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Chair's Corner...
By Dennis Patton
Executive Committee Chair
 Greetings from the Arboretum.
It has been a very long, hot, dry summer. I know many of us have felt like we have been held captive in our homes for most of the summer, not venturing out much into the heat. But at least summer is on the downhill side now, as we head into late August. Turning our attention to fall and September, there are a number of exciting events and activities mentioned in this newsletter that should be of interest to you, your family and friends.
Arts for Kids is making its annual appearance. This is a great event for young and old alike. Come out and enjoy the merriment of crafts, music and more.
The Overland Park Council Presidents Golf Tournament will be held. This is a fun golfing event. Check out the link and get your partners together for a golf outing with the proceeds helping to fund the Arboretum
BioBlitz 2012 is a new event on the books for September. Dan Johnson is leading this new event that is centered on nature and the environment. Registration is now open. Many of the featured speakers are noted authors and regional experts -- what a group of presenters at these sessions! I will be a session leader, but compared to some of the speaker's résumés I wish I could be in the audience. This day-long BioBlitz is sure to please, and everyone will leave with a little more knowledge of the plants, animals and nature all around them.
Lastly, thanks to all the warriors at the Arboretum this summer. Dedicated staff and volunteers work hard during the heat and drought to keep the grounds looking great for visitors and all to enjoy.
Long-time staff member Dianna Mahaney works like the Energizer Bunny, in spite of this summer's unprecedented heat.
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 Train Garden News...
The Arboretum Show Home was a hit! While it was hot outside, visitors enjoyed the cool (in all ways) Show Home built by Jeff Ashner and decorated by Janet Alholm. We raised $11,676 to help fund Phase III of the Train Garden. A special thanks to Rockwood Falls developers Mark Simpson and Saul Ellis, and to home owners Shannon and Russell Davis.
Thanks to an additional gift from the Friends of the Arboretum, the Train Depot (Phase II) will be fully funded. The Depot will function as a shelter house and meeting place for visitors. The goal is to have the it completed in time for the Luminary Walk.
Now our fundraising efforts are focused on Phase III, Old Town. There is still $5,965 left to match on our matching grant, so double your money and make a gift now. We're waiting to hear about a $50,000 grant from the Johnson County Heritage Trust Fund for Phase III, a garden scale replica of Old Town Overland Park.
Volunteers who are interested in working in the Train Garden may email Phyllis Merrick or call 913-685-3604 to volunteer. |
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FOTA Chair Dennis Patton:
Dennis.Patton@jocogov.org
Volunteer Coordinator Phyllis Merrick:
VolunteerCoordinator@opkansas.org
FOTA Coordinator Suzie Swyden:
fotacoordinator@yahoo.com
Send photos and news to:
judy@springvalleynursery.com
Commemorative Gift and
Donation opportunities can be accessed online. If you are interested in the Friends of the Arboretum "Planned Giving" program, please contact Teresa Stohs.
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Don't Miss ARTS for KIDS Sept. 29-30!
The annual Arts for Kids event (for kids 2-12) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30, from 11 to 4 in the Children's Garden. Kids, parents and grandparents will enjoy all kinds of activities together, including nature crafts, hay rides, treasure hunts, audience-participation puppet theater, dance performances and face painting. The Overland Park Orchestra and the Heartland Ringers Handbell Choir will perform on Sunday. Native American flute player Terry Whetstone will perform both days.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will lead a special project on Sunday. Concessions will be available. Admission is $6 per person, children under 2 free. Visit the new Train Garden while you're enjoying a truly fun day in the Arboretum with the kids!
For more information visit www.opabg.org. Tickets may be purchased at the door or ordered online -- click here.
Photos by Carol Fowler (top) and Dave Shackelford (below).
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New BioBlitz Event Kicks off on Sept. 29
Join scientists and nature lovers alike on September 29 to celebrate the diversity of life during the Arboretum's brand new event, the 2012 BioBlitz.
 Plans are under way for this very special nature event for adults and children 13 and older. Register online for an intensive one-day study of biodiversity.
Participants will spend a fascinating day with a dozen experts in each field, identifying birds, insects, flowers, reptiles, trees, spiders and much more.
For more information contact Event Chair Dan Johnson at gdj102356@hotmail.com.
More information can also be found at www.opabg.org.
To register online for the BioBlitz, Click Here.
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September 21
Golf Tournament 
The Council President's Arboretum Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the Arboretum, will be held on Friday, September 21, at St. Andrews Golf Course. For more information go to the FOTA website, or email the event organizers at
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August-September Classes
Saturday, August 25, New Volunteer Orientation, 9:00 to 11:00 am. Learn about volunteer opportunities at the Arboretum, and sign up to be a part of this rewarding and productive team.
 Saturday, September 8, Geocaching Tour, 10:00 to 11:30 am. $5 per person. Learn about this high-tech, world-wide game!
Saturday, September 8, Photography for Kids age 9 through 14, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. $20 per person. Pre-registration is required.
For more information on all these activities and more, go to www.opabg.org. Register online by following the prompts at the website.
Photo of a hummingbird moth by 13-year-old Cassandra Mars
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Darden Foundation Helps Children
Learn about Trees
Thanks to a grant from the Darden Foundation and our local LongHorn SteakHouse, elementary age children will learn about the trees in the Arboretum based on the Science Benchmarks of the Kansas Department of Education.
According to FOTA Education Committee Chair Bob Lane, "We will see a huge growth in the value of field trips that grade schools bring to our site due to this generous grant from the Darden Foundation."
Booklets are being designed now and the first one of the series will be available this fall.
The charming illustrations for the tree booklet series are being created by FOTA volunteer Andra Chase.
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The Arb / August 2012
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
1/2 mile west of Hwy. 69
at 179th & Antioch
913-685-3604
www.opabg.org
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