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Chair's Corner...
By Dennis Patton
Executive Committee Chair
 Changing Impressions
Can you believe that fall has arrived? In terms of weather, 2012 will go down as one of the most interesting years. Mild winter, early spring and a hot, dry summer kept us all on our toes. Who knows what fall and the coming winter will bring.
One sure thing is the progress being made at the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Recently we celebrated the accomplishments of the previous year with well over 100 Friends of the Arboretum members at our Annual Meeting. An invitation to these festivities is one of the many perks of joining the Friends group. "Changing Impressions" was the theme as we looked back, as well as forward to the coming years.
Another highlight was the recognition of two special volunteer FOTA members. Read more about Mary and Charlie elsewhere in this issue. We could not host events such as the upcoming BioBlitz, Arts for Kids, or the Luminary Walk without all the wonderful volunteers. If you are not a volunteer, consider attending a training session early next year.
Keep in mind that starting in January 2013 there will be an admission fee (rates yet to be determined) to visit the Arboretum. But with membership in the Friends group, admission will be free, so there's no need for members to worry about the coming fees. The FOTA Executive Committee is still working hard to determine a reasonable membership fee.
If you have not visited this summer due to the heat, fall is a wonderful time to view the colors and textures in the gardens, prairie and woods. So come on out! I'm sure you will be impressed by the ever changing impressions being created in this special place.
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 Train Garden News...
Depot construction is now underway. This shelter-like centerpiece of the Train Garden will be called the Leatherwood Depot, in honor of the rare leatherwood trees known to exist only in the Arboretum (near the Wolf Creek bridge) and one other place in the midwest.
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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 PHOTO BY MICHAEL R. PATTERSON |
The Arb / September 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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ARTS for KIDS Is This Coming Weekend
The annual Arts for Kids event (for kids 2-12) will be held this Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 29-30) 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.
 Native American flute player Terry Whetstone and Janie Next Door (accordion music for kids) will perform both days. Forest the Fox will be there, too.
On Sunday, the Overland Park Orchestra and the Heartland Ringers Handbell Choir will perform. The Kansas City Zoo will be there with several animals the kids can see up close, Dan Johnson will be there with his ever-popular snakes, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will lead a special project.
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.
NATURE CRAFT PHOTO BY SANDY PETERSON
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It's Not Too Late To Sign Up!
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.
This very special nature event is 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 about the event and the outstanding roster of instructors can also be found at www.opabg.org. To register online for the BioBlitz, Click Here.
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FOTA Annual Meeting Was Most Fun Ever
A record number of Annual Meeting attendees enjoyed a perfect evening of food, friendship and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting overlooking the Arboretum's Monet Garden at dusk.
 FOTA Coordinator Suzie Swyden planned and executed the French themed party, with entertainment (FOTA volunteer Charlie Loftus's barbershop quartet--Charlie is pictured on the left), table decorations, food (best ever) and activities geared around all-things-Monet.
Completely unexpected were the hot air balloons that quietly floated over the gardens near the end of the beautiful evening. By sheer coincidence, even the recipients of the Volunteer of the Year award (Charlie Cormier) and the Sapling of the Year award (Mary Moreau) had surnames of French origin.
As for their contributions to FOTA, Mary plunged right in last year and became involved in nearly every possible volunteer activity. Charlie is the driving force in all behind-the-scenes event operations and is each chairperson's right-hand-man when things need to be built, fixed, set up, moved or parked. Charlie and Mary are our volunteer superstars of 2011.
ANNUAL MEETING PHOTOS BY MARK HIGGINS
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Another Unsung FOTA Volunteer
By John and Margaret Kalal
Around our house, Dixie Wantoch is called the "Cashier Queen." Dixie has been a steadfast FOTA volunteer for the past 10 years assisting with major fund-raising activities. She single-handedly sets up the cashier area complete with most electronic devices that the rest of us hide from. Her calm demeanor keeps a careful watch over the cash/credit transactions and FOTA volunteer cashiers that man the Luminary Walk, Plant Sale and Arts for Kids events.
 Dixie not only knows how to handle all the cash registers and credit card machines transactions, she is a wiz with numbers and accounting as well. She assists the Treasurer with multiple duties that require her quick, sharp mind. She truly enjoys working in the volunteer cashier area and has an effective training, set-up and accounting system in place. Dixie's many years serving as "Queen Cashier" are genuinely appreciated by the Friends group (and especially by us). Thanks Dixie!
PHOTO TAKEN AT THE ANNUAL MEETING BY MARK HIGGINS
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Luminary Walk 2012 - Save the Date!
An exciting addition to the Holiday Luminary Walk this year will be horse-drawn hay wagon rides. So if you're already planning activities for the upcoming holiday season, be sure to put FOTA's thirteenth annual Luminary Walk on your calendar. It's held on Friday and Saturday nights right after Thanksgiving (excellent entertainment if you have family or friends in from out of town) and also the following Friday and Saturday nights (November 23, 24 and 30, and December 1, 5 to 9 pm). Tickets are $7 per person, with children five and under free. Parking is also free. Tickets for the horse-drawn hay wagon rides are an additional $3 per rider.
Best known for its thousands of candlelit trails and lighted displays, the Luminary Walk also features a bonfire with refreshments, loads of holiday music and entertainment, and Santa Claus from 6 to 8 pm each night. Mark your calendar and make plans NOW!
PHOTO BY MARK HIGGINS
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