by Wendy M. Fendrick - Stoughton Press Staff Writer
The Stoughton Press - Holiday / Winter 2010 Edition  www.stoughtonpress.com


In 1999, when Bob and Wendy Fendrick exchanged marriage vows at their home, they had no idea the beautiful honey locust tree they stood under in their front yard would come to be known as “The Wedding Tree.”

It was under this very same tree, in 2003, that their daughter, Katrina Wiszynski, became the wife of her long time boyfriend, Garth Ewing.  And on August 1, 2010, their youngest daughter, Annie Wiszynski, chose this same magical spot to wed the man of her dreams, Jay Miller.

Perhaps it is no mistake that this tree is growing in the Fendrick’s front yard and has spread its branches to embrace the journey of marriage.  Honey Locust typically grow in the moist soil of river valleys.  This one is found across the street from the Yahara River and on the grounds of Stoughton’s Water Pumping Station #1, which is now the Fendrick home.  

Honey Locust are fast growing and are prone to losing large branches in windstorms. The same can be said of young love, a whirlwind of emotion often evolving quickly, discarding pieces as it grows and strengthens.  Honey Locust will thrive where few other trees can survive and prosper.  True love is equally as tough and resilient.

The young leaves of the Honey Locust are bright green. The sweet scented cream-colored flowers appear in late spring.  Then, the leaves turn yellow in the fall.  Honey Locust commonly have thorns which are fairly soft and green when young, harden and turn red as they age, then fade to ash grey and turn brittle when mature.  

A love relationship that lasts a lifetime, follows a path of change as it ripens through the seasons of its adventure.  As the physical body moves from riotous green to golden bronze, love becomes as rich as the colors of sunset and as warm as the glow of a winter fire.

Honey Locust produces a high quality, durable wood that polishes well… hmmm, need I say more?

Honey Locust ~ by Mary Oliver

Who can tell how lovely in June is the honey locust tree, or why
a tree should be so sweet and live in this world?
Each white blossom on a dangle of white flowers holds one green seed – a new life.  
Also each blossom on a dangle of flowers holds a flask
of fragrance called Heaven,
which is never sealed.

The bees circle the tree and dive into it.
They are crazy with gratitude. They are working like farmers.
They are as happy as saints.

After awhile the flowers begin to wilt and drop down into the grass.
Welcome shines the grass.
Every year I gather handfuls of the blossoms and eat their mealiness;
the honey melts in my mouth,
the seeds make me strong,
both when they are crisp and ripe, and even at the end
when their petals have turned dull yellow.
So it is if the heart has devoted itself to love, there is
not a single inch of emptiness.  

Gladness gleams all the way to the grave.