"Jazz in the Garden" to Raise Funds for Library

The Bedford Hills Free Library is planning a fundraiser that combines jazz with a chance to tour one of the region's best gardens. The Glenda Davenport Trio will perform in Phillis Warden's gardens on June 5.

This is the first year for "Jazz in the Garden," said Rhoda Gushue, director of the library. "We want a lot of people to get interested in this and possibly have it annually."

The monies raised will help cover the library's operating costs, said Gushue. The funding that the three libraries in Bedford get from the town has been flat for the last two years, she said. "Next year, we may have to take a cut." Funding cuts have put a great deal of pressure on the library's trustees to find alternate means of raising money, she said.

Gushue said that she approached Warden to ask about using her nine-acres of gardens as a site for a fundraiser, which have been featured as parts of garden tours by other groups, including the Garden Conservancy. Gushue also arranged for the jazz trio to appear. "I've known them for many years and enjoy their playing."

The event will feature a walking tour of the gardens, which should be at the height of their beauty in early June. The gardens include perennial borders, a water garden stocked with koi, a formal vegetable garden, a croquet court, wildflowers and ferns, and a tree house platform that overlooks a marsh. Several of Warden's gardens feature methods of defeating the deer that devastate many local yards.

Because so much of this event will take place outdoors, a rain date of June 6 has been set up, Gushue said.

The Glenda Davenport Trio has opened for comedian Bill Cosby and appeared at Caramoor and the Village Gate. Davenport is a vocalist and will be accompanied by Hiroshi Yamazaki on piano and Ryan Berg on bass.

"Jazz in the Garden" is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and hors d'oeuvres and cocktails will be served. Tickets are $50 for refreshments, music, and access to the gardens; $75 for all of that plus a guided tour of the garden; and $100 for everything and a gift of an eco-bag with a library logo. For tickets or more information, call the library at 914-666-6472.

The library is also raffling off a handmade baby quilt done on the theme of Eric Carle's The Hungry Caterpillar. The winner will be announced at the garden event, but does not need to be present. The quilt is on display in the Children's Room at the library. Tickets for the quilt raffle are one for $5 and five chance for $20.

If you go, wear comfortable shoes for walking around the garden.