February 1 2008 E-News

Volunteer

E-News from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

‘Treeology’ Winning Designs Announced. Seventeen outdoor sculptures by well-known Minnesota artists and designers have been chosen for the “Art ’n' Trees Trail” juried artwalk, opening May 24 as the centerpiece of the Arboretum’s 2008 Summer “Treeology” Exhibition. These installations will be placed along a tree-lined walk through Arboretum grounds, providing a fresh look at the towering wonder and beauty of trees in today’s world. For names of winning designers, click here: http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/pressroom.aspx. Just think of all the “tree-mendous” fun we’ll have this summer! (PS: As a sneak preview, models of winning entries will be on display in the Oswald Visitor Center in March.) The Treeology exhibition is the cornerstone of a year of celebrations in honor of the Arboretum’s 50th anniversary year and the 100th anniversary of the University of Minnesota’s Horticultural Research Center.

Art Shows Offer a Welcome Escape. On these frigid winter days, we invite you to warm your spirit and feast your eyes on two intriguing art shows in the Oswald Visitor Center. Walk into the Great Hall and discover blossoming apple trees, a crystalline waterfall, vibrant orange dahlias and spring raindrops on fresh green pine needles. They’re all part of the “Four Seasons of the Arboretum” juried photography show and sale by the Arboretum Photographers Society, on display through Feb. 24.
. Pancakes and Syrup by Peg Stangby
Laughing Waters by Frederick Somers Pancakes by Peg Stangby

But that’s not all! Step a bit further, into the Reedy Gallery, and savor the sparkling hues and lyrical shapes in the pastel landscapes created by talented Minnesota artists Marc Hanson, Karen Kersten, Becky Jokela and Frederick Somers in the "Pastel Pastorale" exhibit. From Somers’ watery reflections to Jokela’s summery garden paths, this show is a delightful parade through Midwestern seasons. It continues through March 23. Art lovers, listen up: Frederick Somers will give a painting demonstration in the Reedy Gallery from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Free with Arb admission.

Ovation for Olin. The Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) has inducted Arboretum Director Peter Olin into the MNLA Hall of Fame. The announcement was made during the recent Minnesota Green Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The MNLA Hall of Fame honors leaders who have given longtime service to the association and the industry. “Peter has been a giant in the effort to connect the public with plants and landscaping,” said outgoing MNLA President Tim Power. The MNLA is the state’s largest green industry trade association with over 1,500 member companies. Congratulations, Peter!

Apple-Naming Contest Update. More than 7,000 entries were submitted to our naming contest for the little MN 447 apple. Since then, our Horticultural Research Center scientists and project staff have narrowed the pool to 38 finalists. Once the winning entry is decided, it will undergo a necessary legal search and trademark clearance by the University of Minnesota. We hope to announce the winner by late February. Entries were received from across the United States, Europe and Asia! We appreciate everyone’s patience as the selection process winds down.

Upcoming Events

Free Family Fun: How do animals survive the winter? Fly south like migrant birds and monarch butterflies into our tropical greenhouse. Hunt for a chocolate tree, vanilla orchid and the oranges, lemons and papaya that help sustain these weary migrants. Create a natural seed ornament to feed the hardy winter birds. Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m., throughout February, in the Marion Andrus Learning Center.

Here’s another great escape! Explore the mansions and gardens of Long Island or sail the Danube River from Munich to the Black Sea! All this and more is included in the next Arboretum Travelogue set for 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, in the MacMillan Auditorium of the Oswald Visitor Center. You’ll find the lectures (plus slide show) most interesting! Free with gate admission.

‘A-heart-boretum’ Events
Make the Arb your Valentine’s Day destination! Treat your sweetheart to Valentine’s Day Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the romantic Fireplace Room of the Snyder Building, complete with wine and live music. ($70 per person for members; $75 non-members, call 612-624-7173). Or join in the “Foods of Love” Cooking Class where Chef Jenny Breen will teach you how to create an aphrodisiac multi-course dinner to liven up your love life. Includes complementary wines. Must be 21 or older. ($45 member or $55 non-member; call 952-443-1422). Visit the website at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/valentinesdaydinners.aspx for details.

Gardening and Crafts Classes: There are still openings in the following classes:

Arboretum Gardening School’s “Asexual Reproduction: Grafting” class Saturday, Feb. 2 (tomorrow) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Instructor is U of M horticulturalist Jim Calkins, Ph.D. Fee is $30 members or $40 non-members. Snyder Building Auditorium. (Same-day registrationaccepted at the door.)
Beginning Painting: Acrylics or Pastels, Tuesdays, Feb. 5 & 12, 10 a.m. to noon, with Katie Howard. Choose either acrylics or pastel sticks and learn composition, color and design. $50/$60. Teaching Classroom, Oswald Visitor Center.
Essence of Japanese Floral Arrangements, Thursday, Feb. 7, 1-3 p.m., Snyder Building, Classroom 2. Learn principles of ikebana with Sue Bagge. $25/$35.
The World of Teas, Saturday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m.-noon. Instructor Kris James describes and shares samples of world teas. $25/$35. Snyder Classroom 2.
Bent Willow Chair Workshop, Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 9-10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn the craft of willow-bending and create a beautiful fan-backed bent willow chair to take home. Instructor is Bob McNeely. $290 member/ $315 nonmember. Snyder Auditorium.
To sign up for any classes, call the Education Office at 952-443-1422 or email ArbEdu@umn.edu.

Extreme Winter Walkabout. Don’t fight winter! Enjoy it! Join an exhilarating hike through the Arboretum woods and prairies with a staff naturalist. Learn about winter survivors and take in the beauty of the pristine winter landscape. Bring snowshoes if you wish. Warm up later with a complimentary hot beverage. Saturday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m., departing from Oswald Visitor Center.

Afternoon Teas: Warm up on a blustery afternoon with formal tea in the Arboretum's Tea Room. The three-course tea comes with freshly baked sweets and savories, including homemade scones topped with tangy lemon curd and Devonshire cream. $22 members/ $25 nonmembers, plus tax. Wednesdays, through March 26, 3-4:30 p.m. Call 612-624-7173 for reservations.

From our Volunteer Office: Spring must be right around the corner, volunteers! The Arboretum Pancake Brunch is Saturday and Sunday, March 29 and 30, so mark your calendars! If you are able to help with this fun event, please contact Diane Fiebelkorn at 952-443-1422.

Looking ahead: Parents, register now for summer fun! The Arboretum offers exciting options for ages 3-14. For preschoolers (and their adult companion), we offer PeaPods on Tuesdays. For kids wanting summer-long plant adventures, we offer the once-weekly Children’s Garden and for those who want to participate for just a few days at a time, we offer a wide variety of three-day summer camps. For more information, visit the website at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/ or call 952-443-1422.

That’s all, folks! See you at the Arb!