A quiet tribute was held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at McFaul Environmental Center for Sally Ditton, who passed away in 2015. Sally was a Master Gardener, Member of the Wyckoff Area Garden Club, Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club, Hosta Society, and Rock Garden Society. She also helped decorate Skylands at Ringwood, NJ for the holidays and gardened at the Environmental Center in Wyckoff. Sally was 56.
A park bench was placed and a Korean Mountain Ash was planted in her memory. More than 30 friends and fellow gardeners attended the tribute. WAGC President Eileen Avia welcomed and thanked everyone for their donations toward the purchase of the bench and tree. Janet Schulz told of Sally and her husband Bob’s journey from England to the U.S., their love of gardening, and the friends she made along the way. Bob thanked everyone for attending and told a story about a hummingbird that appeared and hovered at the window of their home the day following his wife’s death. The tiny flittering birds were always found in Sally’s English inspired garden, but none had ever flown so close to the picture window. A sure sign, perhaps, that Sally’s spirit is still tending the garden!
The dedication ended with all singing one of Sally’s favorite songs, In an English Country Garden. Refreshments followed.
The next time you visit the “wildlife center” be sure to walk the path near the picnic benches. Walk about fifty feet east to find Sally’s bench, sit for a spell, and look for hummingbirds. Ahhh, lovely.
WAGC President Eileen Avia welcoming the attendees.
WAGC Member Janet Schulz paying tribute to her friend Sally Ditton. Click to read it: Sally’s Train
Bob Ditton sharing his hummingbird story.
The Korean Mountain Ash and park bench dedicated to Sally Ditton’s love of life and gardening.
Photos of Sally displayed on her bench. Photo credit: Lauren Faustini
The bench plaque reads simply, “lovely.”
Friend and fellow gardeners singing one of Sally’s favorite songs, “In an English Country Garden.”
Photo credit: Linda Vreeland
Click on image above to view lyrics.
Click HERE to listen to the melody.
Thank you to the McFaul Environmental Center for planting the tree and placing the bench.
Mountain Ash Thrives at Environmental Center
In 2018, an American Ash was planted at the McFaul Environmental Center in honor of Sally Ditton, a beloved Member of the Wyckoff Area Garden Club and lover of nature and the great outdoors. A bench was also placed near the tree with a plaque inscribed with her name and Lovely, a word Sally used many times to describe one’s garden or just one flower or plant. Below are photos of the tree as it appears three years later.
The next time you are walking in the Center, look for Sally’s tree and bench and sit a spell. The word, lovely will surely come to mind. The McFaul Environmental Center is located at 150 Crescent Avenue, Wyckoff. It opens for visitors at 8:30 a.m.
American Mountain Ash
Commonly called Rowan tree, the Mountain Ash grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-6. It typically thrives in full sun and has a 24 – 36 inches growth rate per year. Once full grown they can reach a height of 20 – 40 feet and 8 – 20 feet in spread. The Mountain Ash does well or is tolerant in well-drained clay and loamy, sandy soil. In fall, expect to see the leaves transition to a beautiful hue of yellow, orange and red. With proper conditions they will produce fruits that are edible to humans. Be ready to see a variety of wildlife drawn to the Mountain Ash as they can attract songbirds, deer and small mammals. Once in bloom the flowers will be white in color.
Sally’s Bench
Mountain Ash
Sally’s Tree and Bench