Seriously, can summer be far behind?

Ron Ayres emerges from hibernation, Patriots Farewell fountain on the Green, May 5, 2023. Photo by Bill Lescohier

The Patriot’s Farewell fountain is flowing for another season on the Morristown Green, thanks to Ron Ayres.

Ayres, nephew of fountain donor Dick Deskovick, opened the spigot on Tuesday morning.

“Everything’s in good shape,” said Ayres, who drains the fountain each winter to prevent any ice damage.

Chlorine was cleaned from the structure to restore its patina during the off-season, Ayres said.

Video by Kevin Coughlin for MorristownGreen.com, April 30, 2024:

Deskovick, 95, is a retired builder and co-founder of First Morris Bank (now Provident Bank). He donated the fountain in 2001. Ayres has looked after it since 2006.

A decade ago, Descovick and his wife Jackie also contributed $5 million for renovations of Morristown Medical Center’s maternity center, now named for them.

Morristown Green trustees Carl Badenhausen and Dick Descovick and Katie Laud, daughter of Steve Wiley, listen to the late Glenn Coutts, president of the trustees, dedicate a copper beech tree to Steve Wiley in 2012. Photo by Kevin Coughlin The Patriot’s Farewell fountain flows again on the Morristown Green, April 30, 2024. Photo by Kevin Coughlin The Patriot’s Farewell fountain flows again on the Morristown Green, April 30, 2024. Photo by Kevin Coughlin