December 4, 2009
The Chappaqua Garden Club mourns the loss of its immediate past president, Judy Wintermuth, who passed away Dec. 1.
Judy’s accomplishments with the Garden Club were myriad. Under her watch, the club by-laws were amended to streamline the requirements for membership and a new associate class of membership was introduced for the “time challenged.” Her goal was to make membership compatible with the demands of modern life.
She was an avid student of floral design, in particular ikebana, and motivated the membership to participate in the floral design workshops offered within the club and at other local clubs. Armed with newfound enthusiasm, the club staged a flower show in June 2007 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of its founding. At her urging, in October of this year, the club staged a show at the Horace Greeley House in which she fully participated, creating the program for the show and entering several floral designs.
In the area of landscape design, Judy had a vision of the Chappaqua Garden Club permanently beautifying the Town of New Castle. Her term of office saw the successful installation of the pocket park on Greeley Avenue and the mass daffodil planting around the Duck Pond. The daffodil project continued this year in other areas around town. Judy also worked with town employees on a proposal for the club to design perennial plantings at key triangle intersections in town. While the proposal is still a work in progress, the club hopes to begin planting in the spring.
Gardeners know plantings take time to reach full fruition. Judy persevered in her quest to beautify the town knowing her time was short. Be inspired by her living legacy and the life well lived behind it.
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