The History of Mother’s Day Each year on the second Sunday of May, families in the Bronx and across the U.S. gather to celebrate Mother’s Day.  Our staff at Woodlawn Cemetery take the time to acknowledge this important day and all that it means for families throughout our community. Since the 19th century, Mother’s Day has …
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The American chestnut is a large, fast-growing tree of the Castanea genus, in the beech family.  The American chestnut is recognizable by its dark brown to red ridged bark and long, canoed-shaped leaves.  Once the king of the forest, this hardwood tree is often killed and reduced to stump sprouts by disease. At one time, the …
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During the month of May, we celebrate the cultures, traditions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.  The first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S. in May 1843 and it was during the same month in 1869 that the transcontinental railroad was completed, a major feat achieved primarily through the hard …
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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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