A Memorial to a Beloved Friend

During the week of June 25, 2007, a group of Fountain House members and staff worked hard to create a memorial garden for our beloved friend Charlie Saggese, High Point Farm Manager, who died suddenly, and before his time, in October of 2004.

Their goal was to create a place where people could sit quietly and enjoy the flowers and scenery on the farm, underneath the big oak tree next to the wood shop, where Charlie spent so much of his time. It seemed like the perfect place and we spent an afternoon completely clearing the area. This involved a great deal of weeding, digging, and raking to get rid of all unwanted plants and create space for new ones. A group drove to the local garden center where they purchased peonies, butterfly bushes, hemerocallis, box shrubs and digitalis to make the garden both colorful and practical, to last each year with perennial plants and hardy shrubs which can survive the winters here at High Point.

It took two days to complete the garden, create a pathway, and mount the memorial plaque which will commemorate Charlie's spirit, life, and dedication to High Point Farm and its surrounding community. The resulting garden is beautiful and a very special place for all to sit and remember Charlie, and his infectious smile.