By Doreen Kelly

“Village Improvement Together!” is the motto of the Norfolk Community Association (NCA), and there couldn’t be a more fitting description of its most recently completed undertaking—the Welcome to Norfolk beautification project, made possible by a grant from The Evan Hughes Charitable Trust and in partnership with the Norfolk Economic Development Commission (EDC).

The newly installed gardens and lighting enhancing the Welcome to Norfolk signs at the town’s east and west entrances on Route 44 are the accomplishment of many volunteers, each with different skills, all with one goal in mind: to make Norfolk a more welcoming and appealing town.

Every good idea needs a person to bring it to fruition, and for this project NCA and EDC member Marie Lowe was that person. Lowe gathered a strong team and set the wheels in motion for this whirlwind renovation project. It began with Matt Bannerman, who repainted the signs that were already in place. Then Lowe and her husband, West, installed new solar lighting so that the signs would be visible at night too.

Route 44 is a state road, so before planning the rest of the project, Lowe consulted with First Selectman Matt Riiska, who coordinated with the state Department of Transportation to make sure the plans were compatible with state regulations. Once that was done, the digging, stonework and heavy lifting could begin. Riiska also helped locate recycled and unused stone from the town garage, and NCA members Nash Pradhan and Leo Groppo, along with West Lowe and the Department of Public Works crew, excavated the sites and installed the stone, topsoil and mulch. Leslie Watkins offered her design expertise to recommend a layout and select the plants, while Lowe and NCA member Christina Vanderlip did the coordination and planting.

The end result is every bit as charming as the town itself, thanks to these talented and resourceful volunteers. Now, when visitors and residents alike drive by, they will feel a hint of the specialness of the village they are about to enter.