NOTES FROM THE POETRY READING

Front Pond, 6:15 pm, August 14, 2009


The tour of the arboretum was much more than we expected. John's dedication and knowledge were very impressive! It's wonderful to be in his company, both as botanist (if he calls himself that) and poet. The audience for the poetry reading seemed to be appreciative of the varied voices and styles. It's a lovely venue for poetry and I recommend that this event be repeated often. The refreshments were a very nice touch - after the walk we were thirsty and hungry - so a big thank you to Kate for her contribution, as well.

---Mimi Moriarty

on the arboretum tour: visting the "Big Pile"



I have already gotten some "feed back" from non poet neighbors who loved it! I think it is very exciting to merge all these different talents and interests.


---Kay Abbuhl

poets: (front row L. to R.) Joyce Schreiber, Marion Menna, Mimi Moriarty
(row two) Susan Morse, Rachael Ikins
(row three) Ron Pavoldi, Obeeduid, Alan Casline


Thanks all for one of the best poetry readings I have ever been a part of . It was right up there with the Smitty's Tavern reading this spring. I thought the audience was the best collective group I have ever read to. I like our "poets reading for other poets" readings very much but this one had a broader appeal, maybe because of the site and the mix of mailing lists and publicity. (both the TU and Metroland didn't list it but I guess the Delmar Spotlight and Altamont Enterprise did.) The crowd was so attentive and into it -- it was like they were adding clarity and meaning to the poems just by the power of their listening. I thought poets were on as well; with content, selection and presentation. The new Rootdrinker Institute PA did a fine job too. Thanks to John and Kate for once again making folks feel welcome on their turf.
--- Alan Casline

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

Art at the Arboretum


Pine Hollow Arboretum
presents
an exhibit of visual arts
by local artists
at the Arboretum

Maple Avenue entrance
16 Maple Avenue
Sunday July 19, 2009
from 2 to 5 pm
Public Welcome

light refreshments
music by Mike Harrison

children’s clothesline art show
Merrick Hosford
Phoebe Hosford
Joseph Acquario
Lora Acquario
Stephenanie Acquario
Lian Creaser
Justin Creaser
Gavin Creaser
Brenden Creaser
Stephen Acquario
Jack Acquario

Featured Local Artists

Robert E. Lynck
Ellie Prakken
Mike Whalen
Penny Koberger
Evonne Lutkus
Tom Bailey
Laura Strong
Virginia Acquario
Alan Casline
Joyce Schreiber
Daniel Schreiber
Barbara Hatch Vink
Tom Corrado
Obeeduid
Rachael Ikins
William Hetzer
Celia Whalen
Denie Whalen
M.J. Adelman

Guided tours led by Pine Hollow Arboretum
planter & founder John Abbuhl
at 2:30 and at 4:00 pm

OPEN HOUSE A NICE DAY

We at the Pine Hollow Arboretum invited our neighbors to an Open House . We invited then to visit with the promise that we would love to show them around. On Sunday June 14, 2009 (with the nicest stretch of weather on a raining weekend) we had visitors come by to enjoy the sunshine and our many trails found on 25 acres of trees in a natural setting. We had 38 visitors, mostly from right around the Arboretum which made it a great success from our public relations stand point. Without exception they were enthusiastic and anxious to support the mission and kept talking about ways to help in the future. We have several tours planned for neighbors who could not come this weekend and a meeting with the Science Supervisor for the Bethlehem School District who wants to tour and then work on a curriculum for students of varying levels. All in a good direction and feeling of support! Thanks again for a successful Open House.
--- Kate Abbuhl

Couldn't make it to the Open House. Send us your e-mail address if you want to stay informed about opportunities and events
Keep viewing our blog for news on upcoming events.




Access and Educational tours by appointment.
Call (518) 439-6472

Slingerlands now has a unique forest environment, which we hope to preserve in perpetuity for the benefit of our community, town and bioregion. If you don't know about the Pine Hollow Arboretum let us introduce ourselves to you, our neighbors. We want you to know about what we are doing, how we aspire to be a world-class environmental education resource and suggest ways you might become involved as the organization takes shape and begins to grow.

MAP OF PINE HOLLOW ARBORETUM

Click on map to get larger image. Any photo or illustration in the left-hand column can be enlargered by clicking on it.

Yellowwood, A Rare Tree -- Now In Bloom

American Yellowwood ( Cladrastis kentukea) is a mid-sized deciduous tree. Apparently it also has the scientific name Cladrastic lutea. Common names besides Yellowwood are Gopherwood and Vergilia. Andre Micheaux, the French botanist discovered the Yellowwood Tree near Fort Blount, Tennessee in 1796. I don't think it is considered likely that it is the Gopherwood mentioned in the Bible as the material that the Tower of Babel and Noah's Ark were made of. It could be where the common name came from however. American Yellowwood is called "One of the rarested trees in the eastern United States." Not native to our biota, an article I read said "many people have never seen the tree in bloom." A North Carolina botanist wrote he found only one in the wild after years of looking. Native habitate for the tree is wide but there are only a few trees scattered over large areas mostly in the upper South and in the Ozark region of Arkansas. In the wild the tree is imperiled or vulnerable. Officially the species is classified as Endangered by Illinois and Threatened by Indiana. Rare in the wild and seldom planted in yards.

Pine Hollow Arboretum is fortunate to have a mature example of this beautiful tree. The tree has wisteria-like foot-long flowers usually white but they can be pink. They do not bloom every year. The fruits are long bean-like pods. The plant is part of the Legume family and is therefore distantly related to Locusta and Red Buds. Dye makers have used the bright yellow heart wood to make yellow dye. Great chance to come by and see a mature tree in full bloom which is a stunning sight.