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September 12, 2024

Dear Friends of Untermyer Gardens,

Our garden is blessed with bold architectural elements that interact with each other in ever-changing ways. Imagine my surprise when, on August 15, I found the Temple of the Sky’s shadow perfectly centered on the Persian Pool below. And one week later I caught the setting sun as it aligned precisely with the Vista. If we were ancient peoples, we would mark our calendars by these relationships.

It is my pleasure once a year to give a garden tour and update to our wonderful state senator, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who is also the majority leader of the Senate and a close neighbor and good friend of Untermyer Gardens. When we were at the Temple of Love, I told her about the banana trees that the gardeners planted in 2023, with their characteristic huge leaves. They come from Japan and, while hardy in our climate, sadly bear no edible fruit. Without missing a beat, the senator quipped, “Yes, we have no bananas!” Such charm and humor have served her (and us) very well.

Every accomplishment we make at the garden is possible only through the support of many generous donors, large and small. Two years ago, we added an option for automatic monthly donations, and Joyce Murray Sullivan, a longtime friend of the garden and my former neighbor, was among the very first to sign up. She astutely realized that monthly gifts give us a dependable base of support that allows us to better budget our resources. I invited Joyce to share what motivated her to become a monthly donor in the hope that other subscribers to this newsletter will join her—the more the merrier!

When I moved to Yonkers over 30 years ago, I visited Untermyer Park. Looking around, I could tell it was once a spectacular place. Years later, I heard Untermyer was being restored. I was curious to see what had changed and stopped by to visit.

Along with the restoration of the structures and the grounds, it was the blooming of the lotus blossoms in the Walled Garden pool that allowed me to see the beauty and serenity the Conservancy had created. I observed the many visitors like myself sitting under the arbor, exploring, and simply enjoying the garden with their family and friends.

I believe for causes and places that mean something to you, and you have funds, it is important to contribute. I’m a proud resident of Yonkers and a gardener myself and Untermyer Gardens is one of those important places. I believe if I can help in my own small way, my little bit and someone else’s little bit, can make a difference.

I support the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy by choosing to be a monthly donor because I can give more over a twelve-month period than I could if I only made a once-a-year donation. I know my monthly donations will make a valuable impact for this very special place. I hope you’ll consider joining me in supporting this magical place.

Finally, our annual Family Fun Day, which has been enriched and enhanced, is just around the corner on Sunday, September 29. Old favorites like the magic show, kite flying, and the hayride along the Carriage Trail will be supplemented by the rare chance to picnic in the Walled Garden, enjoy a fabulous scavenger hunt, and race rubber ducks in the Rock and Stream Garden—loads of fun for families with children.