Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Leiden Botanic Garden wins Tulip Garden of the Year award



2 November 2015       



Saturday, October 24, 2015:  Suncheon City, South Korea
The World Tulip Summit Society (WTSS) has announced the recipients of the 2015 World Tulip Awards and the winner in the category ‘Tulip Garden of the year’ was the Leiden Botanic Garden, Netherlands

                    
                                                                  
           
  
 The World Tulip Summit Society, a network of tulip lovers (tulipists) from 17 countries, is committed to promoting the tulip as a symbol of world friendship. Each World Tulip Summit, held biannually, is an opportunity to celebrate the special history of the tulip and its relationship with mankind over the many centuries.

In the spirit of its 2015 Summit theme “Generating Success with Garden and Tulip Tourism”, WTSS decided to launch the first “World Tulip Awards”, to recognize those that excel in the promotion and celebration of the tulip.

“Tulips are part of the culture of many countries and tulip attractions, events and festivals are very much part of a destination’s tourism appeal. Visiting tulip destinations provides opportunities to share our cultures and establish friendships”, says Michel Gauthier, Chair of the World Tulip Summit Society.

World Tulip Awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of tulips as part of their destination’s tourism appeal.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Flag of the Six Nations raised at the Batavia Peace Garden

posted by Howard B. Owens in batavia peace garden, Six Nations, batavia.
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The flag of the Six Nations should have been part of the flags flying in the International Peace Garden from the beginning, several speakers at a ceremony raising the flag today acknowledged, but for various reasons, with no blame cast, that didn't happen, the speakers said.
Now that it's part of the display, it will always be part of the display, at least as long as she has a say in it, said Paula Savage.
Speakers noted that the Peace Garden commemorates the War of 1812, a very bad era for our region's indigenous people, people who had been on this land long before then, long before "Columbus sailed the ocean blue" in 1492, and perhaps going back as far as ancient mammals like the mastodons. The people of the Six Nations have suffered many hardships, but remain proud.
"We are strong and we're still here, which is why we wanted a flag in Batavia," said Melissa Smith, president of the Tonawanda Historical Society.
Al White spoke of the need to protect the land and called on the young Native Americans in the audience to set aside their video games and the trappings of commercialized America and embrace their people's relationship with the Creator.
"All of our land used to look like this little garden here," White said. "It was our land and we took care of it because our Creator told us it was our duty to take care of it. It is our sacred duty. I'm grateful for this flag over here, but my flag is all around me because my flag is the land of the Creator."
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Jeanne Taradena
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Al White
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Kathrine Sike and Al Parker raise the flag.
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The Seneca Singers
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Frank Panepento plays the melody for "Amazing Grace." (The song sung by the Seneca Singers was the same melody with words in the Seneca language.)

Saturday, August 29, 2015

YWCA site dedicated as part of international garden program





By Joanne Beck jbeck@batavianews.com
BATAVIA — When Olivia Shell started visiting the children’s garden at YWCA three years ago, it wasn’t very impressive, she says. But then she, along with YW’s Adventure Program childcare staff, participants and Master Gardeners, poured their hearts into the empty plot of land.
“We started planting stuff and it came to life,” 9-year-old Olivia said Friday at the North Street site. “And it became magical.”

She and her Adventure Program gang celebrated a dedication of the garden as the Children’s Honorary International Peace Garden.
International Peace Garden Foundation Founder Paula Savage introduced the concept of having gardens as visual symbols of peace between countries and amongst communities. This is the third Peace Garden in Batavia and the second one to follow a children’s garden in Washington, D.C., Savage said.

“You are one of only two dedicated to children in the world, which is very, very special,” she said during the dedication ceremony.
She reminded spectators and the children that “the only way a garden looks beautiful is when it’s nurtured.” A concept of Adventure Program Director Jen Paxhia, this garden has received much tender loving care, Paxhia said. And one of the best parts is that many project ideas came from the children themselves, she said.

YWCA’s biggest programs are to care for children and offer domestic violence crisis and prevention services to victims and survivors, Executive Director Jeanne Walton said. So it is a perfect connection to have a peace garden right in YW’s own back yard. Children have been working hard to make it an inviting place, and “you can see the fruits of their labor,” Walton said to about 30 guests.
Work so far has included planting of raised beds, creating decorations out of recycled bowling balls, wood pallets and pine cones, making hand-painted signs and garden bed projects, installing a sandbox and crafting Rose Le Crow scarecrow out of some wood, a dress and hat.
Jan Beglinger, Master Gardener coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension, has worked with Adventure Program staff to develop ideas and offer lessons about everything from bugs to the harvest. She also organized dozens of master gardeners to help out through untold hours of volunteer assistance.

“We’re sharing our love and knowledge of gardening,” Beglinger said. “It has meant going from a blank canvas to a place where kids can work in the garden, plant a seed and pick a green bean. I’ve been here since the beginning, this project is near and dear to my heart.”
State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley and Jay Grasso, on behalf of Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, each presented a proclamation for the occasion. Hawley pointed out the colorfully painted fence, flowers in bloom and other positive aspects of the garden. It’s all about peace, he said.
The dedication included unveiling of a Peace Garden stone and a special gift — a yellow plastic car with flowers in the driver's seat — from Batavia Peace Garden members. Vice President Barb Toal remembered talking about the empty plot of land years ago. Tucked between the YW building and its parking lot, “we didn’t know what to do with it.”

“This is a dream come true. We really welcome this addition to Batavia,” she said. “Every one of your little hands made this possible.”

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Letter: A worthy cause reaches a milestone



I can’t believe it has been five years since the first shovel of dirt was turned! Wow! The power of empowered women!
I am speaking of two incredible Batavia residents who I have had the honor of knowing for a combined 100-plus years. That would be Paula Savage and Barb Toal. Two ladies whose love of peace and history brought them together to bring the beauty of the International Peace Garden to home in Paolo Busti Park at the Holland Land Office site. This is now become a jewel in New York state tourist attraction booklets as well as our own Chamber of Commerce booklets.
Paula Savage is the founder of the International Peace Gardens, now over 25 years in existence in countries around the world spanning five continents including Ireland, South Africa, Poland, Italy, Canada and 19 other countries, not to mention the 19 gardens in New York state alone. All of these gardens established with donations raised through Paula’s efforts, no government funding or tax dollars!
Just as Barb Toal has done with our garden, our $200,000 of in-kind donations, free donations to our garden, all from local donors throughout Genesee County. I am afraid to name them here in fear of not naming them all. They are so precious to us. They are our friends! That is in our name!
I am proud to stand not only with these women but also with the very small army of volunteers that have tirelessly worked in this garden for the past five years.
The United Way Day of Caring helps us do all the Master Gardeners and all the stop-by volunteers.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to our wonderful community.
Most of all to Paula and especially Barb for getting me involved in yet another project in the community I love so much!
Mary Ellen Wilber

Batavia

Monday, April 20, 2015

Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum Open May 1

                                               
Sodus Point, NY — The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, located at 7606 North Ontario Street in Sodus Point, is opening for its 31st season at 10 a.m. onFriday, May 1.

Built in 1870, the beautiful, historic lighthouse was used to guide ships on Lake Ontario to safe harbor in Sodus Bay.  Use of the light was discontinued in 1901, having been made redundant by an outer light on the bay’s west pier.  The building now houses a museum, operated by the Sodus Bay Historical Society.  Exhibitions focus on local and maritime history and include displays about lighthouse keepers’ tools, railroads and trolleys, the Erie Canal, and the War of 1812.

Visitors can stroll through gardens on the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario, shop in the museum’s store, and climb the 52-step spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse tower for breathtaking, panoramic views of Lake Ontario and Sodus Point.

The museum has planned many exciting events for 2015, including several in May:

Thank You, Mom!
To celebrate Mother’s Day, all mothers visiting the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum on Sunday, May 10, will receive a free gift with paid admission.

History Alive! Presentation
The museum’s “History Alive!” Lecture Series begins on Wednesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sodus Point Village Hall (8356 Bay Street, Sodus Point).  Rob Edelman will present “From Rosie the Riveter to Harriet the Happy Homemaker:  Women on Screen During and After World War II.”  Using film clips from 1940s and 1950s movies, Mr. Edelman will show how women’s roles in society changed as a result of the war.  This free program is made possible by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities with additional support from the Lighthouse Events Sponsors.

Memorial Day & Blue Star Museums Program
The Museum will be open on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25), which is also the start the Blue Star Museums program, administered by the National Endowment for the Arts.  Active-duty military personnel and up to five family members receive free admission at hundreds of museums around the United States, including the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum.  This program runs until Labor Day.

The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum is open Tuesdaythrough Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students (grades K-12).  Preschool children and Sodus Bay Historical Society members are free.

For more information, including a full list of upcoming events for 2015, visit the museum’s website at www.sodusbaylighthouse.org or call (315) 483-4936

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Dedication of Peace Garden in Albion New York

Beautiful Day in Albion New York as another Peace Garden is Dedicated