By Neely Bower

Apr. 28, 2021: Last week, I was leaving a parking place at Kraft and Pondfield, and I noticed a young woman picking tulips at that intersection. I proceeded to get into a verbal dispute on why she should not be doing this. Her reply, "no one will miss a few from all of these." My harangue got me nowhere, and moving on with horns blowing behind me, I decided the tulips needed some publicity.

If you have driven through the Village this spring, you have surely noticed the impressive array of daffodils and tulips. This show is all brought to us through your generous contributions to the Bronxville Beautification Council.

The Council’s mission is “to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. To this end, the BBC relies solely on generous contributions from Bronxville residents, merchants, and surrounding areas to purchase and plant, with the assistance of the Bronxville Department of Public Works, seasonal flowering plants and bushes and to sponsor larger projects of benefit to the community at large. “

The daffodils we owe to the late Mary Rose Nihlen, horticulturist, who lived just outside the Village and was on the board of the BBC. For several years she gathered together all the strong backs she knew and had us weed, plant, and re-plant daffodils on the underpass. After several years of hard work, I wish she could see the results of her labors.

The tulips are replanted every year by Gedney Farms nursery. Tulips tend to come back smaller and maybe not at all the next year. Also, a clean slate is needed for the BBC to plant the summer annuals.

Hat’s off to Gary Reetz and his committee at the Bronxville Beautification Council. They are always looking for volunteers among villagers. If you are interested, please contact Gary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please give to the Council when you receive their solicitation next week in the mail. They also have a new website, where donations are graciously accepted.

And, please don’t pick the flowers!

Photos by H. George