Chair's Corner...

By John Kalal, Treasurer

FOTA Executive Committee   

With the temperatures soaring above 100 degrees the last few weeks it is hard to believe that the 2011 Holiday Luminary Walk is just three months away. The Luminary team is busy preparing the festivities for the Arboretum's big winter event. I use the term "big" because the Arboretum hosted more than 10,000 visitors at the 2010 Luminary Walk!The Luminary Committee reports that the path will be expanded to include Margie's Garden and the Train Garden areas, providing even more beautifully illuminated walkways.

This year's event will take place on November 25 and 26 as well as December 2 and 3. The Luminary Walk is timed perfectly with the Thanksgiving Holiday to attract families that are ready to venture out into the chill to experience a one-of-a-kind candle-lit extravaganza. The Luminary Walk is a tradition in our home, as I know it is in many of yours. Guests come from all across Kansas and Missouri to stroll through the snow-lined garden paths that are hand-lit with more than 12,000 candles during the four nights of the event.

Enjoy the rest of the summer, but remember that the Arboretum boasts a unique beauty in the winter. Get ready to light those candles!

For complete class descriptions and to register for classes, go to opabg.org. Bring your paid receipt to class for admission. No refunds for missed classes. For further information or to register the traditional way, contact Phyllis Merrick, Volunteer Coordinator, at 913-685-3604 or email

volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org

New Volunteer Orientation
Saturday, August 20th, 9:00 to 11:00 am

Consider spending part of your leisure time volunteering at Overland Park's 300-acre Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. This hidden jewel is a great place for people to get back in touch with nature, admire the beauty of numerous flower and water gardens, and become part of a wonderful volunteer experience. Find out about volunteer opportunities such as gardening, greeting, prairie restoration, greenhouse operations, weddings, photography, birds, special events and plant sales. Free-the only requirement is 30 hours per year of volunteer time.

T'ai Chi Chih at the Arboretum-Tuesdays
August 23, 30, and
September 6, 13, 20 & 27
Class time 10:00 am to 11:30 am
$48 for six classes

T'ai Chi Chih is Joy thru Movement! It is known as a Moving Meditation: practicing it leaves you with a sense of energy, peace and wholeness. Combining T'ai Chi Chih with the natural beauty of the Arboretum will allow you to feel more connected to the earth, to your own essence, and to others around you. These outdoor classes at the water's edge (inside if it rains) will give you the chance to experience the purity and joy of nature through the calming movements of T'ai Chi Chih.

Geocaching Tour (Free)

Saturday, Sept 10, 10 to 11 am

Class is limited to 10 adults  

Come learn about geocaching, a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure-seekers equipped with handheld global positioning system (GPS) devices.

Herbs I Cannot Eat or Bathe In

Wed., Sept. 21, 10 am to 1 pm

$25 per person

Class limited to 30

Explore the many uses of herbs you can't eat, drink or use on your skin, with herb expert Lenora Wuattoux.

Bird Walk (Free) 

Learn, Listen & Identify the Birds

Saturday, Sept. 24, 8 am

Limited to 10 adults

Bird specialists take you on a walk through the Arboretum and share their knowledge of our feathered friends.