To the Editor:

Thank you for your fine coverage of the pollinator garden in memory of Tammy Hazen last week. Designing it and seeing the garden through to implementation (90 percent at this point), with the remarkable support of Mary Gaudet-Wilson, head of Protect Our Pollinators, has been a deeply gratifying experience.

I’m writing to clarify the plants’ sources; in addition to Earth Tones, Native, Planter’s Choice, and TLC, we also purchased plants from Andrew Mangold’s World Repair Nursery in Shelbourne, Massachusetts. Andrew brought these beautiful plants when he came to work on the Fruit Trail, which he initiated several years ago. Patricia Barkman and Sherry Birmingham also donated plants in addition to their labor.

For such a large undertaking, sponsored by a nonprofit (POP), we relied heavily on many volunteers. I echo Mary Gaudet-Wilson’s thanks (in her letter last week) to these amazing people, some of whom came for many hours on several days — as well as to the Newtown Parks & Recreation department, whose cheerful, able team helped us out a great deal. Lenahan Land Clearing provided us with at least 35 yards of top-quality mulch at a reduced price. And, of course, many thanks go to the funders of this project: two private foundations and individual donors. This cooperation and help is the perfect embodiment of Tammy’s kind, generous spirit. It brings great joy to think how much the pollinators, birds, and human visitors will benefit.

Sarah Middeleer

South Main Street, Newtown October 30, 2019