Vandals steal plants from Meredith butterfly garden, twice

MEREDITH — One day after a recent social media post celebrating a new butterfly garden at Meredith Community Center, 11 perennials and two plants were stolen by vandals, baffling Greater Meredith Program leaders, who spearheaded the project.

“It’s disappointing. We have no idea who did this,” said Nancy Lavigne, GMP board member. “I was horrified when I went and saw the gaping holes. There were 11 major plants removed.”

GMP volunteers shared the news on Facebook, while remaining optimistic, writing, “This wasn't just about plants. It was a vision for children and families to enjoy, and the garden represents countless volunteer hours, generous donations, and a shared commitment to making Meredith more beautiful while creating habitat for butterflies and other pollinators.

“To everyone who has supported this project — thank you. Your kindness and commitment to our community far outweigh this disappointing setback. Together, we'll continue to make Meredith bloom.”

The community rallied immediately, with area businesses like Cackleberries Garden Center and Bickford Landscaping donating perennials, plants, soil, and most importantly, support.

“People have stepped forward,” Lavigne said. “There was a big outpouring of individuals who reached out.”

Then, vandals struck again, on Thursday, stealing some of the newly donated replacements.

“I went to plant the replacements in the butterfly garden. Nine more plants have been stolen. So disappointing,” said Lavigne, who is going to keep the plants at her home until they’re planted.

Police are now involved.

“They are installing two cameras,” said Heather LaDue, executive director for GMP. “So disappointing.”

Lavigne led the beautification program, and facilitated the project with student volunteers from Holderness School and Inter-Lakes Middle High School, along with volunteers from GMP.

LaDue works hard to build relationships around the Lakes Region, and area schools are no exception. It’s her hope this relationship-building will help grow their volunteer base.

“I try to work to bring in more volunteers, especially students,” LaDue said. “It’s good they can see mentors.”

It was a needed beautification project, though, Lavigne said.

“It was an area around the community center, meant for locals, not really tourists. It was a very messy and overgrown space, right in front of a patio area that’s more for the workers there,” she said. “It looked awful.”

To start the project, the area needed to be cleared. That’s when the girls lacrosse team at Holderness School stepped up.

“The girls lacrosse team from Holderness School dug that out. They were wonderful,” Lavigne said. “That was a big part of the job, clearing the space.”

Then volunteers began planting and hardscaping. The community center provided mulch and offers irrigation. The garden was finished last month, and now, its second planting will take place this weekend, thanks to the generosity of the Lakes Region.

“We do have all of the materials here,” Lavigne said.

For more information about the Greater Meredith Program, visit greatermeredith.org.

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Katlyn Proctor can be reached at katlyn@laconiadailysun.com or by calling 603-524-0150.