Celebrated on the last Friday in April in the U.S., Arbor Day, much like Earth Day, is a holiday that celebrates nature.  A day of optimism for the planet, Arbor Day is a time to observe, appreciate, and plant trees.  Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1872 as a way to encourage farmers to plant and care …
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Azaleas are flowering shrubs in the genus Rhododendron, a large family of shallow-rooted plants.  All North American species of azaleas are deciduous, shedding their leaves in the fall.  Brightly colored, azaleas come in just about every color-red, orange, pink, purple or white.  Many varieties are even fragrant, carrying a rich lily-like scent with clover overtones. Azaleas grow …
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Making end-of-life decisions isn’t easy. Death is a topic that many people find uncomfortable and as a result, often avoid it entirely. At Woodlawn Cemetery, our experienced staff encourages our neighbors in the Bronx to take the time to formulate their final wishes, for their own peace of mind and that of their family. Many …
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Before jazz beats filled the streets of Midtown Manhattan, the sounds of upright pianos playing catchy tunes were heard along Tin Pan Alley. It was back in the days before radio, when every home had a piano and families bought sheet music to play their favorite songs. Through the leaders of the Tin Pan Alley …
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Also known as “the tree of love,” the crabapple is a small to medium-sized deciduous (shedding leaves annually) tree of the genus Malus, a genus of approximately 30 species of small flowering trees and shrubs in the rose family.  Compared to apple trees, crabapple trees are stiffer and spinier in form.  A forager’s delight,  crabapple trees …
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The azalea belongs to the genus Rhododendron – a very large family of shallow-rooted, woody plants.  Azaleas’ spectacular display of vivid colors, profusion of flowers and adaptability to a wide range of environments make them one of the most popular flowering shrubs in the country.  A hardy, flowering shrub, the azalea is ideal for adding color and …
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April is National Poetry Month!  National Poetry Month is a special occasion to celebrate the expressiveness, delight, and pure charm of poetry.  Throughout April we remind ourselves that poets have an essential role in our culture and that poetry matters.  Funerary art helps one learn more about a life that was cherished and contemplate one’s own existence.  …
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Birds play countless roles in maintaining the Earth’s biological diversity.  Not only do birds birds provide services to the ecosystem as pollinators, seed distributors, and scavengers, but also they teach us appreciation of natural diversity.   Raising awareness about bird conservation, therefore, is promoting awareness of environmental issues. The Audubon Society is an American nonprofit environmental …
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Pacific Islanders refer to those whose origins are the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific islands.  Pacific Islanders comprise a diverse number of ethnic groups, ancestries, and languages that originated in Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.  Funeral traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific islands show that memorialization takes different forms. Almost …
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With around 3,000 ethnic groups and 2,000 language varieties, Africa is a continent with fascination around every corner.  There are a multitude of ethnic groups in West Africa.  Christianity and Islam have spread widely across West Africa; however, native West African religions and their traditions still influence everyday life in the region. The dazzling diversity of West …
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