The Peru Gazette

Rich Tarabula breaking ground on the community garden

By John T. Ryan

Peru should have its first community garden next summer, but it’s not located where most people would expect. On Saturday, November 3, 2012 several volunteers were enthusiastically tilling soil at the Peru Free Library. Librarian Becky Pace explained that she has been interested in starting a garden for some time, but she wanted to tie the project in with a library program.

The “forces” came together this summer when Pace learned that a Peru resident named Rich Tarabula was interested in establishing a community garden. Pace met with Tarabula and asked him to make a presentation to the Peru Free Library Board of Trustees.  A few days later she learned about an upcoming national summer children’s reading program entitled  “Dig into Reading.”  Pace knew the time was right!

The library’s Board of Trustees enthusiastically agreed to the project and last Saturday work began. Rich Tarabula operated a rototiller and instructed Boy Scouts on the art of cutting brush and building a brush pile habitat. Volunteers Lance Falcon, Stacey Bousquet, Felica Duchene and others were also working hard. Lance Falcon said he hopes to make working in the garden part of a Peru Central School work experience program. Felica Duchene was working as one of the first student volunteers.

This community garden will differ from traditional gardens in that it is small and a portion of the vegetables will be given to the St. Augustine’s Community Soup Kitchen. Local businesses have already expressed support. Rulf’s Orchards is donating seed, compost and soil.

For more information on participating in or assisting the community garden please contact Becky Pace at 643-8618.

Stacey Bousquet and Felica Duchene worked hard on Saturday

Lance Falcon hopes to involve students in the garden