Olana offers botanical drawing program

WHAT: Botanical drawing program WHERE: July 15 at 10 a.m. WHERE: The Wagon House Education Center at Olana State Historic Site, 5720 state Route 9G, Hudson DETAILS: Stroll through Olana’s flower garden and orchards, become inspired by the blossoms and blooms and learn how to draw them. The site will offer “Explore & Create at Olana: Botanical Drawing Program,” with local artist Wendy Hollender. She is a botanical artist, illustrator, author, instructor and owner of Drawing Color. Participants will be led through Olana’s lush mingled garden to see all the irises and a variety of seasonal blooms. They will then go to the Main House to look at botanical drawings by 19th century artists like Auguste Morisot and Marianne North. The program will continue in the Wagon House Education Center, where participants will have refreshments and take a walk through the apple orchard. Participants will begin to practice drawing with Hollender, using fresh cuttings from the garden and small branches of the apple trees. The cost of the program, which is for ages 12 and up, is $35, $30 for members. CONTACT: Call (518) 828-1872, ext. 105, or visit olana.org/calendar to preregister or for more information. Walk-in welcome.

Hudson-Athens Lighthouse benefit on July 15

WHAT: Benefit for lighthouse WHEN: July 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. WHERE: Verdigris Catskill, 291 Main St., Catskill DETAILS: Verdigris Catskill is hosting a fundraiser for the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse. There will be an iced tea tasting, in which participants can sample all the lighthouse teas, to be accompanied by shortbread cookies — both sweet and savory — from SAVOR of Connecticut. The event is free, but it is hoped visitors will buy tea tins and help preserve the lighthouse. CONTACT: Send an email to verdigristea@gmail.com for more information. Visit hudsonathenslighthouse.org for more information on the lighthouse and to sign up for tours.