POETS AT THE ARBORETUM

POETS AT PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM ON AUGUST 14th

Celebrate nature with poetry at the beautiful Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands, New York.

A late summer Friday evening event sponsored by the Arboretum will feature John Abbuhl and Alan Casline from the Arboretum and a host of other local poets. The event is being held indoors at the Pine Hollow Arboretum building at 16 Maple Ave. on Friday, August 14, 2009 beginning at 7:30pm and ending at 10 pm. Early arrivals are welcome to sign-in at the headquarters and visit the grounds. Light refreshments will be provided by the Arboretum members. Poets scheduled to appear are Ron Pavoldi, Rachael Ikins, Marion Menna, Susan Morse, Alan Casline, Tim Verhaegen, John Abbuhl, Mimi Moriarty, Tim Lake, Edie Abrams, Obeeduid, Joyce Schreiber and others. The contents of this event are biodegradable and will leave only wordprints.

Contact Alan Casline at ACASLINE@aol.com or Pine Hollow Arboretum at Pinehollowarb@aol.com for more information.

SAMPLE POEMS

VISION



What am I? I am what is
that I have helped along
the children that have grown to be
and have begot their own.

I am the grasses and the trees
a landscape all its own
that shows its flowers to the world
and pleasures those that see.

And I’ve been there with helping hand
to save a special land
so those that come in future days
can sense that fortune favored them,

By saving beauty to behold
above a daily life
and thus give meaning much apart
from what all, that’s only strife.

For vision is a gift of mind
that comes from all before
and flowers at each future time
connecting all that’s right.

John W. Abbuhl
24 May’03

VIEW FROM LATER


hillside maples

forest of plantings

photo of Dad

bucket to move small trees

shovel a stave

one hand holds straight the tree top

gentle urge to grow


one of these tall trees

is the one in the photo

still reckoned young

twenty-five years later


Alan Casline

September 23, 2008
Springs Hollow, New York

SUNDAY ART WORKS AT ARBORETUM

Sunday Art Works at Arboretum (pun intended). A pun uses a word or phrase in such a way as to suggest two or more of its meanings. "Art Works" as in all the works of art displayed at 16 Maple Avenue, a rich selection in a great variety of mediums and art works as the show at Pine Hollow Arboretum worked successfully in bringing well over a hundred people to our grounds. Most of them enjoyed the trees, ponds, sunshine and fresh air as well as the talented local artists who were kind enough to display their art work. Mike Harrison added greatly to the event by donating his music in the form of singing voice and guitar playing. The guy barely took a break. He played some chords from the sixties that he claimed he is the only one who remembers. As a friend of the Arboretum, Mike be sure to let us know when your recording project is done. Right at 2 pm the crowd started arriving. Many timed it so they could take the arboretum tour guided by John Abbuhl. A hour and a half later, John came striding up the hill and told us he had 36 people on his tour. It would have been more but a few people were so sweet we had to keep them on ice and away from the wild life(bees). Lots of others took the self-guided tour. I heard two tell John they had covered 95% of the entire property. Those two better become members of the Arboretum. We need them as volunteers! One hoped for side-shoot from the day will be new members and new volunteers. It was a steady stream of people all day but our Board and members had time to enjoy the day too. Board member Audrey Hawkins summed it up well when she said, "Kudos to us all and especially Virginia Acquario for organizing and coordinating the event! It was a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the Arboretum, from small children to the elderly with canes. I heard a lot of "WOWS" ! I never knew that such a large tract of land existed back here with such beautiful trees. John 's passion has been viewed by lots more lucky folks."

Poetry here on Friday August 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm.

--- Alan Casline