The Gumdrop Tree

About the Book

“The Gumdrop Tree” is a charming story of family tradition and believing. The author writes about her family’s Thanksgiving tradition of the gumdrop tree “blooming” each year. Adapting a true story about her father’s adventure as a child, the author captures the essence of her childhood and the magic in believing.

About the Author

Elizabeth Markert Rizza grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts. She went to Syracuse University and became an elementary school teacher in New York State where she lives with her husband and two sons. Elizabeth enjoys gardening, sailing, vacationing in the Adirondacks and spending time with her family. “I have wonderful memories of my childhood including canoe trips in Maine, skiing in New England and hiking Mt. Washington every June. I admire my parents for providing these great adventures but also for the smaller, spur-of-the-moment activities such as the ‘gumdrop tree’ which added the spice and magic to my childhood.” Mig Sertl lives in the house beside the actual lake depicted in the story. She is the author’s aunt and has shared many family times with the gumdrop tree herself. Since the “tree” has “bloomed” often in the woods by her house she was able to capture the charm of the story and authenticity of its location. Mig started drawing as a child. She studied engineering drawing during World War II and soon thereafter became a draftsman. She enjoys painting the animals and scenes around her as well as family, friends and pets. In her spare time she hikes, sails, walks her dog and travels and paints with her local art association.