Dear Friends, Last month I took the opportunity to share a few ideas on ways to “gift” the Arboretum for friends or loved ones on your holiday gift list. Since we are rounding the corner into an early Thanksgiving, I thought the ideas were worth repeating. Let the holiday shopping season commence! Give the gift … Read More

  Dear Friends, As I am writing this message in the middle of October, it is clear to me that fall is here. But it was just a week ago that is was rather warm outside — I certainly wasn’t sure what fall had planned. I always enjoy seeing the last of the summer annuals … Read More

Dear Friends, In my Chair’s Corner from September of 2022, I began my message “If you haven’t stood recently at the east side of Margaret’s Pond and looked to the west and taken in the construction underway for LongHouse—our new visitor’s center—I would invite you to come out!” And, what a difference a year makes! … Read More

Dear Friends, This time of year presents many firsts across our community. There are the firsts for many families in their kid’s school journey, the first of the Chiefs’ pre-season games, the first of fall annuals begin to arrive, and FOTA’s “first to see” Exclusive Membership Event on Wednesday, September 6. This member-only event will … Read More

Dear Friends, In 1989, Tina Turner said it well, “you’re simply the best, better than all the rest”! While I don’t want to get ahead of my skis on this one, I am excited to share that the Friends of the Arboretum has been nominated for Best Not For Profit Organization (Professional Services/Workplace category) in … Read More

  Dear Friends, Each month—particularly as we move from Spring to Summer—there is no lack of news for me to share about our deep roster of summertime events; and what an awesome event list it is! Even with the breadth of ‘ticketed’ events that allow you to celebrate the Gardens, I invite you to come … Read More

Dear Friends, There are so many wonderful events and programs taking place at the Arboretum during the summer months and Stems: A Garden Soirée on June 24th is no exception. The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park is the host of Stems, one of our signature events and an important fundraiser for the Foundation’s … Read More

Dear Friends, National Volunteer Appreciation week is April 16 – 23! Each day, countless volunteers make their way to the gardens to give their time and talent. In 2022, close to 800 of you gave us over 20,000 hours of your time; you planted, trimmed, weeded, mulched, worked events, greeted guests, led tours, and so … Read More

Dear Friends, Like me, I suspect that many of you are excited to see signs all around that winter has begun to yield to spring! As the time change provides us with later sunsets, days that are becoming more consistently warm, and the earliest of spring blooms are beginning to show themselves, I have seen … Read More

Dear Friends, Congratulations to our Chiefs on a year well-played! This summer, Johnson County will play host to the International Master Gardeners Conference from June 18-22— this 5-day event is expected to bring together approximately 1000 guests from across the globe to our area! The Overland Park Convention Center will be the hub for this … Read More