to the Arboretum. Our goal is to make the newsletter a quick, easy read, filled with information so you can take advantage of all the classes, activities and volunteer opportunities. Please pass this newsletter along to your friends and family, so that they too can learn more about the Arboretum.
Another way to learn more about what we are doing is to stop by the Arboretum's booth at the Johnson County Home & Garden Show, February 27, 28 and March 1. View our latest colorful botanical photos and visit with our volunteers. They will be delighted to share plans about the future Train Garden and the new Iris Garden under construction.
The native plants will be back at this year's May plant sale, so be sure to get a list of all the annuals and perennials we will be selling. Start making your list now for a colorful garden this summer.
Let me also encourage you to come take a walk, explore the Arboretum, see the changes and watch us grow.
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Welcome New
FOTA Members
November 2008 - January 2009
Individual
Susan Cardenas
Karen Finstad
Christine Kessler
Bette Stockdale
Suzie Swyden
Pamela Wagner
Family
Chris Ann and Michael Carnelia
Eric Cole
Donna Dehn
Katherine and George Eisele
Jean and Walter Hiersteiner
Rita and Peter Lindig
Sally Swanson & Dick Mellinger
Trish and Bob Reed
Joan and Henry Rife
Julie and Hoyt Wood
Patron
Kenneth Due
Anne and Michael Jacobs
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FOTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Karen Haake, Chair
Teri Shields, Vice Chair
Kathy Alspaugh, Secretary
Larry Engelkemier, Treasurer
Barbara Brand
John Kalal
Stacey Gilman
Dick Cromwell
Shannon Corley & Nancy Yates,
ARFOP Liaisons to the Board
FOTA ADMINISTRATOR
Suzie Swyden
fotacoordinator@yahoo.com
FOTA VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS
Arts for Kids, Stacey Gilman & Gail Keller
Bird Committee, Sue Davidson
Bird Feeders, Bob Buehler
Eagle Scout Projects, Hugh McCreery
Garden Shows, Karen Haake
Greenhouse, Ken O'Dell
Greeters, Phyllis Merrick
Holiday Luminary Walk, Margaret Kalal
Membership, Barbara Brand
Photography, Carol Fowler
Plant Sale, Phyllis Merrick & Don Tetzlaff
Prairie Restoration, Chuck Garrett
Safety, Don Tetzlaff
Volunteer Tour Guides, Karin Winn
Weddings, Phyllis Merrick
FOTA eNEWSLETTER
Judy Moser, Editor
judy@springvalleynursery.com
ARBORETUM STAFF
Karen Kerkhoff, Supervisor
Kerry Williams, Horticulturist
Dianna Mahaney, Park Attendant
Jon Beuthin, Park Attendant
Phyllis Merrick & Cathy Lovetere,
Volunteer Coordinators
For additional information, call
the Arboretum 913-685-3604
Website: www.opabg.org
To rent an area of the Environmental
Education and Visitors Center,
Pavilion or Garden Areas, call
Leisure Services at 913-895-6390
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Fabulous Classes You Will Want To Attend
Let's Talk Herbs & Herb Gardening
Wednesday, March 11, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
You will learn what herbs are, how they work and where to plant them. This will include theory, practical use, folklore and science. Class fee $20 per person.
Adapting the Monet Concept to Your Garden
Wednesday, March 18, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Learn how to adapt the Monet concept of plants, themes and colors to your personal gardens with tips from the Master Gardeners who create and maintain the Monet Garden at the Arboretum. Class fee $10 per person (includes notes, a list of plants and bulbs in the garden).
The Spectacular Iris,
 Saturday, March 21
10:00 am to 11:30 am, in the Iris Test Garden
Debbie Hughes will present a slide show of what to look for in an exceptional iris. Debbie is an accredited iris garden and exhibition judge. Class fee $10 per person.
Learn, Listen & Identify the Birds
Saturday, March 28, 8:00 am.
Adults only. Free, space limited.
Climate Changes and Bird Declines
Saturday, March 28, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
This class will discuss how populations of common birds are plummeting nationwide as climate changes occur. Learn from Jill DeWitt (President of the Burrough Audubon Society of Greater KC) what's happening in Kansas and Missouri and what we can do to reverse this trend. Class fee $10 per person.
Basic Flower Photography
Saturday, April 4, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Local photographer and photo committee chair Carol Fowler and fellow FOTA photography committee members will bring years of photography experience to this class on the basics of flower photography. Class fee $10 per person.
 Woodland Wildflower Walk
Friday, April 17, 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Join wildflower experts Lynda Ochs and Ken O'Dell as they take you on a walk through the woodlands at the Arboretum to see the vast selection of native wildflowers in bloom. Free, space limited.
 Basic Herb Identification
Wednesday, April 22nd, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Identification and use of five herbs. This will include theory, practical use, folklore and science. Class fee $20 per person.
Learn, Listen & Identify the Birds
Saturday, April 25, 8:00 am
Bird Walks for families with children will begin at 10:30 am
Attract and Keep Hummingbirds All Summer
Saturday, April 25, 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
Learn about Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds and how to attract them to your yard this summer. Class will discuss Hummingbird behavior, migration, nesting, breeding, eating habits and more. Class fee $10 per person.
Reservations are required. Contact Phyllis Merrick at 913-685-3604 or at volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org. 10% discount for FOTA members. Download and print the complete 2009 Class Schedule.
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Do you like to Garden? 
If you would like to learn more about the Arboretum's gardening program or, better yet, sign up to help, please contact Phyllis Merrick, Volunteer Coordinator, at 913-685-3604, or by email to:
volunteercoordinator@
opkansas.org.
The Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is looking for volunteer gardeners to work in our gardens beginning in late March or early April (depending on when the weather cooperates). Our gardening program is unique and enables our volunteers to spend a few hours weekly creating a vision for others while enjoying their surroundings and teammates. Gardeners may select from Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to join our gardening crews. They work in specific gardens with a staff team leader. We supply the gloves and shirt (to keep) and all the instructions, tools, buckets and fun! The program runs from the end of March through October. Gardeners learn to prepare beds, plant, weed, deadhead and mulch. While many gardeners come each week, we provide flexibility depending upon your schedule.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND CLASSES:
FEBRUARY
21 Understanding Spring Bird Feeding 10-11:30*
27-28 Johnson Co. Lawn & Garden Show
MARCH
1 Johnson Co. Lawn & Garden Show
7 New Volunteer Orientation 9-11
11 Let's Talk Herbs 10-1*
18 Adapting the Monet Concept to Your Garden 10-11:30*
21 The Spectacular Iris 10-11:30*
28 Bird Walk 8 am
28 Climate Change & Bird Decline 10-11:30*
APRIL
4 Beginning Flower Photography 10-12*
17 Woodland Wildflower Walk 9-11
22 Basic Herb Identification 10-1*
25 Bird Walk 8 am
25 Attract & Keep Hummingbirds All Summer 12:30-2*
* There is a fee for these events/classes
Learn more about upcoming events at the Arboretum website.
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Meet Stacey Gilman
Stacey Gilman and her family have been enjoying the Arboretum since 2003 when they moved to Kansas City from Los Angeles. Stacey is a partner in the law firm, Berkowitz, Oliver, Williams, Shaw and Eisenbrandt LLP, specializing in commercial litigation.
Stacey not only brings her law degree skills to the board but new perspective. Being a young mother she offers a  view from a new generation of volunteers who want to participate and enjoy the Arboretum. In the past, Stacey has attended Arts for Kids with her husband, Mont, and two children, but this year she will be serving as one of the co-chairs for this community awareness event.
When asked why she agreed to join the FOTA board, Stacy replied, "The Arboretum is a tremendous resource to have nearby and my family and I always have a wonderful time together there. I wanted to become involved in the community, and the Arboretum is the place where I wanted to volunteer."
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Save
10%
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Friends of the Arboretum (FOTA) members receive a 10% discount on class fees, plant sale purchases, and FOTA merchandise, along with invitations to special Friends events and other benefits of membership.
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