Tommy Thompson gardeners recall potlucks, seed-sharing and community care

A longtime member of the Tommy Thompson Community Garden recounted roughly 20 years of gardening at the site, which he described as "by far the largest community garden in the state." He recalled cultural exchange among immigrant gardeners — sharing heirloom tomato seeds from Eastern Europe and peppers from Nicaragua — and described potlucks and community rituals that strengthened ties across backgrounds.

The speaker also told stories about volunteers who kept the garden functioning, including a neighbor known as Sonny who took it upon himself to mow and maintain common areas and who was remembered fondly after his death. The account stressed the garden's role in bringing together newcomers and longstanding residents and in building everyday neighborship around food and land stewardship.