Untermyer 2023 #AtoZChallenge #WordlessWednesday

It seems, every U day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, that I return to a public park in Yonkers, New York that contains one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever been in.  

Here's a brief history (I know, it's Wordless Wednesday, but I think we need some background) of what is now called Untermyer Park and Gardens.  You can, of course, skip to the photos first.

In 1865, John Meyer, who owned the largest hat factory in the world at the time, purchased 33 acres of land in Yonkers, New York.  He had a 99 room mansion called Greystone built for him. But his fortunes reversed and Meyer had to move and offer the property for rent.

Greystone was rented, in 1879, to a man by the name of Samuel J. Tilden (if you study United States history, you will know the name of Samuel J. Tilden).Tilden built 13 greenhouses in the property but died in 1886.  Much of his estate went to fund public libraries in Yonkers and in nearby New York City.

In 1899, at the auction of the Greystone property, it was purchased by Samuel Untermyer, a lawyer and civic leader born in Lynchburg, Virginia. As a teenager, he and his family moved to New York City, where he rose in the legal ranks and became wealthy.  In 1916, Untermyer started the construction of a massive garden complex at Greystone.

Untermyer was a strong opponent of the Nazi rise to power in Germany in 1933 and spent the next few years doing what he could to sound the alarm to the American public.  At the same time, he built a garden renowned in the world.  But, his health declined, and he died in 1940.  The city of Yonkers agreed to take on about 43 acres of what had become a 150 acre complex.

After 1940, the gardens declined and eventually fell into ruin.  But, in 2011, restoration began. When I first visited them in 2015 with my spouse and his cousin who lived in Yonkers all her life, they were still mainly in ruins.  Unfortunately, I can not find the photos I took back then. 

I've visited several times since.  The last time was a brief visit in June of 2023, on the way home from a wedding in New York City.  Restoration work has blocked several of my favorite views, but there was still plenty to photograph.

Tall trees.  My iPhone plant ID built in app says these are pedunculate oaks.

Part of the garden wall.

Gardens.

Fountains.

I believe this is called the Temple of the Sky.

Mosaics.

One of the blooming shrubs - common ninebark.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for #WordlessWednesday.

 "U" day for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Gardens, History, Art, and the Unexpected.  Only five more days to go!

Tioga County New York #AtoZChallenge

Welcome to Tioga County, New York, the county just west of the Binghamton, New York area.  We are visiting Tioga County virtually today, partially because I enjoy visiting its county seat, the Village of Owego, and partially because there are a lot of interesting things to discover.

Let's start our journey in the Village of Owego.

One year, there was some remodeling and I took this picture of art posted on a wall built during the reconstruction.

One of the village's historic houses.

An antique piano.

A little hard to see, but this is the Baker Foreman's Fountain.  This is a memorial to a fireman's son who was killed in an accident in 1913.  The fountain was restored in 2019.  This photo was taken in October 2019, I believe shortly after the renovation was finished.  I couldn't get close to it because it was still roped off.

Each year, my spouse and I visit the Tioga County Historical Society in late November and early December.  One year, I found this picture hanging in the basement, where the offices are (I was visiting a seasonal gift shop down there).  In talking to staff, I was told this is a colorized Matthew Brady print f an 1863 photo of Abraham Lincoln.  What a find!  (The piano above also belongs to the Society.)

Let's also visit the rural areas of Tioga County.  These next photos were taken at a couple of farms during an open house event.  

I believe this was taken at Twin Brook farms near Owego.

Tioga County chickens.

Englebert Farms in Nichols, New York, during an open house several years ago.  This farm was the first certified organic dairy farm in the United States.  It is still family operated by a family who has been in this country since at least 1848.  Their farm store is a treasure.  This picture was taken near or at the farm.

Art, history, an unexpected find in a basement, and scenery - I hope you enjoyed today's post.

"T" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme: Gardens, history, art, and the unexpected".

Southern (Rock) Songs #MusicMovesMe #AtoZChallenge

It's Monday and it's time for music!  It's also "S" day for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

Let's introduce the Music Moves me bloggers:  We blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post may be removed, or may  be labeled "No Music".)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and, last but not least, me.

Every other week, we have a theme.  On alternate weeks, we can blog on any music theme we want.  Today our theme is "build your song picks around singers, songwriters, or musicians born in April".  For that, please see the last song below.

However, first, it's time for another induction into Rock and Roll Heaven.

Dickey Betts, born Forrest Richard Betts, was a guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band.  Betts died last Thursday at the age of 80.  The causes of death were cancer and COPD.

Because this is "S" day on Blogging from A t Z, I would have tried to find songs beginning with S, but due to time constraints, I'll do that with another artist first, just to confuse all of you.

So I picked two songs beginning with "S" from a group that has suffered its own tragedies.  Here is Leonard Skynyrd and their 1974 hit Sweet Home Alabama.

Leonard Skynyrd again with Simple Man.

And now, time to for Dickey Betts and his style of Southern rock.

Perhaps his best known commercial song - Ramblin' Man, from 1973.

The instrumental Jessica, from 1973.

This song,  Bougainvillea, was co-written with Don Johnson, the future co-star of Miami Vice and dates from after the breakup of the Allman Brothers Band.  Betts formed a group called Dickey Betts and Great Southern and released this in 1977.  The sound quality isn't the best here, but I liked the B&W vibe.

And now, for my April birthday contribution:  Guitarist Michael Poulsen, from the Danish band Volbeat, celebrated his 49th birthday on April 1.  And that's no April Fool!

I'm a fan of several Volbeat songs, including this one.  Not Southern rock, but the title begins with S and Poulsen co-wrote it:  from 2012, Still Counting. 

You didn't expect that last song, did you?

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me, which will probably be next Sunday.

"S" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

Big Box Small Scissors #ShadowshotSunday

 Friday, I ordered a pair of small scissors from a local office supply store.  They had to be mailed to me because they were out of stock at the store.

They came yesterday.  I'm happy about the young woman in the store who gave me excellent service and the store that provided quick shipping at no extra charge.

But not so happy about the box they came in.  A little too big, perhaps? Isn't Earth Day tomorrow?

Joining up with #ShadowshotSunday at the blog of Lisa's Garden Adventure.

We'd love to have you come out of the shadows and join Lisa and other bloggers who participate.  It's fun, and I think you'll find other blog posts on Lisa's blogs that are well worth the read.

Tomorrow, the Blogging from A to Z Challenge resumes with the letter S. 

Rochester (New York) Redux #AtoZChallenge

 Rochester, New York, is New York State's fourth largest city, with a population of about 211,000.  It was the birthplace of a number of businesses known worldwide, including Eastman Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Lomb.  

A number of famous people made Rochester their home, including social reformer, writer, newspaper publisher, and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (who started his life in slavery) and abolitionist, women's rights activist and suffragist (including an arrest for daring to vote in a Presidential election) Susan B. Anthony.  

Yes, I've blogged about Rochester for Blogging from A to Z before, but this city deserves another mention.

Today, I want to take you to two parts of Rochester - the historic East End and one of the United States' first public arboretums, Highland Park.

The historic Little Theatre, which opened in October of 1921, and, today, shows indie and other movies.

I now have an ID on this East End building I featured in my "K" A to Z post, thanks to Tom at Tom the Backroads Traveler:  "The Hiram Sibley Building was built in 1925 at the corner of East Avenue and Alexander Street in Rochester, New York. It was named in his honor by his son Hiram Watson Sibley, and designed by Shepley, Bulfinch and Abbott of Boston."  (Hiram Sibley, among other things, was a founder of, and first president of, Western Union.  Are any of my readers old enough to remember telegrams?)

One of many decorations on the outside of the East End garage.

Let's move to Highland Park.  These pictures were taken April 9.

Outside the Lamberton Conservatory, which we visited in 2016.  It's well worth the time.  Unfortunately we were on our way out of Rochester and didn't have time to visit this time.

However, here is a picture I took inside in 2016. 

The glacial terrain of Highland Park makes for beautiful hills and valleys.  Rochester, like many other places, is ahead of what should be blooming at this time of year.

Weeping cherry.

Highland Park is known for its Lilac Festival each May.  I wouldn't be surprised if they have lilacs in bloom before the end of the month.  In fact, for April Fools Day, they posted on social media that their lilacs were in full bloom.  I hope they didn't trick anyone out of the area!

Hopefully, I'll see their lilacs in bloom one day.  I think I was last there for the lilacs nearly 30 years ago.

"R" day at the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

Queens #SkywatchFriday #AtoZChallenge

 In June of 2023, my spouse and I made a short trip to Queens (one of the five boroughs of New York City) to attend a wedding.  Let me take you along for some pictures of the sky, and also a renowned botanical garden.

 Sky pictures for Skywatch Friday:  Welcome to Queens. 

Along the highway.  Many people who visit New York City only see the tall buildings of Manhattan. There's a lot more to the city.

For example, Queens neighborhoods. This one, according to my phone, is called Fresh Meadows-Utopia, which may lead me to a post another time.  Meanwhile, enjoy all these foods jammed in together on one block. So New York City.

Finally, a plane against the sky.  The Queens Botanical Gardens is along LaGuardia Airport's flight path, so it is noisy.  Quite noisy.

For the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, pictures from the Queens Botanical Gardens.

They are noted for their roses, which were in full bloom.

More roses.

Potted plants

"Q" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.

Also joining Yogi and other skywatching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.

Pollinator Pleasing #AtoZChallenge

For today, let's visit a pollinator garden on the edge of downtown Binghamton, New York.

Why a pollinator garden?

Sometimes, alas, Nature's creatures need a little help from humans.  It's not because Nature's creatures are helpless, but, rather, because we change destroy the environments they need.  Hence, this Pollinator Friendly Garden fills an increasingly important need.  Even in a downtown.  No, especially in a downtown.

Let's take a look at this garden, which we visited during a music festival in September of 2023.

New England asters, a fall flower.

Salvia, and ornamental grass.

Goldenrod against a blue sky.

Zinnias.  In a normal year, I would have seen monarch butterflies, but I didn't see one.  Not one.

One last look.

It doesn't take much room to create a pollinator friendly garden.  Even if you have a small urban plot of land there may be something you can grow, including a lot of ornamental flowers:  alyssum, black-eyed Susan, cosmos, lavender, zinnias, and more.

 "P" day at the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme Gardens, History, Art and The Unexpected.