By Buffy Calvert 

The ring of a sledgehammer on steel brought me to the window. There, in the “back forty” of the school yard, muscular young men were driving the last spike supports into the ground for a brand new greenhouse. By late afternoon the high arches of the structure framed the sky, the work of many hands, large and small.

Teacher Ed McGee and his wife, Kathy Scullion; teachers Jeff Rhone and Grace Bacon and her husband, Ed; parents Chris and D.J. Long and ACS students Torn  and Serena Bacon, Allison Long and Zach and Michaela Valkavich had all taken days of bright summer weather to erect a dream-come-true, 40’ x 20’ greenhouse. The technology class will design and build raised box beds. All classes from Kindergarten to Seniors will help plant, tend and harvest herbs and vegetables for the school cafeteria.

The school staff and PTSA decided to use the Rural Educational Assistance Program (REAP) funds (an annual federal supplement to the budget) for the community garden project with the enthusiastic support of Town Supervisor Marty Donnelly, and the Town Council,  as well as Superintendent Bob Chakar and the School Board.  Phase II may be community garden plots. ~