| VOLUME XXXI No. 31 | Narrowsburg, NY | August 4 - 10, 2005 |
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Bread, milk… and flowers The Cutting Garden views flowers as one of life’s necessities By Mary Greene YOUNGSVILLE — Along Route 52 in Youngsville, there is a brilliant display of color, shape and form that has folks in their cars slowing down for a look. This is The Cutting Garden, owned by Anne Hart and husband Fritz Mayer (paired with their antique and home gift store, Domesticities). Customers are invited to roam the grassy walkways between banks of rudbeckia, sunflowers, verbena and many other luscious blooms of summer, choosing what they wish to bring home. “We have over a hundred varieties of flowers growing here,” said Hart. In particular, she is excited about the introduction of lisianthus to their garden. “The original plant is native to Texas, and it’s blue. It’s been bred and bred and bred and now comes in a multiple of colors. They’re fluffy, rose-like blooms, and they are gorgeous.” This is the second year of operation for Hart and Mayer. “More people know about us, and more people are coming in,” said Mayer. “Gardens and antiques,” he said, “have a natural fit together, as free-time activities, whether you are from the country or the city.” What sorts of people stop by The Cutting Garden? People come who have an event to celebrate, or to just see what’s growing, to get ideas for their own space and to bring flowers home. During one hot humid spell in July, the garden was visited by a Hassidic man from Bethel who said he would return with his children. It was visited by local residents who stopped after buying fresh vegetables from Wild Roots Farm or area farmers markets. Several couples attending their high school reunion came by, as did a statuesque blonde from Manhattan who had just completed a flower-arranging course. A mother and father came with their daughter, who had a butterfly net. “Strictly catch and release,” her father said, referring to the butterflies. The Cutting Garden was also visited by John and Cathy Evans, all the way from Ohio, who came with Cathy’s sister Connie Weaver to buy a bouquet for her niece, Blythe Evans, who was playing a role in the Forestburgh Playhouse’s production of “West Side Story.” Linda Corshen, from nearby Shandalee Road, came by with her friend Sue Winkler from New York City. “I pass this garden every day,” said Corshen. “I like to see what’s growing.” Both women were intrigued by the lisianthus. “One day,” said Winkler, “I aspire to having a garden like this, just fantastic sweeps of color.” Dorothy Hartz, of Fremont Center, visited the garden for the second time this year. She came to find a bouquet “as a gesture of appreciation for someone I’m working on a project with.” She likes the freshness and high quality of the blooms at The Cutting Garden and, she said, “I don’t have to do any of the work.” Hartz, a native to Sullivan County who moved away and returned after 30 years, said, “When I was growing up in Callicoon, to travel to Youngsville would have been an extraordinary event. People just didn’t move around much. I love seeing the way the area has taken off, while still retaining its small town sense of community and the natural beauty.” Hart is pleased that people see The Cutting Garden as a source of flowers for occasions such as weddings and anniversaries. But she hopes people will also come to purchase flowers just to put on their table. “Americans buy and enjoy cut flowers much less than Europeans,” said Hart. “It’s not something we consider a necessity. In other countries, they do. It’s like, one has to buy bread, milk—and flowers. The goal is to get people used to having flowers in their lives as an inexpensive object of beauty to enjoy.” Sabrina Artel, of Liberty, agrees. She hopes to come by often, and may take advantage of the half-price-all-summer deal on flowers, offered to customers who buy a $10 vase in Domesticities. “I don’t have any flowers around me,” she said, “and I need flowers around me.” Home stores in Jeffersonville and Youngsville The Jeffersonville/Youngsville area in Sullivan County, NY, is becoming known for its rich selection of home stores, offering quality home and garden products and antiques. Most have opened in the last five years. Here is a guide: The Cutting Garden and Domesticities 4055 St. Route 52, Youngsville, NY 845/482-3333 Specializing in affordable antiques, fine home and garden items, local pottery and crafts and seasonal cut flowers. Thursday through Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Blue Victorian 4874 St. Route 52, Jeffersonville, NY 845/482-5544 Specializing in gifts, antiques, local crafts and fine art. Thursday through Monday 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pete’s Antique Barn Center Street in Jeffersonville Specializing in a large selection of home and farm antiques. Global Home 4893 St. Rt. 52, Jeffersonville 845/482-3652 Specializing in furniture, housewares and gifts from around the world. Thursday through Monday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Secret Garden 4895 St. Rt. 52 Jeffersonville 845/482-5195 Specializing in jewelry, frames, Bearington bears, candles, soap, antiques and collectibles. Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Goode & Plenty 4893 St. Rt. 52 Jeffersonville 845/482-9894 Specializing in gifts and collectibles. Little Duck House 4893 St. Rt. 52, Jeffersonville 845/482-5900 Specializing in children’s toys, clothing and custom linens. Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. BridgeWater Mercantile 4917 St. Rt. 52, Jeffersonville 845/482-4044 Specializing in home design. The Rustic Cottage 4938 St. Rt. 52, Jeffersonville 845/482-4123 Specializing in hand-crafted twig and mosaic rustic furniture, quilts, linen, pillows, throws, candles and cottage-inspired antiques. Monday through Thursday and Sunday. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday through Saturday. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
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| TRR photo by Mary Greene | |
| Dorothy Hartz with her bouquet of flowers, fresh-picked at the Cutting Garden. (Click for larger version) |
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| TRR photo by Mary Greene | |
| The Cutting Garden co-owner Fritz Mayer, in his workshop, refinishing an antique high chair. (Click for larger version) |
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| TRR photo by Mary Greene | |
| Cutting Garden co-owner Anne Hart “talking flowers” with customer Al Kohout, from New York City. (Click for larger version) |
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| TRR photo by Mary Greene | |
| Alyce Barr and her daughter Magdalana, from Brooklyn, pick a bouquet at the Cutting Garden during a visit with their mother, Rose Barr, of Hurleyville. (Click for larger version) |
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| TRR photo by Mary Greene | |
| Scott Lane, of Pasadena, CA, and Sally Ann Parsons, of the Beechwoods, pause to admire a display of gomphrena at the Cutting Garden. (Click for larger version) |
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Entire contents © 2005 by the author(s) and Stuart Communications, Inc.