Area January 12, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 13 On Jan. 15, area residents are invited to join Skylands Head Landscape Gardener Rich Flynn for “Landscape Design at Skylands: A Historical Perspective.” The program will begin at 10 a.m. at the Carriage House at Skylands, the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood. Skylands is a unique botanical and architectural gem, a former country estate featuring elegantly landscaped grounds, historical buildings, and a vast collection of unusual plant species from around the world. Skylands is also home to New Jersey’s only State Botanical Garden. All are welcome to attend Flynn’s presentation. A $3 donation is requested. In 1922, Clarence McKenzie Lewis, an investment banker and trustee of the New York Botanical Garden, purchased the property from the estate of Francis Lynde Stetson, who founded Skylands in 1891. Over the next 30 years, Lewis built the existing Tudor-style 45-room manor house and transformed Skylands into a botanical showplace. Italian landscape designer Ferruccio Vitale (1875-1933), who developed his reputation through important civic commissions such as the National Mall and the National ‘Landscape Design at Skylands’ to be presented Gallery of Art, created the country-estate landscape of Skylands. Most of the trees now framing the house were planted by Lewis and his crew of over 60 gardeners (in peak seasons), including the magnificent copper beeches. Wanting to appeal to all of the senses, Lewis stressed symmetry, color, texture, form, and fragrance in his gardens. The New Jersey State Botanical Garden, located on the central 96 acres of this 1,100-acre former country estate, is a distinctive botanical and architectural destination in its own right. Purchased in 1966 as New Jersey’s first “Green Acres” acquisition, NJBG features elegantly landscaped grounds containing many of the original garden designs, historical buildings, extensive statuary, and vast collection of plant species. The centerpiece of the property is Skylands Manor, a Tudor Revival mansion constructed for Lewis in the early 20th century by renowned architect John Russell Pope. Pope also designed many outstanding private residences and public buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Gallery of Art, both in Washington, D.C. Other distinguished contributors to Sky- The first Manor House at the Botanical Garden was a gaslight-era mansion built by Francis Stetson as part of an extensive gentleman’s farm. At the time, sheep grazed on the lawn. lands included decorative metal designer and craftsman Samuel Yellin (1885-1940), who led the American revival of the use of iron as decorative art. Yellin fashioned the lanterns, electrical fixtures, lamps, spiral staircase rail, and gate of the manor house. Si n c e 1976 , T h e NJ BG / Sk yl a n d s (continued on page 17) Paul Banach Construction, LLC Home Remodeling Waldwick • 201-689-0765 Windows • Doors Garage Doors Finish Carpentry Crown Moldings, Cabinetry, Walk-In-Closets, etc... Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations Over 20 yrs. exp. • Senior Citizen Discount • Ref available upon request All work performed by owner • Free Estimates But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? Paulbanachconstruction.com Advertise in the YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 1-12-11....Mike....from Janine PaulBanachConstruction2x2(1-12-11) 2x2” New School of Dance Arts NEW CLASSES STARTING THIS MONTH! For Children: Pre-School Dance Creative Ballet Tap & Jazz Ballet & Gym For Teens: Zumba For Adults: Contemporary Dance Yoga 201-652-0744 16 & 18 Godwin Plaza Godwin Ave, Midland Park www.newschoolofdancearts.com 201-444-3929