Take a hike: Asheville Parks and Recreation will offer a wide range of outdoor adventures this fall. The department’s first Senior Trek of the season will be held Friday, Sept. 14, on the UNCA Perimeter Trail—a 2.4-mile loop—followed by a visit to the Botanical Gardens. The low-impact trekking club offers leisurely paced hikes designed with seniors in mind. Meet at the Recreation Office (72 Gashes Creek Road) at 9:30 a.m. on trip day. Bring lunch, water and proper clothing. Registration, which is required, begins Sept. 10. Note that hikers should be in good physical condition. The cost is $2 per hiker for transportation. For more information or to register, contact Christen McNamara at outdoorprograms@ashevillenc.gov or 251-4029.
Talking to planters: The North Carolina Arboretum will host Speaking of Gardening, an event including garden lectures by four highly regarded garden designers, researchers and nurserymen, on Sept. 7 and 8. Author Dan Hinkley, a consulting horticulturist and designer for public and private gardens across the nation, is this year’s featured speaker. He’ll speak twice during the program, on “The Connoisseur’s Garden” and “Take Two: Making A Garden in Full Sun.” Other speakers are: Hank Bruno, director of horticulture at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga.; Brian Upchurch, owner of Highland Creek Nursery in Fletcher; and Richard Olsen, research geneticist with the National Arboretum. The program fee is $98 for Arboretum Society Members and $117 for the general public. The fee includes seven lectures, a plant giveaway, reference notebook, two lunches and snacks. Preregistration and prepayment are required. To register or for more info, visit www.ncarboretum.org or call 665-2492.
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