Autumn Fern, November 2023

Dear Friends,

November marks a particularly important time at the Arboretum. It’s the time of year when we ask you to support the work we do with a gift to our Annual Appeal. This year’s Appeal is particularly meaningful to us because it represents the kickoff of the celebration of our 50th anniversary.

Over the last half-century, the Arboretum has grown into a vibrant oasis and community resource. It would not be what it is today without your past support. While we pause and reflect on how far we have come, we look to the future with excitement, and we need your help to continue to grow and flourish for the next 50 years! Please give generously to this year’s Annual Appeal and help us maintain our woodlands and gardens, and continue to offer educational programs to our community for generations to come.

With deepest gratitude,

Celebrate the Season!

Enjoy 25+ lighted and decorated trees throughout the grounds, children's activities celebrating Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, and the Winter Solstice, musical entertainment, photos with Santa, a holiday market, and more! Don't forget to bring new winter socks or mittens and gloves for GRACE! Donation bins will be at check-in. Thank you! (More information about the Holiday Drive for GRACE is in the newsletter below.)

Sponsor & Decorate a Tree

Saturday, December 9, 10 am - 12 pm and 12 pm - 2 pm

Local businesses, non-profits, families, school & scout groups are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree. We can't wait to see your creative themes! Get all the details here.

Pre-View Cocktail Party (Adults 21+ only)

Saturday, December 9, 7 - 9 pm

This "spirited celebration" of the holidays includes an evening walk to preview the lighted festival trees, fun cocktails, desserts, and live music with Steve Teti on the grand piano.

Click here to register.

Festival of Trees / Main Event - REGISTER HERE

Sunday, December 10, 11 am - 3 pm

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

TITLE SPONSOR: LOIS SCHNEIDER REALTOR

GOLD: Polestar / Zita's Homemade Ice Cream

PRE-VIEW PARTY: Cambridge Wines / Vodka Salad / The Secret Tea Room / BAKE Bakery/ Across the Pond Bakery

Click on program titles for more information and to register.

Registration is required unless otherwise noted.

Holiday Greens Sale - Orders due by November 24

Get a jump on your holiday decorating and gift-giving while supporting this annual Arboretum fundraiser! Shop here for wreaths, swags, centerpieces and more!

New this year! Custom orders are available! Contact Deputy Director of Horticulture Julieanne Frascinella here. Items will also be available for sale at our annual Festival of Trees event on December 10.

Paint & Sip: Watercolor Workshop and Tea

Wednesday, November 29, 2:30 - 5:30 pm

Join artist Pamela Casper for this watercolor workshop drawing inspiration from fresh florals and enchanting tea pots and cups. The Secret Tea Room will be providing freshly baked scones and herbal teas to enjoy while painting.

The Secret Tea Room

Wednesday Cream Tea - November 15, 29, and December 6, 13

Sunday Afternoon Tea - December 3, 17

Special Holiday Family Tea - Saturday, December 16

Enjoy an enchanting tea service with brewed-to-perfection teas and fusions, scrumptious scones, delectable tea sandwiches, and more. Gift Certificates are also available for holiday gift giving! Contact our office to purchase.

Lyndhurst Holiday Mansion Tour - Click here to be added to the waitlist.

Friday, December 1, 9 am - 4 pm

Winter Solstice Celebration

Thursday, December 21, 4-5 pm (families w/ children ages 4+)

Celebrate the shortest day of the year with stories and cocoa around the campfire as we reflect on the ancient traditions surrounding the first day of winter.

NATURE ON THE MOVE:

Rhythmic Abstractions by Jesús Núñez

Through November 19

SPECIAL PRICING! RRA Members will receive $300 off any purchase from this collection at the Arboretum.

Click here to learn more about the artist and this exhibit.

Registration is required for all volunteer opportunities.

Click on the titles below for more information.

For questions or to register, email Trish Cassin here.

Holiday Decorating

Volunteering can put you in the holiday spirit!

If you enjoy the holidays, decorating, and are crafty, then this volunteer opportunity is for you! 2-hour shifts available on various dates and times in November and December.

Festival of Trees

Sunday, December 10; Shifts 10:30 am - 1 pm and 1 pm - 3:30 pm

Assist with games, crafts, set-up, and more at this fun family-friendly festival.

Ground Force (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Thursdays,1:30 - 3:30 pm and Saturdays, 2 - 4 pm

Join our staff outdoors to maintain and enhance the beauty of our grounds.

Woodland Restoration (ages 14+, 12-13 w/an adult)

Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm

Help restore existing trails, plant native trees, remove invasives, and more!

Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

Please contact Trish Cassin at the email above.

SPECIAL OFFER from VW DOUGLAS of Summit!

Buy a new or used VW or INFINITI vehicle from Douglas of Summit and they will donate $250 to the Arboretum!

Click here for VW details! / Click here for INFINITI details!

The Arboretum is looking for CORPORATE PARTNERS!

Are you a small business owner? Involved in a startup? A long-time employee of a large firm? We need you! Corporate Sponsorship is a fantastic way to showcase your brand and show your support for the Arboretum. Opportunities are available at nearly every level. Want more information? Contact Patty Butler at [email protected] or (908) 273-8787, x1414.

BUZZWORTHY NEWS FROM OUR BLOG

Looking Back on Fall, Forward to Spring...by Deputy Director of Horticulture, Julieanne Frascinella. Click here.

WINTER HOURS - Now through March, the grounds will be open 9 AM - 4 PM daily.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

@reevesreedarboretum

Reeves-Reed Arboretum programs and events in 2023 were made possible, in part, by support from:

Grants

E.J. Grassmann Trust; Garden Clubs of America; Hyde & Watson Foundation; Investors Foundation; Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation; NJ Historic Trust; Overlook Foundation; The Summit Foundation; Summit Garden Club; Union County Board of County Commissioners, a division of the Department of State, through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks & Community Renewal Union Foundation

Corporate/Business Sponsors

Bartlett Tree Experts; Barth’s Market; Bassett Associates; Beacon Hill Club; Cambridge Wines; Chubb; Creative Digital Solutions; Douglas Volkswagen + Infiniti; David Ellis Events; The Farm at Green Village; Fisk Foto; Fountainhead Advisors; Great Swamp Nursery; The Gypset; Hadley Peterson Landscaping & Design; Infantini Landscaping; JAM Graphics; James M. Wood, CPA; Java’s Compost; Jennifer Hinger Photography; Kayak East; Leaf + Line; Lees Peck Group/Prominent Properties; Lois Schneider Realtor; Mobility Elevator & Lift Co.; Natale's Bakery; Nexgen Sources; The Oldendorp Group; Peapack Private Wealth Management; Peerless Beverage Co.; PSE&G; Polestar; Rosen Kelly Conway Architecture & Design; Seasons Floral Design; Shoprite; The Secret Tea Room; Silver Lining Jewelry; Sonja Gamgort Design, LLC; Tea & Oranges; Totes Goats, LLC; Zita’s Homemade Ice Cream