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| The small sign says "SIT Remember" |
Lots of family and friends turned out and many compliments to the look of the garden were spoken. I want to thank Cutting Edge Lawn Services for all their work in helping design and then in implementing the garden. I provided some some directions and Brian Saccomanno made all the right choices. I also want to thank Birchwood Design for the beautiful hardscape and the last minute addition of a small ramp from the lane to the pavers. That little touch got many a work out on Sunday.
My Mom also received many positive reviews for her steady, clear speaking audible to all the crowd and the speech itself. The speaking part was helped along by an ION Audio IPA16 Block Rocker AM/FM Portable Speaker System. The text of her speech follows below:
Welcome, friends. Thanks to each of you for coming out today -- this last Sunday of the summer -- to dedicate this garden with us.
My husband, Richard Davis (or Dick Davis -- as so many of you knew him), was born here in Newfield in a house on Church Street — and he lived here his entire life.
He gave so much of his time to this town he loved. He worked to keep Newfield the peaceful and pleasant town we all love. He grew up here, raised his kids, and grew old, and always served this town.
From the time he was old enough to volunteer until his passing in 2009, Dick was a member of the Newfield Fire Company. Year after year, you would find him turning the chickens in the pit for the Annual Chicken BBQ. Those were some hot days! And yet Dick would stand right by the fire and wipe away the sweat — and make sure the chicken was cooked just right, and make sure everyone got some delicious chicken. Dick could always stand the heat.
An explosion at Fox’s Grain Elevator in the 1950’s showed the Fire Company that it needed more equipment, and the "chicken bbqs" were started as a way to raise money to buy what the company needed. If Dick was with us today, he would want me to mention other Newfield residents who contributed so much to the Fire Company, friends such as G.B. Saul, George Kohler, and Pat Marshall -- to name just a few.
Dick was on Borough Council, chairing the "Street and Road Department.” But he was more interested in solving problems and helping people than in politics. Too bad for politics!
Some of our younger and newer residents might not know this, but once upon a time Newfield had a thriving squab farm called Dyer & Davis. When the founders retired, Dick took over the business. And when the squab industry shrunk, he kept a bit of the farm going, first as part of a catering business, and later to feed his extended family on special occasions. We still miss those roasted squab dinners. And we miss the corn and tomatoes he grew in his garden.
In the 1950’s, Dick took on the job of Secretary of the Edgarton School Board, at a time when new county and state regulations turned a relatively straightforward job into a giant knot. So many years later, just this month, Dick’s great grandson and great granddaughter started attending Edgarton, the same school he, his daughters, and some of his grandchildren attended. I know he would be pleased that he contributed to a school where two of our great grandchildren are now enrolled.
I wonder if some of you know why the Newfield Swim Club was built. At a time when children were still contracting the dreadful disease Polio, swimming was closed at local lakes, because people believed this would help prevent the spread of the disease. With lakes like Malaga, Willow Grove, and Palatine closed, where was a kid to go during those hot summer days? Happily for the Davis girls, Dick helped get the Newfield Swim Club built and served as director to ensure the pool was maintained properly. Four generations of his family have enjoyed swimming in that pool.
Newfield United Methodist Church enjoyed the benefits of Dick’s time, and he enjoyed the benefits of membership in the congregation. Dick was a trustee of the church from the 1950’s until his passing. Initially, he prepared Easter Sunday Breakfasts and annual Pot Roast dinners; later, he offered wise and gentle counsel to members of the congregation.
Dick’s father, Harry, had been a director of the Newfield Savings and Loan and treasurer of the Rose Hill Cemetery Association. When Harry passed away in 1965, Dick took over some of those responsibilities. Today, the savings and loan is long gone. But Dick was there to help shepherd its takeover during the deregulation of the 1980s, a responsibility he took very seriously.
Clearly the Rose Hill Cemetery didn’t disappear! Dick remained treasurer of Rose Hill Cemetery Association for more than 40 years. I think he would be pleased to see this meditation garden in a place he and his father both contributed, and in a place where he now rests in peace.
Inspired by the volunteer efforts of my husband and myself, the next generations of our family continue that tradition of service to Newfield - grandson Jake Moncrief is a volunteer fireman; daughter Arlene is a trustee for the Methodist Church and is a member of the library board; daughter Maggie is treasurer of Rose Hill Cemetery Association.
Besides all his official duties, Dick also served as a problem-solver — so many people over so many years came to him for help and advice. Dick knew that some problems were just puzzles — they were solvable if you kept a clear mind and thought them through.
But other problems aren't puzzles at all — people already know what the right thing to do is. Sometimes people just needed to hear it from somebody else, to help them get the courage to do the right thing. Dick would help them that way too.
And so I can only imagine how differently will people use this meditation garden. Some people will remember loved ones. Some people will sit for a minute and just enjoy the peace, and listen to birdsong, or listen to children playing in the distance.
But if anyone ever sits here and wonders how they'll get that courage to do the right thing, I hope that somehow, through the power of grace, the spirit of my husband might be able to help them.
In this way my husband will continue to serve the town and people he loved.
My husband was not unusual in serving his community. Others volunteer in the community, too; volunteering is a valuable and important part of what makes Newfield great. With that in mind, we dedicate this meditation garden as Dick’s last gift to Newfield, in memory of and to honor all those who work to make Newfield a special place to live.
Thank you, so much, my husband -- and all of you for being here. Thank you, and God bless you and God bless this garden.
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