Project: Center for Active Living
Garden club member and project lead Candice Murphy watering the newly planted garden while husband Ron takes a well deserved break. COURTESY JULIA WRIGHT
The New Flagpole Garden
The Story Behind the Story
While visiting the Sandwich Center for Active Living (COA) during the early summer of 2026, Candice Murphy took note of the large, sadly neglected area surrounding the flagpole. It detracted from the welcoming vibe that this lovely community center deserved, and she quickly realized that she could do something to turn an eyesore into eye candy.
Thus it began.
Candice began putting out feelers, garnering support from Senior and Community Services Director Susan Marancik; the Sandwich Garden Club and the Sandwich Tree and Landscape Committee -- both organization to which Candice belongs; and the Public Works Department.
Thankfully there was a precedent for planning a town garden: the lovely Oak Crest Cove garden at the entrance to the Sandwich Recreation Department. Those records were a springboard to action.
Candice then laid out a garden design. The goal was a low maintenance and drought tolerant pollinator garden utilizing as many native plants as possible.
Next she contacted Scenic Roots Garden Center co-owner Donna Kutil Ross, who graciously offered a 20% discount. Candice then put a budget together for the plants, hoses, mulch, and signage. And she mailed off a soil sample for analysis.
Laying out the plants according to Candice's design. COURTESY JUNE MURPHY
In the blink of an eye -- at least it seemed like that to those of us watching Candice in action -- she had met with the Visitors Services Board, which threw its support behind the project with a generous $5,000 grant.
It was happening!
The DPW removed the grass. Garden club co-president Linda Fox kindly donated pavers for a walkway from the street to the flagpole. Candice and husband Ron laid out the walkway and rototilled the soil.
By early October, approximately 180 plants were ready for pickup and planting. Beginning at 9 a.m. on October 8, volunteers from the Sandwich Garden Club and the Tree and Landscape Committee got busy. The plants were transported from Scenic Roots and unloaded at the COA. The pots were laid out according to Candice's plan, not the easiest task with the overactive wind blowing the pots here and there. Next, the hard labor began. Digging. Lots and lots of digging.
Amazingly, within three hours the job was done. In fact, it was accomplished so quickly that volunteers were still arriving only to find most everyone gone and Candice watering in her babies.
Heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who made this lovely new garden a reality, and very special thanks to Candice and Ron who truly went above and beyond.
Candice offering direction to the volunteers. COURTESY RON MURPHY
Volunteers digging and planting. COURTESY NANCY CROSSMAN
Club member Anne Morin at work with a smile. COURTESY JUNE MURPHY
VOLUNTEERS (l to r): Joan Osgood, Andrea Stupka, Julia Wright, Wendy Nelson, June Murphy, Ann Morin, Nancy Crossman, Janie Ellis, and project lead Candice Murphy. NOT PICTURED: Diane & Dennis Boucher, Carol Dubay, Ron Murphy, Joe Murphy, Beth Hearn. COURTESY RON MURPHY