A clear, cool
evening provided the perfect setting for the inaugural “In the Garden” event,
co-chaired by Amy Gallen and Heather Langham, at John Jay Homestead on Friday,
June 11. Over 130 guests arrived in elegant spring finery, strolling along the
newly restored garden pathways, sampling local foods provided by Jonathan
Pratt. The Sundial Garden, redesigned by Varner Redmon of the Bedford Garden
Club in 2009, looked magnificent, as did the Fountain Garden with its new
plantings and gravel paths. Antique garden furniture, loaned by Phillis and
John Warden, was perfect for the occasion. Guests could easily imagine Jay
family members playing and cavorting in the gardens.
The occasion,
sponsored by Houlihan Lawrence, was an opportunity for Friends of John Jay
Homestead to honor the contributions of all the garden volunteers who work at
the Homestead—including the Bedford Garden Club (BGC), the N.Y. Unit of the
Herb Society of America, Hopp Ground Garden Club and Rusticus. “In the Garden”
gave the garden club members a well-deserved chance to enjoy a delightful and
elegant evening in the formal gardens.
The evening
began with a ceremony dedicating the oak tree, planted in 1994 by the
Conservation Committee of the Bedford Garden Club, to former Friends’ chairman
G. Palmer LeRoy. The oak sapling from the “Bedford Oak” was replanted near the
outside corner of the Formal Gardens, a project overseen by former Friends’
president and chairman Louise Talbot. A plaque commemorating Mr. LeRoy was inset
on a rock next to the rapidly-growing oak tree. Friends’ Chairman S. Mackintosh
Pulsifer spoke to the group about Mr. LeRoy’s many contributions to the Friends
and the Homestead, particularly his talent for handpicking dedicated volunteers
to help support the Homestead and become involved in its preservation.
Luminaries among
the guests included State Assemblyman Robert Castelli from the 89th
District, who awarded citations to representatives from each garden club, and
Dr. Lucy Waletzky, Chair of the NYS Council of Parks. Another notable guest,
who journeyed from Charlottesville, VA, for the occasion, was Libby Mossman,
former Friends’ Landscape & Gardens Chair. Ms. Mossman was instrumental in
making many significant improvements to the landscape, including the
restoration of the ice pond.
Friends’
Vice-president Laurie Lewis spoke to attendees about the dedication of all
garden club members, lauding their contributions. She also praised the Friends’
newest garden partner, InterGenerate, a group that is maintaining the new
Community Teaching Garden, in the foundation of the glass house next to the
Herb Garden.
The
garden–themed silent auction, organized by co-chair Amy Gallen, featured items
donated by Amanzi Tea, Bedford Gourmet, Brendan Kelly Tree Service, Arturo’s
Tavern—Camille and Tony Branca, Bubble & Tweet, Consider the Cook, Tori
& Lloyd Cox, Fine Lines of Katonah, Fountainhead Wines, Mary Ann Hawley,
Honey Bee Farm, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Robin McCormick Jewelry, Mill
River Supply, Mrs. Monogram, Kathy Moreau, Perennial Gardens, SavATree and The
Perennial Chef. In addition, attendees bought “leaves” for the ‘Giving Tree,’
an espaliered apple tree (trained to grow flat against a wall) donated by
Brendan Kelly, to help fund garden projects such as daffodil planting, hedge
trimming, a new garden gate and plants for the Woodland Walk, Ice Pond area and
Fountain Garden.
Click Here to view photos
of “In the Garden.”
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