White Plains Beautification Foundation Honored By Westchester County Board of Legislators

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 13, 2006

Contact: Betsy DeSoye, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3277; (914) 275-6031 (cell)

White Plains Beautification Foundation Board Members: Barbara Ramsdell, Barbara Vrooman,Dorothy Schere,Roland Barnes,Jeanne Wilcox, Mary Merenda, Charlotte Szabo

At its October 10 meeting, the Westchester County Board of Legislators honored the White Plains Beautification Foundation. For over forty years, the Beautification Foundation has brought the beauty of nature to White Plains, truly creating a “City in a Park” and in so doing, enhancing the quality of life for all those who reside in and visit White Plains, the seat of Westchester County government.

“The Beautification Foundation deserves the credit for creating a strong tradition of pleasant and attractive streetscapes in White Plains,” said County Board Chair Bill Ryan (D-I-WF, White Plains). “The group’s work not only enhances the quality of life for city residents and those who work here but creates a great first impression of the county for visitors. That benefits everyone in the county.”

Chairman Ryan and County Legislator Lois Bronz (D-I-WF, White Plains) presented a Proclamation to Beautification Foundation President, Dorothy Schere. The Proclamation cited many of the Foundation’s accomplishments including its highly successful Adopt-A-Park program, co-chaired by Barbara Vrooman and Nanette Bourne, and the development of fifty “welcoming gateway” and other gardens throughout the city.

The legislators also lauded the group’s ability to continue its status as an all volunteer group for over forty years. Ryan noted that two of the Foundation’s original incorporators, Brian Wallach and Marge Priestly, are still active today.

While the Foundation’s projects were too numerous to list, Chairman Ryan mentioned several that were very important to the county’s work that put the Foundation and the county in a close working relationship.

“Not many people may appreciate how influential the Beautification Foundation was in the county’s $5 million improvement of Mamaroneck Avenue,” said Ryan. “Their collaboration with the county ensured that the traditional character of Mamaroneck Avenue, defined by its grass medians, flowering trees and plants, continued.” Ryan also said that quick thinking on the part of the Beautification Foundation is what caused the county to replace the blacktop median on Bryant Avenue with a grass median. He noted that the organization also helped the county’s efforts to improve the general appearance of the grounds of the Michaelian Office Building. “Needless to say, the Beautification Foundation has a clear voice about its mission and lending its expertise is tremendously helpful in important projects like these,” Ryan added.

In addition, Ryan noted that the Beautification Foundation enlivened the County Courthouse area by working with the Sculpture Guild to bring recent works by world-renowned sculptors to the outdoor plaza and donating the prized Schulmerich Carillon.

“The White Plains Beautification Foundation stands as a model for all communities, and is, in fact, mentoring other communities to start their own Beautification Foundations,” Ryan said. “In recognition of its vision, commitment and hard work, I am joined by my colleagues on this Board in thanking the Beautification Foundation for enriching the lives of us all by proclaiming October 10, 2006 as “White Plains Beautification Foundation Day” in Westchester County."