Day breaks at the Arboretum. The first rays of sunlight touch the Nicholas J. Juried Meeting House on the hill above the Farmhouse. It is the beginning of another day at the Arboretum’s beloved “Nick.”
The first to arrive, an early morning birding group, binoculars in hand, stops to peer down from the deck, following the swooping paths of our avian residents.
As the sun’s path arcs up into the sky, new visitors climb the steps to take in the panoramic views of the Schoharie Valley from the wrap-around deck.
Close to noon, sun at the zenith, a family of four claims one of the picnic tables on the terraced patio beneath the deck to enjoy a lunch al fresco.
Later in the afternoon, there’s a hum of activity as preparations begin for a Full Moon Music concert. Members of the band and their entourage start arriving. Instruments tune up, microphones are tested, and a few licks on a guitar can be heard.
As the band warms up, the day darkens, and a small group waiting for the concert enjoys a tasty looking picnic dinner on the deck, making summer memories in the idyllic setting.
Soon, more and more of the audience arrives, and the “Nick” begins to come alive with conversation and laughter. The weather is perfect, and the deck is filled with people relaxing, drinks in hand, enjoying the views.
Inside the “Nick,” volunteers are placing small votive candles on the bistro tables. The room is buzzing with conversation as people greet old friends and make new ones. As evening approaches, people inside from the deck.
By now, daylight fades, and music fills the “Nick.” The stage lights and the candlelight give the room an intimate ambiance, the feeling of a rustic cabaret. Soon the band has the audience entranced.
Mid-concert, the moon rises. Almost on cue, a glow appears on top of a ridge across the valley. The lunar light show begins. The moon, the warm summer breeze, and the clear sky are an irresistible combination that draws several groups of people back outside. They listen to the rest of the concert from the deck. It is truly magical.
At 10 o’clock, the band finishes their second encore. The houselights come up. A contented audience makes its way to the exits and heads home.
The “Nick” is dark again. When the parking lot is empty and the gates closed, nature is back in control. The full moon shines brilliantly. The only sounds of music are from the peepers and a distant owl.
