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Coming Up...
For details on the following events and classes, click here.

Music in the Gardens
Resumes August 7
Thursdays 6:30-7:30 pm

Wellness Walks
Mondays 9:00 am

Hot Summer Days
Water games for the whole family
July 24, 10:00 am-noon

Willow Projects
with Bim Willow

August 2, 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Wine Tasting on the Terrace
August 20, 6:00-8:00 pm

Tai Chi Chih
(Six Week Class Series)
August 28 - October 2
10:00-11:30 am

Grandparents' Day Concert
September 7, 4:00-6:00 pm

Dinner on the Prairie
A very special first-time event
September 13, 6:00-9:00 pm

Wine Tasting on the Terrace
September 17, 5:30-7:30 pm

Golf Tournament
September 19, 8:00 am

Artists Sketch Crawl
September 25, 9:00 am-12:30 pm

Hedge Apple Day
Nature crafts for kids 2-12
September 28, Noon-4:00 pm

Botanical Biergarten
A brand new event
October 11, 6:00-10:00 pm

New Moon Walk
October 17, 8:00-10:00 pm

Scarecrows Are a'Comin'
October 20 - November 2
8:00 am-5:00 pm daily

Full Moon Walk
November 7, 8:00-10:00 pm

Holiday Luminary Walk
November 28-29, 5:00-9:00 pm
December 5-6, 5:00-9:00 pm

Click here for details, other events and classes, some of which require pre-registration. 

Adirondack Winners Announced

    Prizes were awarded to the top chairs in the recent "Kickin' Back in an Adirondack" exhibit. Winner in the Whimsical category was "By the Pond," by Ken Dela. The top Botanical category chair was "Kansas Beauty," by Andra Chase, which also won the People's Choice award.
    Cash prizes of $400 each were awarded in the two categories, and $200 for the People's Choice winner.
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FOTA Contact Info 

 

Dennis Patton, FOTA Chair

Dennis.Patton@jocogov.org  

 

Volunteer Coordinator

VolunteerCoordinator@opkansas.org 

 

Suzie Swyden, FOTA Coordinator
and Membership Inquiries:

fotacoordinator@yahoo.com 

 

Katharine Garrison,

Special Events & Education Coordinator

katharine.garrison@opkansas.org 

 

Commemorative Gift and 

Donation Opportunities

can be accessed online.

 

The Arb / July 2014  
Overland Park Arboretum
& Botanical Gardens
1/2 mile west of Hwy. 69
on 179th Street
913-685-3604  
 

Summer Fun for Everyone
    Summer is a great time to enjoy family-friendly activities at the Arboretum. Mark your calendars now for these exciting events. Go to www.opabg.org and click on the Classes and Events link for more details and to sign up:
  
T'ai Chi Chih Thursday Series Begins August 28 
    A series of six Thursday morning classes will combine the beauty of the Arboretum with a "moving meditation" called T'ai Chi Chih. Learn how this gentle form of exercise helps you feel more connected to the earth, to your own essence, and to others around you. Women and men of all ages and physical abilities benefit from this class, led by a very charming and experienced teacher, Lorraine Lepine. Registration required.

Bent Willow Furniture Making Class August 2
    Meet master furniture builder Bim Willow at 9 a.m. and learn how to bend fresh willow branches into an heirloom. Come with a hammer, pruning shears and gloves and leave with a finished project by 1 p.m. Choose between a one-shelf potting bench, a garden bench, a ladder back chair, an end table, or a trellis. Each project individually priced, starting at $45. 
    Advance registration is required so that materials can be collected. Learn more about Bim Willow, artist, author, poet and humorist, and this traditional American craft at www.bimwillow.com. 

Wine Tasting on the Terrace August 20 
    Our August wine tasting features Buckley's Wine Market, who will present some well-known varietals from unique terroir-commonly consumed grapes from atypical countries of origin. One lucky guest will win a 3-liter bottle of Cryptic California Red. Everyone will receive a free Buckley's Wine Bag, which allows Buckley's customers to receive a 10% discount on future purchases of six or more bottles of wine. Registration required.

Dinner on the Prairie Is September 13- Save the Date! 
    You won't want to miss this rustic yet elegant first-time event, to be held in the Prairie Restoration area of the Arboretum from 6 to 9 p.m. on September 13.
    Experience cocktails at the Conestoga wagon, a prairie storyteller, a native American flute player, a seated dinner with wine, dessert and coffee, a jazz trio, and a live auction.
    Reserve your tickets soon, as seating is limited. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing Prairie Restoration Project.

Music on the Terrace Thursday Evenings at 6:30 
     Stroll through the gardens, grab a snack from the Garden Caf�, and enjoy Music on the Terrace on Thursday evenings in August and September beginning August 7.
 
Grandparents Day Concert September 7  
    This is a concert for everyone, so bring the whole family! Dino O'Dell will perform with a full band from 4 to 5 p.m., and then the KC Ukesters take the stage from 5 to 6 p.m.

    Bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy this fun concert. Lucy's Kids for Peace will be our special volunteers. A big thank you to Bill and Barbara Patterson and the KC Cares for Kids Walk, which benefits Children's Mercy Cancer Center Auxiliary, in memory of their granddaughter Lucy. 
Train Garden Expansion Continues

    Bring the kids! Bring the neighbors! Bring Uncle Fred! The Strang Line Trolley is up and running. Model buildings depict Overland Park in the 1910-1930 era. Show the young'ns how the city was born. Admire the expert workmanship of our dedicated model train volunteers and the KC Woodworkers Guild. Linger awhile in the Leatherwood Depot. You can almost hear the final phase of the ambitious Train Garden project rumbling closer and closer...

PHOTO BY JOHN BREHM

Members Enjoy Big Savings
    FOTA Executive Committee member Pat Blanchat and family were able to utilize the Reciprocal Admission Program during their May vacation. Their first stop was to the Desert Garden, Phoenix, AZ, where admission fees are $18 per person and $15 for seniors. The entire family was admitted for no charge. Next, they visited the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. With two carloads, their fee without the reciprocal benefits would have been $92, but they paid $12 instead.
    As always it is suggested to contact gardens prior to visiting, as reciprocal benefits vary. To view a list of reciprocal gardens, visit the  American Horticulture Society website.