Tuckahoe Beautification Committee Prepares for New Season

The Tuckahoe Beautification Committee (TBC) is an important adjunct to positive public relations in the Village of Tuckahoe.  Working with several different mayors, several village boards, and the department of public works, it has evolved into an impressive collaborative effort for the benefit of all residents.  Together they have created and continue to maintain the most impressive outdoor aesthetics that many towns and villages aspire to duplicate.  Over the years, many Tuckahoe residents have become actively involved in the Tuckahoe Beautification Committee simply because of the love and pride they feel for their village.  TBC depends entirely upon fundraisers and private donations to maintain the quality of beauty in the Village of Tuckahoe.      

During the spring, TBC is responsible for all the plantings and flowering baskets. Most renowned are the hanging pink geranium baskets which adorn the village each spring into summer.  They have become beautification’s “signature” plant. In the early years, the members would painstakingly plant each basket and container throughout the village.  Today, the baskets and containers are planted by professionals. After all planting is completed; the DPW maintains the watering throughout the summer.  They are equipped with special watering devices and along with a special soil moisture retaining mixture, the plants last into the early fall.  Burgundy signs with gold lettering are strategically placed throughout the village to designate village boundaries, as well as identify various civic associations and the two train stations within the village limits.

Once the season changes, the baskets are removed and seasonal mums or cabbages are planted for the fall.  These are noticeable at Crestwood and Tuckahoe train stations and in front of various storefronts throughout the village.  

As the Christmas holidays approach, TBC is busy purchasing double-sided lamppost wreaths, giant red bows, and tiny colored and clear lights to decorate the large pine trees in the village.  The DPW is credited with meticulously stringing the lights so perfectly on the trees.  These are the most beautifully decorated lighted trees in the county.

The Main Street Bridge was also the collaborative effort of the TBC and the Village of Tuckahoe. Instead of a metal replacement bridge, plans were drawn to incorporate brick, granite and slate into the design.  Decorative and functional lighting was installed as well as planters.  Each season, the planters are filled with various flowers.  The bridge is a pleasing sight as the many trucks, buses, cars and pedestrians travel across it each day.  

In September 2013, through the joint efforts of the Lt. Sam DiRienzo VFW Post #2285, Village of Tuckahoe officials and the Tuckahoe DPW, the bridge was dedicated to the mothers of Tuckahoe military personnel who never returned home to their families; it is now the Gold Star Mothers Memorial Bridge.

In 1993, the TBC purchased clocks at the Crestwood and Tuckahoe train stations.  After many years of sporadic service, the clocks were deemed not repairable.  Since replacement cost was exorbitant, TBC made the decision not to replace the clocks.  The Generoso Pope Foundation/David Pope, then donated two standing clocks; one at the Tuckahoe train station and the other at Crestwood train station.  These beautiful timepieces are now viewed and enjoyed by all residents and visitors to the village.  The Tuckahoe Beautification Committee is grateful for the many years of encouragement and financial assistance from Tuckahoe residents, merchants and supporters.

The hanging geraniums can be purchased each year at the annual Crestwood Street Fair.  This year, the Crestwood Street Fair is Sunday, June 1 - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Crestwood Plaza.  In addition to many vendors, there will be live music – Jazz Band by Blues Artist David Gerald and many kid-friendly features including - sand art, face painting, inflatable rides - double slide, single slide, jumping castle, obstacle course- and lots of food for everyone to enjoy!