Flower Garden Is Dedicated

    The flower garden at the Montauk Community Garden on the grounds of St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church was dedicated in the memory of Sally Martin at a ceremony on Saturday. A parishioner, Mrs. Martin, who died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 65 on Dec. 16, was an ardent supporter of the garden and an active volunteer, another volunteer, Bill Becker, said.

    Amid tall strands of bright-colored flowers, the Rev. Mike Rieder started the ceremony by telling the small crowd how he is often thanked for the garden. He pointed out that all he had done was say okay to the organizers when they asked if they could break ground.

    He then proceeded to sprinkle holy water on a white mosaic plaque with a pink rose that was based on a design by Melissa Berman, also a volunteer. The plaque is embedded on a rock and surrounded by spires of lavender, white and yellow daisies, and salvia. He then sprinkled more blessed water on Gregory Donohue, Mr. Becker, Cheryl Erb, Jennie Baker, Susan Vitale, and Emily Nagle, the gardening crew.

    He introduced Mrs. Martin’s husband, Thomas, and son, Thomas B. Martin, who thanked the group for the dedication. “My Sally would have loved this,” the elder Mr. Martin said. The garden is open for picking on Saturdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Memberships are available for $50 for the season. For that fee, members get orange tote bags that they can fill on “orange tote Wednesdays” with flowers, vegetables, and herbs at a reduced rate.