6 NORTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS & Creative Living - May 23-29, 2012

LOCAL BUSINESSES VALUE LOCAL NEWSPeter Audia, VP of Audia Chevrolet in Millbrook, undertands

the value of local business and local news. That’s why he is anavid reader and advertiser in the Northern Dutchess News.

“In today’s economy, it’s important to knowthat advertising in the local news media givesconsumers a vital outlet to learn about productsand services in and around their towns.

“Maybe it’s time to limit our travel and support these local businesses. Utilizing theNorthern Dutchess News, an entirely local newspaper, gives us the opportunityto accomplish these goals.

“Audia Motors has been a part ofthe local landscape for 65 years and

we understand the value of personal service and shopping local. We inviteyou to visit our newly remodeled facility and check out our Chevrolet prod-ucts and services.”

Contact us today to join Peter and place your advertisement in front of thousands of locally orientedindividuals in Northern Dutchess: 845-297-3723 • Advertising@sdutchessnews.com

NORTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS – WE’RE LOCAL, JUST LIKE YOU.

VP Peter Audia (right) and Les Haxo, GM master tech 15 years

Plant sale to benefit Vanderbilt Garden Restoration projectscontinued from cover

In addition, two major restoration proj-ects are in the works: replanting along theCherry Walk (on the perennial level) andrepairing the stone wall that lines the walk;and replacing the roses on the lowest levelof the garden.

The latter project is already in progress,thanks to a game-changing curveballthrown by Mother Nature: the roses havebeen failing, and no one is really sure why.

“We had a lot of problems with theroses; they started to die off and look bad,”said FWVGA volunteer Margaret Moebius,who chairs the FWVGA public relationscommittee. “We weren’t sure what wasgoing on. We had the soil tested, but [therewere] no real problems.”

Volunteers have begun pulling out deadand dying roses, she said.

“They’re going to rework the soil andstart to plant new roses,” said Moebius.

NPS Staff Horticulturist Anna deCordova suggested the plantings be done inthree phases.

“Anna said it would be better to do instages. That way, if the roses start to go inthe future it will only be one section at atime,” said Moebius. “Also, we don’t havethe money to buy all those roses. We’relooking at a several-year project.”

Because the Rose Garden requiresimmediate attention, it has taken priorityover the Cherry Walk project, which entailspulling up current plantings that have over-grown the stone wall and replacing themwith smaller species. Additionally, the stonewall was designed to have little pockets inwhich to plant cascading flowers. The dete-riorating wall will be renovated with pock-ets, and the newer varieties growing alongthe walk will be short enough to see theflowers growing from the wall.

An irrigation system will also be

installed along the Cherry Walk, Moebiussaid.

“It’s a fairly expensive project,” she said.“We’re getting some estimates; people areresearching the types of plants that shouldgo in there.”

Both projects are the result of recommen-dations in a study recently completed by theOlmsted Center for Landscape Preservationfor the Hyde Park historic sites.

The formal gardens at the VanderbiltMansion National Historic Site are amongthe region’s loveliest and most labor inten-sive. At the height of the Gilded Age, whenFrederick W. and Louise Vanderbilt residedat the estate, a hired crew maintained thethousands of plantings and surroundinglandscape that were Frederick’s pride andpassion.

When Frederick died in 1938, the estatewas put up for sale, beginning the gardens’decline. Under President Franklin D.Roosevelt, the property became part of theNational Park Service (NPS) in 1940; butonce America entered World War II, fund-ing that had once gone to domestic pro-grams like NPS was channeled elsewhere.

The NPS was able to maintain the man-sion and main grounds, but the gardens fellinto neglect. The beds became overgrownand, eventually, all but disappeared. Thegarden statuary and architectural featuressuffered from lack of maintenance.

In 1984, the FWVGA was born whenthree volunteers—Martha (Marti) Stuart,Louise Martin and Marion Asher—approached the NPS with a dream to restorethe gardens. Nearly 30 years later, the non-profit, all-volunteer organization has re-established the gardens’ beauty and reputa-tion, drawing tourists from around theworld. The FWVGA also works with theNPS to establish interpretive and educa-

Joanne Salvado (standing) and Alyssa Cassarino, volunteers with the Frederick W. VanderbiltGarden Association, prepare annual beds for planting. Photo by Kate Goldsmith

tional programs for its members and thegeneral public.

Volunteers are always needed, saidMoebius.

“We could sure use people, not only in

the gardens but who have some expertise infund-raising and grant writing,” she said.

For more information, visit www.vanderbiltgarden.org, e-mail info@vanderbiltgarden.org or call (845) 229-6432.

The Dutchess County Airport on 263 New Hackensack Road,Wappingers Falls, will hold an Open House on Saturday, June 2, from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. The activity is being hosted by Dutchess County Aviationand sponsored by the Poughkeepsie Pilots Association. Admission isfree and food will be provided by the New Hackensack Fire Department.

Learn about and see vintage replica aircraft from the Old RhinebeckAerodrome, Civil Air Patrol with aircraft, display of aircraft flown by local

pilots, R/C aircraft and demonstration, Angel Flight network, flight designand light sport aircraft, county fire tricks and more.

There will be a seminar at 12:30 p.m. for non-pilots to “fast track” theirPilot Certificate and a seminar for pilots at 2 p.m. for “Flying the HudsonRiver SFRA.”

For more information, contact the Dutchess County Airport at (845)463-6000.

DC AIRPORT OPEN HOUSE SET