Chair's Corner...
By Teri Shields
 Aboretum classes have been very well attended this spring, so sign up soon, as some classes are limited in size.
Classes are held in the Visitors Center. Proceeds go to support various Friends of the Arboretum projects. There is a 10% discount on class fees for FOTA members. Cash or checks only, and reservations are required.
To confirm reservations, contact Phyllis Merrick at 913-685-3604 or
volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org
Download a PDF of the complete class scheduleand Celebrate Spring!Enjoy a class at yourArboretum!
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Children's Birthday Parties
Friends
of the Arboretum is offering 2-hour birthday parties beginning May 1st.
Themed/Outdoor Birthday Parties are offered for children ages 5-10 on
Saturdays May through October. Up to 12 children per party.
Parties
are $180 with an optional refreshment package consisting of cupcakes,
juice boxes and ice cream cups. Select from the following themes: (1) "La Tea Da"-- enchanted tea party, (2) "Lets Get Bugged"-- nature party, (3) "Happy Camper"-- authentic camping party or (4) "All Aboard"-- train themed party.
Book your child's party now!
Or contact the Friends of the Arboretum Coordinator at 816-820-7499 for more info.
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FOTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Teri Shields, Chair
Jim Holland, Vice Chair
Kathy Alspaugh, Secretary
John Kalal, Treasurer
Larry Engelkemier
Stacey Gilman
Margaret Maher-Williams
Andrew Smith
Lenora Wuattoux
Georgia Erickson & Russell Simmons, ARFOP Liaisons
Karen Haake, Past Chair
FOTA ADMINISTRATOR
Suzie Swyden
fotacoordinator@yahoo.com
FOTA VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS
Arts for Kids, Stacey Gilman &
Stephanie Battison
Bird Committee, Sue Davidson
Bird Feeders, Bob Buehler
Celebrate Spring, Karen McNerney & Judy Moser
Eagle Scouts, Hugh McCreery
Fit To Be Tied, Kari Wood & Karen Haake
Garden Shows, Karen Haake
Geo Activities, Charlie Loftus
Golf Tournament, Margaret Maher-Williams & Carol Martin Tracey
Greeters, Phyllis Merrick
Luminary Walk, Margaret Kalal
Membership, Suzie Swyden
Music Series, Russell Simmons & Suzie Swyden
Photography, Margaret Maher-Williams
Plant Sale, Phyllis Merrick & Don Tetzlaff
Prairie Restoration, Chuck Garrett
Safety, Don Tetzlaff
Tours, Cathy Lovetere
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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 Spring
Plant
Sale
The twelfth annual Spring Plant Sale will be held May 6, 7 and 8. The sale opens with a members-only preview sale on Thursday evening from 4 to 7. Members can choose the best of the best plants, and receive a 10% discount. The sale is open to the public on Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, from 9 to 5. Non-members can join FOTAat any time and receive the 10% discount. Photo by Bob Fowler
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Celebrate Spring!
Order spring bulbs now through June 15
 Order your spring bulbs now for fall delivery.
Local deer have snacked on our tulip displays this year, but they left the other bulbs alone.
Order onlineby credit card, or pick up a Celebrate Spring!order form in the visitors center and order by check. With sixteen "staff's favorite" varieties of hyacinths, narcissus, tulips and alliums (pictured) to choose from, you can make your early spring garden the best ever in 2011. Photo by David Shackleford
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 May is almost here! Are you ready? Grab your hand-held GPS and come on out to the Arboretum to play our high-tech treasure hunting game called GeoArboretum. For only $5, you can buy a 2010 Passport with coordinates to the geocaches found in each of the Arboretum's eight ecosystems. Stamp your Passport at each geocache and take a bookmark that describes that ecosystem. Also watch for our geocaching classes beginning May 17.
We are very grateful to Garmin for their donation of eight GPS devices, which will be used in geocaching classes and tours. |
STEMS--A Blooming Good Time
This year's Stems: A Garden Soiree will be held on June 26, 6-10 pm. Guests will be met with a hand-painted wine glass (yours to keep) full of red or white wine and the party begins. (Beer and soft drinks are around the corner.) On to sample foods from 20 of our area's finest restaurants and caterers, listen to jazz and rock music, pose for character artists, adorn yourself with balloon-wear, find a great buy at the silent auction, and take home a beautiful painting of the Arboreum and/or Farmstead.
General admission tickets are $85. Patron tickets are $250 and include a Reidel Wine Tasting Patron's party on June 8th.
Visit STEMS onlineor call 913-322-6467 for more information. |
MASTER GARDENERS TOUR
Kansas City's premier garden tour returns on May 21 and 22, courtesy of the Johnson County Kansas State University Research and Extension Master Gardeners. The tour runs from 9 to 5 each day, and features six gardens, all designed and maintained by private owners who are Extension Master Gardeners.
 Tickets for this event are available through the Johnson County Extension office in Olathe. Starting May 1 tickets may also be purchased at all Johnson County Hen House Markets. Maps and directions are provided with each ticket. Ticket are $10 each prior to May 1 and $12 after that date. For more information about this fun and rewarding experience call (913) 715-7000.
For a tour preview, take a virtual tour online.
Photo by David Shackleford |
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
APRIL
23 Woodland Wildflower Walk, 9-11 am
24 Learn, Listen & Identify the Birds,
7-9 am
Woodland Wildflower Class & Walk,
9-noon*
27 Woodland Wildflower Walk, 9-11 am
28 Aromatherapy: Fragrance, Calm,
Beauty & Health, 10-1 pm*
MAY
1 Faerie Terrariums, 10-11:30 am*
6 Spring Plant Sale Members-Only Preview, 4-7 pm
7 & 8 Spring Plant Sale Open to the Public, 9-5 pm
Herbs with Lenora at the Spring Plant Sale, 12:30-1:30 pm
* There is a fee for these events/classes. Friends of the Arboretum receive a 10% discount on educational programs.
Learn more about upcoming events at the Arboretum website.
Photo by Jeff Camden
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