NorthEast-Millerton Library to dedicate memorial garden

MILLERTON — The dedication of the NorthEast-Millerton Library’s Memorial Reading Garden will take place on Saturday, Oct 6, at 11 a.m. in the new garden in front of the library. At that time, a statue cast in the form of a pedestal holding a book with more than 50 names of individuals memorialized on its pages will be unveiled.

Library Director Rhiannon Leo-Jameson explained that the garden, designed to beautify the western end of Main Street, was created “strictly by donations with no tax dollars involved. We did have several large ones, but overall we had over a hundred donations as a number of people gave $5 to $10. People often say they want to donate but may feel their donations are too small. But that’s not true. It usually starts with small ones and then goes up. It’s like a pebble making waves. Any and all donations help.”

In addition to the donors, the garden came to life with help of various experts. Leo-Jameson said, “Ben Young from Ben Young Landscape Architects in Millerton and Ketchum, Idaho, donated his services as he designed the garden. The plaque was designed by one of our board members, local artist and art teacher Craig Wickwire. His drawing was sent to Dale Travis Associates in Manhattan who made schematics, had the etch work done and had the plaque and stand cast. It is about 3.5-feet tall and will be put in the garden area near the front door so that as you come into the library you can see it off to the side.” 

The garden was created by the addition of a decorative stone wall which allowed for the leveling of a large section of the front yard. It incorporates old plantings with new items such as an additional tree, lilacs that follow the wall, lilies that wrap around the wall and other plantings where the garden slopes down around the dogwood tree. 

A lovely gift to the town, Leo-Jameson said, “It was also to serve as a fundraiser and to provide us with a new area for programing.” 

That was needed because, “the library is always in a state of flux,” she said. “As we expand, there is always a push for space between people and books. This was a way to spread out without major renovations. In the past we could put tents only on certain areas. This leveled the front off enough so that we could put small tents up and still have an additional area in the front.”

The garden also features some large decorative boulders and two welcoming benches. She said, “We find that people are using it either while waiting for the library to open or sitting as a nice place to read.  Right now, it’s still a little hot, but will be even more inviting as the trees grow up and their leaves expand.”

The garden has already shown its value as it was used throughout the summer. She said, “It’s a really nice addition to our programs. It’s easier to keep the kids in the same area, and a lot more people ate outside” when meals were distributed there as part of the NECC-administered summer Lunch Box program.  

“There have been overwhelming remarks about how beautiful it is,” said Leo-Jameson. “Right now it’s being used mainly for children’s program, but next year we will expand to include adult events as well, such as concerts, readings.”

Leo-Jameson and Board President Debbie Ruppel, supported by fellow garden committee members Diane Price, Carol Lyman and Heather Olsen, will unveil the plaque at the event, which will feature autumn refreshments of cider and donuts. A commemorative booklet created by members of the library writing group will be distributed. It includes a few written pieces as well as a number of garden related watercolors created by local artist Pat Johnson, who also painted the large tulip sign which tracked donations.

Leo-Jameson concluded, thanking all who gave.

“Everybody is welcome to the dedication, but we are especially hoping anyone who has donated has a chance to come and enjoy the garden if they haven’t already.”