Dragons...continued

Dragons, from page 1

was transplanted to its present location at the intersection of Routes 44/55 and 208 where it continues to thrive under the care and attention of Keith Buesing and Coral Acres Nursery in Gardiner.

Coral Acres is no longer a nursery, but specializes in landscape design and installation, including topiary. That’s the training and trimming of live plants into clearly defined shapes. “Being around plants, born and raised in a nursery, planting and maintaining them, you get an appreciation of plants,” Keith says. “Trimming a plant after a year’s growth may suggest another shape.” Topiaries are normally constructed of evergreens with small, dense leaves. The variety of such plants allows the topiary artist to create larger figures in a variety of shades and textures of green. The darker green body and head of the Gardiner dragon are constructed of taxus, a type of yew. The tall yellow green dorsal spikes are of golden arborvitae and the huge, taloned feet are of lighter green parson’s juniper. Lately, Keith has gotten more interested in the human form and has constructed an 8 foot tall woman in front of The Bicycle Rack, next to The Bakery in New Paltz. She appears to be sunbathing, guarded by a considerably smaller dragon than Gardiner’s own. Early cartographers would frequently fill uncharted spaces on their maps with dragons and similar creatures. Inscribed on the eastern coast of Asia on the Lenox Globe (ca. 1503-07) is HC SVNT DRACONES (hic sunt dracones) or “here are dragons.” We’re still investigating how that became, in common parlance, “there be dragons” . . . which is also the title of a 2011 film centered on the Spanish Civil War. It was so titled, according to director Roland Joffé, “Because when I started this project, I realized I’d be going off the map a bit.”

I, for one, think Gardiner’s dragon is just another thing that puts us on the map.

WE ARE SELLING HOMES!WE ARE SELLING HOMES! THIS IS A ONE-OF-KIND THIS ONE-OF-KIND HOME OFFERS CRAFTSMANSHIP STYLE, QUALITY & LOCATION!

Quietly resting on over 2 acres, just a short stroll to the quaint hamlet of Gardiner, you’ll be captivated by this converted barn. Unique architectural designs from the open staircase to the flowing floor-plan, bright and airy with lots of windows and skylights. All hardwood floors, 6 panel doors and 3 tiled, full baths. Open galley kitchen w/cherry cabinets & walk-in pantry! Magnificent field stone fireplace, Florida room w/gas stove & fantastic Master Suite will woo you!

Proudly offered at $449,000 A MUST SEE! Don’t miss the season for buying or selling! 845-255-3455 www.ColucciShandRealty.com

Back ...