We all hope to leave our mark in some way; we try to live our best life and make a difference. At Landis, many accomplish this by giving their time, talent, financial or in-kind donations -- anything they can to make the Arboretum a better place. We would cease to exist without all these contributions, whatever form they may take.
For Nicholas J. Juried, this quest reached monumental proportions in a few short years at the end of a long and exceptionally fulfilling life. We lost Nick in January of this year. We never met him face to face, but his mark is everywhere.
As a native of Schoharie County, Nick was determined to fund a host of worthy projects at nonprofits from Gilboa (his childhood home) to Jefferson, to Esperance and beyond. This effort was fueled by a successful career in the state of Texas where he and his late wife also demonstrated their support for their local community. But it was Schoharie County that truly touched his heart in his later years and motivated him to share his fortune with organizations such as Landis. Our gratitude knows no bounds.
If you have been to the Arboretum lately, you have surely been impressed with all the capital improvements. Perhaps the most dramatic is the stunning new Pavillon at the aptly renamed Nicholas J. Juried Meeting House. This has expanded our ability to host weddings and other large-scale rental events in an even more picturesque and comfortable setting. New roofing and solar panels at the Barn, and new stone walkways, stairs, and a patio are also highly visible improvements. Exterior renovations abound, creating not only a more attractive Landis, but also a safer one for visitors, staff, and volunteers to explore on foot. Additional interior work like foundation, cellar, and HVAC projects at the historic Lape Farmhouse is less apparent to the public, but critical to the structural integrity of the building and its future.
At the Landis Arboretum, Nick’s generosity will be felt for generations to come. He worked with us across the miles to help us address unmet needs in a relatively short span of time. In fact, the speed of the progress made could be described at times as dizzying. We could never have changed the face – and the bones – of Landis and its heritage so quickly, so effectively, so respectfully, without the tremendous support of one very special man, Nicholas J. Juried. He will always have a home at the Arboretum.
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