An Extraordinary Garden

To the Editor,

On behalf of the many volunteers at The Victory Garden, I would like to thank the Town of Newtown officials who have helped make this garden a reality. The produce from The Victory Garden is tended by generous volunteers who “Own a Row,” which they plant, cultivate, and harvest. All the vegetables grown in the garden will be donated to the food pantries here in Newtown. This community effort not only feeds the hungry, but creates a community environment which allows diverse groups in Newtown to work together for a common goal. Volunteers are encouraged to express their creative spirits and through their efforts they are raising the happiness index of our town. Many thanks to those who donated much needed monies toward establishing this garden, without whom this project would not be possible.

I would especially like to thank our first selectperson, Pat Llodra, who first listened to the glimmer of an idea about The Victory Garden this winter; she then pointed me in the right direction for the help of many of The Town of Newtown’s departments. Great thanks to John Reed, chairman of the Fairfield Hills committee, who encouraged me to make a presentation of my idea to his committee. He was subsequently instrumental in providing the land for the garden at Fairfield Hills, where The Victory Garden is now growing. I would also like to thank the Parks and Recreation Commission for approving my plan, and of course, many thanks to Amy Mangold, director of Parks and Recreation and her staff for their work in setting up The Victory Garden. Amy’s staff cut the sod to create the 3-foot by 45-foot planting rows, they repurposed the soil to create our starter compost pile. They tilled the land, placed additional topsoil on the rows, installed weed mats and woodchips on the walkways, installed an irrigation line to the garden, and finally, surrounded the garden with a chain link fence to keep all the little critters and deer from dining at a new salad bar. The Victory Garden is now ready for our volunteer gardeners!

I encourage every Newtowner to go visit this extraordinary vegetable garden, and see for themselves how a community can come together. It is not too late to volunteer to garden with us, Garden for Good at The Victory Garden. Thanks again to all who have participated.

Harvey Pessin

59 Main Street, Newtown                                                 May 16, 2011