A Celebrated Artist Helps Celebrate Holidays At The Morton Arboretum

Holiday Ornament Designer Christopher Radko Scheduled To Make Rare Appearance

LISLE, IL (November 13, 2006) – Christopher Radko, the world-renowned creator of spectacular, graceful holiday tree ornaments, is scheduled to visit The Morton Arboretum November 17, at 3:15 p.m. Radko has created an exclusive Arboretum ornament that is now on display, with limited quantities available this holiday season.

“We are especially honored to have so talented and gifted an artist as Christopher Radko come to the Arboretum for a tremendous afternoon,” said Marilyn Baysek, Arboretum Special Events Manager. “His unparalleled style in tree ornaments and his interest in trees make his planned visit a stirring occasion for us all,” she said, noting that Radko specifically requested and is slated to receive a special tour of Arboretum trees.

Radko, who, like his ornaments is a major attraction, is set to attend two events.

Tickets are now on sale for Holiday Tea With Christopher Radko. Guests will sip tea and enjoy finger sandwiches and sweets in the Ginkgo Room as Radko greets the group with opening remarks, and draws five names of guests who will receive a dazzling Radko gift. Additionally, every attendee will receive “Nature Lover.” Only 200 tickets at $65 each will be sold for this exclusive event, with a maximum of four tickets per member. Tickets are available on the Arboretum’s website, wwww.mortonarb.org, or in The Arboretum Store, and are non-refundable.

Later, the famous artist officially kicks-off the Arboretum holiday season by lighting a beautiful “silk” tree decorated entirely with Radko ornaments and donated to the Arboretum by member Gail Andrews, owner of The Canterbury Shoppe in Naperville.  This and other “silk” trees – all created by area designers and featuring nature themes – will be displayed in the Visitor Center through the holidays, and raffled to the public in January.

Attendance at the tree-lighting is first-come, first-served, and is subject to space availability in the Visitor Center.  There are additional viewing opportunities for the tree-lighting from outside the glass-enclosed hall.

The enchanting Arboretum ornament called “Nature Lover” is a glistening, 5-inch “snowman” who smiles broadly, wears a charming plaid stocking cap that says “The Morton Arboretum” with matching scarf, and features a baby-blue body with “snowflakes.” The hand-painted glass adornment also carries a perky cardinal in his right hand, and a “woodland” tree in his left.

“Families will treasure this ornament for generations,” said Gay Anderson, Arboretum Store Manager. “This is one ornament that’s sure to make the season bright.”

On December 7 during a members-only event in The Arboretum Store, a limited number of “Nature Lover” ornaments will be sold for $48 each, with a Radko representative on hand from 5 – 8 p.m. to personalize your ornament.

If any ornaments remain available following the December 7 event, they will be sold to the general public.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of more than 3,800 kinds of trees, shrubs and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT) and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST). The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630/968-0074 to learn more.

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