Sandy's Written Creations
Writings by Sandra Harrison including poetry, essays, fiction, non-fiction; children's literatire.
White Plains’ Quarry and Farms
Entry is an updated version of the section found in White Plains, New York: A City of Contrasts under “Quarry and Farms.”
Agriculture was the economic basis for White Plains (WP) from its beginnings till the mid-1800’s. Small farms made up most of WP and its population remained small. When trains train came in 1844, everything changed.
Rock remains from the Davis Quarry at the corner of Oakwood and Prospect Aves can still be found. Stone from this quarry was used to build the third county court house on Court Street. Davis Brook (formerly Golden Pine Brook) flowed from the south near where the quarry was located. Today the brook runs underground and still empties into the Bronx River.
WP was once made up of numerous farms. The last working farm in WP, Baldwin Farm was made into a city park with a portion used for community gardens. In 1823, James Foster bought the land on Hall Ave and created the Pine Tree Farm. When James died his daughter Sarah Foster’s husband Horace Baldwin took over the farm. The last Baldwin to live on the farm died in 1979 with the house being destroyed by a fire in 1982.
Further down the road is what remains of the family’s burial plot. The area just north on Buckout Rd in West Harrison is part of a number of urban legends. The Baldwin Farm entrance and community gardens is on Hall Ave. The Baldwin Cemetery is located further down the road but there is only one grave stone standing.
Gedney Farms, purchased in 1740 by John Gedney, became a developed neighborhood of houses and golf courses. The last home owned by the Gedney Family (circa 1854) is located at corner of Burling Ave and Gedney Esplanade. The structure is now a residence but housed the Westchester Music Conservatory before it moved to Central Ave. A number of city neighborhoods, streets and businesses bare the Gedney name.
The Westchester Hills Golf Club on Ridgeway was founded in 1913. The Ridgeway Golf Course that opened in 1923 was sold to French American School of NY at end of 2010. Their plan to build a school on the land has yet to happen due to strong community opposition and law suits.
The Maple Moor Golf Course opened in 1923 and was the Howard J. Griffin farm in 1879 (pictured below).
White Plains today has no more farms but there are a number of community gardens and a Farmer’s Market.
Memorials in White Plains
Throughout White Plains, there are trees, benches, water structures, gardens and monuments dedicated to the memory of past residents, veterans, public servants, and those who made major contributions to our nation.
Other memorials like the Garden of Remembrance commemorate important events in history.
Garden of Remembrance on Martine Ave is a memorial garden in remembrance of the Holocaust and to the millions that died at the hands of the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. The small garden is open daily to the public. There are plantings, a seating area, the sculpture “Gates of Remembrance” ( 1992; pictured above) and a statue for Ann Frank. Located at 148 Martine Ave next to the Michaelian Building, the garden was created by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center.
Plaques and benches throughout the city honor individuals.
A statue of Martin Luther King Jr. is on 
Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard in front of the court house. The street also commemorates the Civil Right leader.
There is a memorial for fallen fire fighters in front of Fire Department Headquarters on Mamaroneck Ave.
The memorial at Silver Lake Park commemorates those who died on 9-11-2001 from the community.
“Cuba Free,” was erected in 1909 honoring those who died in the Spanish-American War at the intersection of Park and Hillside Aves. Samuel J. Walton, on
e of the soldiers listed on the marker, was buried in WP Rural Cemetery where his grave is marked with a stone carving of a tree stump. There are a number of monuments and memorials for the Battle of White Plains, Civil War, WWI and other wars around the city and at City Hall (in the entrance area).
The first streets in White Plains were dirt roads and horses were the main mode of transport. An old horse trough given to the city by the WP Branch of the ASPCA is next to Public Safety building on S Lexington Ave. It was re-dedicated by the WP Beautification Foundation in 1992.
The City also honors people by dedicating sections of streets in their name. The blue signs are found just below street name sign.
Feeling Like Alice in Wonderland
Feeling like I’m living in a work of fiction and one in which the first chapter wasn’t very good. Have the urge to peek at the ending but not sure I’d like it.
For months, I’ve felt more disconnected to the world. I can’t believe the events that have transpired during the last few months. Feel like I’ve entered a fictionalized version of the real world where decorum has no place.
Am I now in Wonderland?
Israel Museum
Only museum opened on Sabbath in Jerusalem is the Israel Museum. I visited the museum with my mother during Sukkot October 2016. We took a cab to the location from our Mamilla Hotel. My mother has difficulty walking so this was a challenge. The galleries were huge with no sitting and not all levels could be reached by elevator. I was able to get a portable stool for my mother to use and there was a motorized cart that took us from entrance area to galleries.
There were outside areas with art. I liked the vegetation. Only one café was open and it was difficult to find our way using the map. Staff were not very helpful. We ended up going through the building with sea scrolls but there were lots of stairs. Café was near the model of the Old City. Bathroom we used in outside area had plumbing issues.
I took a lot of pictures to show my mother after because she couldn’t do much walking. I most enjoyed the work in the South American galleries. The textiles and pottery of the Incas was of great interest to me.
Dead Sea
My trip to the Dead Sea in Ein Bokek (October 2016) was with my mother. We stayed four days at the Spa Club Hotel. Half the roadway that runs through the resort was under construction as well as a beach area. There is a small market with shops, small eateries and some restaurants.
From early morning to the evening, people spend a lot of time soaking in the sea. My attempt was very short. I should have worn my thongs into the water cause the salt deposits felt like glass shards. The sand is orange and found on most of the chairs provided. There is little shade from a few date trees. I got my hair wet so I had to take a quick shower. It was a hot and salty experience that I could not appreciate.
My mother soaked in the mineral pool provided by the hotel and enjoyed the tea room where she could make her own mixtures. I took a walk to the market to use the ATM and went to Masada. Masada is about a 10-15 ride north of Ein Bokek. Unknown to hotel, there are drivers who for a fee take people to and from area. Stand at the bus stop and these drivers come along offering a ride. I paid 100 shekels one way and 20 from Masada with a shared ride. There is the bus but waiting out in heat was not great.
Jerusalem’s Old City
My visit to Old City in Jerusalem from the Mamilla Road through the Jaffa Gate to the Cardo area. King David’s Citadel is at the Jaffa Gate area.
Mamilla Road from above:
Jaffa Gate
Cardo Area of Jewish Quarter:
Sukkot Parade- Jerusalem
Tel Aviv- City Walk
My walk from Royal Beach Hotel through HaCamel Market, up on Allenby (below)
Graffiti is everywhere.
Along Rothschild Boulevard
Other places in area include the Big Synagogue and a smaller one.
V 
Wandering streets to hotel.
Western Wall-Faith in Jerusalem
My visit to the Western Wall with my 85 year old mother who was the reason for my trip to Israel. We went this October 2016 in the middle of Sukkot so the crowds made it difficult to get to the wall. My brave mother made her way into the crowd and people sitting right up to the wall. I guess you have to have faith to appreciate the moment.
We were grateful for the taxi driver who took us through the Old City from Jaffe Gate to Dung Gate. It was a slow go but my mother didn’t have to walk far.
For those who do not know there is live streaming at the wall online. Women and men are separated and there is a security check that one must go through. As for one’s dress, a head covering was not worn by all. I wore pants with a tee top. I brought a covering for my head and shoulders just in case but I just wore a hat cause it is very hot in the sun. Carrying water is a good idea. I did see some sinks near the entrance.
My mother is the very short gray haired women making her way to touch the wall. She felt it was worth the few seconds she had at the wall. This was not her first time but this time she made her journey without my father who died on Sept 11, 2013 at 93.
Proud to Be An American!
Posted on January 22, 2017 by sandraharrison1954
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On a rainy day in Washington when the skies were weeping, I was mourning. I prayed for those who have similar values to have the strength to make their voices heard against the new Presidency.
I’m not one to go to protests but I am very proud of those standing up for women’s rights all over the world. This was inspirational!
We will need to be vigilant and active calling our representatives to give a voice to our concerns when Congress and the President moves in a direction that will destroy us.
I pray for hope, peace and a kinder gentler truthful world.
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