LOCALadk Magazine

Countr y and there were many plants that didn't make it past their first season. But over the years, Don and Yvonne found footing and named their home Entayant, meaning "environment" or "to my lodging" in the Algonquin language. They added boardwalks, lawns, gardens, and springs. Today, their estate is a one- of-a-kind nature exhibit and certified butterfly garden. Swings and chairs are strate - gically placed so the viewer can fully experience the celebration of nature and art. In the front garden, speakers pump out classical mu- sic and the pollinators enjoy a variety of Mozart, Bach, and Chopin. "I like good food, nice wine, and nice music," Don explains while showing me the pond and spouting gargoyle. Bamboo grows at the water's edge. Don's gardens reflect both his architect mind and the influence of the many cultures and landscapes he's seen in his trav- els of the world. His designs and inspirations come from the lands he's adventured in, from Germany to Japan. During his time in Eu- rope, he went from being a ser vice man to traveling the countr y in a Volkswagen after his tour. I follow Don through a stunning butterfly garden. I hear the rap - id beating wings of a hummingbird. A few moments later, I spot it sipping nectar from a purple cone flower. We stop by a tree with a bright blue trunk. The tree is the center piece of this section of gar- den. Don explains the tree died and he took a can of spray paint to it. "Art only takes about three minutes and you have something," he chuckles. "A failed plant becomes art." "Do you name your art pieces? " I ask, pen in hand ready to jot down a foreign word that translates to something mystical. Without pause, he responds, "Dead tree." I laugh. I snap a few more photos of the blooming peonies and eye the menacing sky. Thunderheads loom overhead and it looks like it's time to go. Before I turn to leave, I ask Don, "How would you de- scribe this place to someone who has never been here? " "Shangri La." As I walk away, the music deepens, almost on cue with the dark sky. There certainly is an element of humor embedded in the land- scape, though underneath the playfulness there's a sense of ecolog- ical consciousness born of the immersion into the experience. At En- tayant the world is a living theater. I feel like a chipmunk could burst into song and after spending a day in this wonderland, it wouldn't surprise me at all. Before loading my car, I take a few more pictures on top of the 100s I already have. The light is different now and there is a striking yellow peony plant before me. The ruffled petals remind me of a dancer's tutu. But each time I examine the frame, I'm disappointed. The camera is not capturing what I see – and more importantly, what I feel. I put it away and stand for a moment to take it all in. The music crescen- dos, butterflies ride the wind, and petals sway in the coming storm. If there were seven wonders of the Adirondacks, this would be one of them. Entayant Gardens will run an all-day event on June 23, 2018 (weather permitting. Alternate date, June 24th): the first-ever sale of peony plants. Also offered will be a workshop on all aspects of planting and care and a garden tour covering the more than 400 peonies on site, new fountain, stream, waterfall and water lily pond, as well as six other gardens. Entayant also features a new gift shop with architect-designed items. For more information contact entayant@gmail .com.

• Cover