Community Garden dedicated to health

Local News

Related Photos

Kelli Catana

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.

comments powered by Disqus

May 25, 2009

Plattsburgh group-gardening effort officially begins inaugural year

By JEFF MEYERS The Press Republican Fri May 14, 2010, 07:56 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Adam Crosley has spent winters in the Alaskan outback, but he found himself far removed from those dog-sledding days as he worked on his plot at the Plattsburgh Community Garden Monday.

Crosley was one of several gardeners — amateur and expert — who participated in opening-day ceremonies for the new garden located at Melissa L. Penfield Park.

"I live in an apartment complex and have nowhere to plant at home," said Crosley, who first became interested in the concept of a community garden while taking classes at Plattsburgh State.

"I'm a first-time gardener," he said. "I've never done this before, but I'm excited about trying something new."

Jessica and Mike Bordeau are also fairly new to gardening and decided to give the Community Garden a try with their three sons, Dominick, 9, Nate, 7, and Ben, 5.

"We have a small yard," Jessica said. "We thought this would be a good way to learn about gardening and get the kids interested in it. It's also a good way to put a little extra food on our table."

Jessica's dad, Bernie Blew, was also on hand to add his expertise and to suggest a variety of vegetables for the family to choose for planting.

Gardeners of all ages spent time tilling the soil, planting varieties of seeds and placing starter plants into the raised plant beds on property that had years ago been a baseball field for the City Little League.

"They'd been talking about this for years, and I always thought it was a fantastic idea," said Lonnie Fairchild as she worked on her 100-square-foot garden plot. "I plant a little bit in a small yard with no sun, so I thought this would be a wonderful idea."

She also appreciated the level of expertise that was available as newcomers gardened side-by-side with seasoned experts.

In fact, Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist Anne Lenox-Barlow was working with her family on a plot and offered her time to answer any questions for her fellow community gardeners.

The Memorial Day holiday allowed time for the gardeners to reflect on the significance of a Community Garden.

"We're here today to dedicate the garden to the health of the community," said Doug Butdorf, head of the Plattsburgh Community Garden organizing group, adding that a portion of vegetables raised will be donated to the Interfaith Food Shelf.

He also praised the location, emphasizing the benefit that the garden will be in full sunlight during the day, a big plus for the 32 individual plots owned by city residents.

Butdorf's wife, Jessamyn Neuhaus, officially opened the garden's growing season with a group prayer.

"We have come together — people of different ages and different faiths, people from different backgrounds and different life experiences — to plant a garden dedicated to community health and environmental stewardship," she said.

Although all plots are taken for this season, Butdorf said he believes the concept will grow with an even larger community effort next year.

"It's nice to see the community come together for this," said City Recreation Director Steven Peters, noting that the Recreation Department will oversee the garden just like it does with youth sports leagues: a hands-on operation run by the community members.

E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com