By Dan Murphy
Joan Dituri has lived in her Bronxville Lane home, near Sarah Lawrence College, for 32 years. When she first moved to Yonkers, she planted an evergreen tree next to her home. The tree grew so large that her next door neighbor began to complain and she realized that it had to be taken down.
For Joan, the tree had become part of her family, and she was hoping that it could be used by someone as a Christmas Tree so that “it would have a second life.” Joan contacted her City Councilman, Mike Breen, to see if he had an ideas.
Joan asked around but couldn’t find anyone, or any organization interested. So she began to make arrangements to have the tree taken down. The day before the tree removal company was to arrive, Councilman Breen called and said that he found an interested party.
The Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, which has created over the past six years, one of the most interesting Holiday Light displays in Westchester. I had always wanted to take my wife to Untermyer, so we both made a visit last week.
We found Stephen Byrns, President of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy on hand welcoming visitors. Byrns has spent the past ten years of his life bringing Untermyer Gardens back to life, as it was when Samuel Untermyer build the walled gardens for his wife Minnie.
Spread over 43 acres, the gardens is a marvel, and a peaceful place at any time of the year. This year, for their Grand Illumination, Untemyer Gardens Conservancy has holiday music for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, because as Byrns puts it “this is for everyone.”
While we were enjoying the lights, we noticed two ladies near the tree in the middle of the walled garden. One of them was Ruth Dituri. I was glad to meet her, and she reminded me that this was her tree, and how proud she was that it was being put to good use, and the enjoyment of everyone visiting Untermyer Gardens.
“This tree has been part of my life for 32 years. To see it here fills my heart with joy, and the fact that it will be shared with others is a wonderful way for it to go. It was such a beautiful evergreen, it was hard to have it taken down,” said Dituri. “With all of the storms we have here in Westchester, people should remember to try and replant for the trees that they lose.”
She thanked Councilman Mike Breen and Stephen Byrns for accepting her tree as a gift. “Councilman Breen was wonderful and very responsive. He knew how important this was to me, and he shared my passion to find a home for it. He made it happen.”
Couuncilman Breen said, “I was happy to help Joan out and find a home for her tree for the Holidays. She contacted me and I contacted the Yonekrs Parks Department, and the tree crew came for Untermyer.
“I thihk the tree is better than the ones we see at Rockefeller Center. It’s a beautiful thing with a great story. It deserved to have a second life Its going out in style. I try to put people together and help them make a connection. I was happy to help,” said Breen.
If you miss traveling down to Manhattan this Christmas, and walking through Central Park. Untermyer Gardens is the next best thing to do. I would recommend it, along with dinner at Harvest on the Hudson in Hastings, just up the road. Reservations are required by visting UntermyerGardens.org.
Thanks to Joan Dituri, Councilman Mike Breen and Stephen Byrns for giving us some Holiday Happiness!.
