Giving Back With A Garden in Groton

Bill Lincoln wanted to do something to the staff at Fairview Odd Fellows Home who cared for his mother-in-law.

Phyllis O’Rourke died in April, after three years at the home.

“The last week that she was there, they all came in and said their goodbyes and sat with us,” Lincoln said. “They were incredible.”

Lincoln retired from the Department of Corrections five years ago, and he said they had a community garden at Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville. He decided he wanted to duplicate it Fairview.

He talked the administrator at Fairview, the Eastern Connecticut Community Gardens Association and Connecticut Draft Horse Rescue, which is loaning two horses to Corrigan for the summer. The prison agreed to help.

It came together last week, and the garden was plowed. More than 50 residents in Fairview, a 120-bed long-term care facility, watched the draft horses till the land.

“I’m enjoying it,” said Elizabeth Michon, 78. “It brings back a lot of memories of my growing up years.”

Two horses from the draft horse rescue - April and Ruby – plowed the garden. The Department of Corrections helped with the labor and may also end up planting.

Sarah Stanley, volunteer coordinator for Fairview, said the garden will provide fresh vegetables to the kitchen to serve residents all summer. Various programs at the facility will also use to garden to help residents create projects and snacks, she said.

Staff and volunteers will get any extra vegetables.

Said Lincoln: “It was nice how everything fell together.”