Meadowbrook Duo Creates a Fragment of Arcadia
By Owen Oxley

It began in mid-May. Meadowbrook residents Robert Bachman and Frederick
Currier decided to create a simple garden of vegetables and flowers on a small
portion of lawn that fronts on a winding tributary of the Blackberry River and
overlooks the ‘great meadow.’
Today that plot of land — 40 feet by 16 feet– is bursting with life, filled with all
manner of vegetables and perennials; nature’s bounty in all its glory.
When the sun comes up and burns away the mist, early-risers are rewarded with
a spellbinding, almost Arcadian vista. In the evening as shadows lengthen,
darken and almost overwhelm the declivity, the unwary can be startled to
suddenly come upon this profusion of flowers and vegetables at their feet.
Bob and Fred have enhanced the setting with a lovely bench for visitors and
residents, and also introduced a birdbath complete with marble frog. The
placement of “Spinning Scarecrow,” a weathervane created by John Thew, was
purchased by Bob as a final aesthetic (and fully functional) touch. It protects the
crops, of course.
Bachman, 72, has been at Meadowbrook almost two years. Retired from the U.S.
Postal Service, all spent at our local post office, for many years he also operated
a small business featuring a greenhouse and other structures that provided
annuals and perennials for the community.
Currier, 67, has lived at Meadowbrook, along with his wife Donna, for 8 years.
Retired from the general contracting business, he brought a crucial construction
capability to the project. An indefatigable worker, he designed the site, framed it
with freshly-sawn planking from a local mill, fertilized the soil and daily tends it.
They have come up with a compatible division of labor: Fred nurtures vegetables;
Bob tends flowers.
Meadowbrook tenants are the primary beneficiaries of the fruits of these labors.
Vegetables and flowers are freely given to those who request a selection or
sampling, with all costs borne by the creators.

As resident Barbara Mulville put it, “It’s a wonderful expression of interest, care
and concern for the residents…a gesture of love and labor of these men for the
Meadowbrook community.”