-Nolan Marciniec My father was, for the better part of his life, a “game warden,” as the position was called back then. Some of my fondest childhood memories were accompanying him “on patrol” in his State-issued Jeep on the back roads of several counties. He pointed out a lone American elm that survived the blight. He noted that those tamaracks were planted by the CCC in the 1930s and that they shed their needles in the fall. He stopped to call my attention to animal tracks in the snow. He talked more on these rides than he ever did at home. One day, on what is now Lape Road, I sat in the driver’s seat and he taught me to drive. I shifted (on the column) while he steered. Fred Lape, the Arboretum’s founder, appeared on the stoop of the Farm House and waved to us. A man close to nature, a contemplative man, Dad loved the Arboretum. Dad passed away last year, just a few weeks short of his 95th birthday. We thought it was fitting to remember him by dedicating a tree in his memory at the Arboretum. Working with Executive Director Fred Breglia, we decided to replace one of Lape’s original plantings, a Bristlecone pine (Pinus aristata), and Fred helped us choose an appropriate site in the Arboretum’s Pinetum. Landis staff planted and mulched the tree and installed a memorial plaque well in advance of our family’s gathering. We were assured that the tree will be maintained in perpetuity. One encounters other memorial trees at the Arboretum, and perhaps one thinks, as I do, of how these trees pay a living tribute to those who are no longer with us. A Camperdown elm (Ulmus ‘Camperdownii’) for Sonia Javarone, a longtime member and supporter of the Arboretum. A white oak (Quercus alba), dedicated by the La Jeunesse family in memory of their son Jeremy, who had a special fondness for the Arboretum and an admiration for the Great Oak. A sugar maple (Acer saccharum) to remember Ferdinand Breglia Sr., the director’s father. There are other ways of remembering a loved one at the Arboretum. Josephine Micillo is remembered by pet stations donated by Nancy Stuebner, Landis Office Manager, in memory of a fellow dog lover. Mrs. Micillo was also remembered by a garden cart used at plant sales, donated by her daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Gus Polli, Trustee and volunteers. It’s the one with the orange wheels and golden plaque etched with dogwood blooms. The generosity of some Arboretum members – the Raymonds, the Finkbeiners, and others – are remembered by plaques on the structures that they helped build and maintain. Many members have included Landis in their requests for donations after a family member’s (or friend’s) funeral and in their wills. Information about memorials is available on the Landis website (www.landisarboretum.org) or click here to view the brochure. As our loved ones have enriched our lives, so we too can enrich the lives of all who visit the Landis Arboretum.
2 Comments
Anne Donnelly
10/19/2017 09:34:56 pm
Enjoyed the reminisces of your father, and it is such a lovely and fitting memorial. I know some people get comfort from coming by to sit on the Memorial benches dedicated to a loved one.
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Wilma Jozwiak
10/20/2017 05:19:05 am
I can’t think of a better place to sit and remember.
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