As we look back at September’s Volunteer Appreciation Event (see “Landis Thanks Volunteers, Honors Nan Williams and Sue Tricario”, in this newsletter), we are reminded that the Arboretum’s footprint extends far beyond its grounds on Lape Road. Year-round, Landis staff and volunteers serve as ambassadors for the Arboretum at community events throughout the Greater Capital Region.
One local – very local – example of this service is within the village of Esperance, which celebrated its bicentennial in July. Executive Director Fred Breglia represented Landis on the planning committee, and our volunteers Shawn Bevins and Gus Polli provided training and coordinated the event’s parking logistics. They were assisted at the designated lots by Landis volunteers Lee Lattimer, sisters Yvaine and Yva-Marie Scheid, and Louise Polli. We think Fred Lape would have been pleased to see the village and its neighbor up the road, Landis Arboretum, working together. It was Fred Lape, our founder, who also served as the first curator of the Esperance Historical Museum when it opened in 1970.
The Arboretum’s community presence continues to grow to this day. You can find Landis volunteers greeting and serving the public at a large and diverse selection of events such as the New York Power Authority’s Snowfest, the Capital District Garden and Flower Show, SUNY Cobleskill’s Wildlife Festival and Earth Day Lecture, Mabee Farm’s Canal Fest, Schoharie Crossing’s Canal Days, Sharon Spring’s Harvest Festival, and the Old Stone Fort’s History Fair. In fact, between on-site Arboretum activities such as our signature Plant Sales and popular musical events and the community-based events listed above, Landis volunteers have already provided more than 2,100 hours of service this past year alone.
And we think Fred Lape would have been proud.