By Elisabeth Strillacci

SPENCER — A smaller crowd than last year at the third annual Tea Party in the Garden may have been due to early morning cold, but the afternoon broke sunny and clear for members and supporters of the Spencer Community Garden.

For the third year, the Tea and Spice Exchange offered three flavors of tea, a green herbal, a white and a black tea, and members of the Community Appearance Commission, which has oversight of the garden for the town, baked homemade treats to go with them, including delights of focaccia, biscotti and caprese skewers of tomato, mozzarella and basil with a balsamic drizzle.

About 25 people made it to the event during the day including several members of the Spencer Board of Aldermen, including Pat Sledge, Patti Secreast and Steve Miller, joined by Town Manager Peter Franzese.

Kyle Harris, who oversees both the Historic Preservation and Community Appearance commissions, said although there were not as many attendees this year as last, he was still happy that people turned out.

“This is such a benefit to the town, and it’s good for small communities to do these sorts of things,” he said. “A combination of grassroots donations and dedication are what make it work.”

The garden is on a small plot of land that belongs to the Presbyterian Church which was donated by sisters Frances and Alice Gordon Geekie. There is currently a strip of peonies growing in the garden that is a nod to the Geekie family, which at one time provided the communion wine for the church from grapes on the property.

“This whole area used to be peonies,” said Secreast. “They had all different colors and there were just loads of them, so it’s nice to see they’ve kept this little tribute to the family.”

Anyone can take on a box, or two, or more, in the garden, and there are no restrictions to what can be grown (as long as the plants are legal). All produce and plants grown in a box are the property of the gardener, who is also entirely responsible for the care of the garden. Anyone who has leftover produce, from the community garden or their own backyard garden, is welcome to donate it to the shared fresh produce stand on the corner of the garden, where anyone is invited to partake.

Amy Ray and Anthony Nero, owners of Pinocchio’s restaurant, were part of the driving force behind establishing the Community Garden and supporting it. The couple have boxes at the garden and at Sunday’s tea party, Nero said they do use some of the items they grow in the garden in the restaurant.

Ray explained that there is a memorandum of understanding with the town and the church and the Community Appearance Commission was established to oversee, but the goal is that the garden will become self-sustaining.

There are currently 17 beds constructed in the garden, and Harris said anyone interested just needs to apply for a box, and if none are available that have already been built, one will be constructed.

Any funds raised at any of the garden’s events go toward maintenance of the property, including the planting of native trees on the lot, said Harris. The commission has planted and is working toward more planting of native fruit trees, including a Chickasaw plum tree that was just planted in memory of Secreast’s daughter Molly Isenhour, who died April 30 of last year.

“They are putting a stone under the tree as well, and I appreciate so much the garden’s honoring her,” said Secreast, who noted that as the first anniversary of Molly’s death approaches, it is hard.

“To be outside on the beautiful day like this, in a garden that does so much to serve our community and to know they have honored her here, helps,” she said.

In addition to planting and overall maintenance outside the boxes, Harris said the gazebo in the garden is also a work in progress and funds will go to help finish it.

A food pantry box at the front of the garden was just rebuilt by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College professor Raymond Powell and his students in his woodworking and cabinetry class, and volunteers also built the benches inside the gazebo. A lot of volunteer effort has gone in across the board for the project.

Additionally, Ray praised not just the town for supporting the garden, but several specific town departments that help as well.

“Joel Taylor from public works will come and fill the boxes halfway with dirt from the town,” she said. “And Chief (Michael) Lanning and the fire department come and fill the water barrels for us when we need it.”

Ray and Nero are originally from New York, and reconnected in North Carolina.

“Spencer is not like anywhere else,” said Ray. “Maybe it’s because it’s a small town, but everyone works together, everyone is supportive, and it’s a great place to live as well as to do business.”

Nancy Boyd, who moved to Spencer nine years ago, said when she first moved to town she knew no one.

“So I joined everything,” she laughed. As a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, she was assigned as the liaison to the Community Appearance Commission, which is how she then began involved in the garden. She baked the biscotti among other treats for the tea, and noted that her involvement has connected her to new friends across the town.

Rev. Lee Robison from the church was also in attendance Sunday, checking in on the garden and the guests.

The garden also hosts an annual Oktoberfest event and Harris says that more events are in the works.

“And they won’t all have to be here on sight, especially once we have the city park completed,” he said.

Already a number of the boxes are sporting newly planted vegetables and herbs. Anyone interested in volunteering, donating materials, making a restricted donation, or who needs more information can email SpencerCommunityGarden@gmail.com.