By: Millbury Sutton Chronicle, July 31, 2019
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is pictured with family members of the late Lt. David Kalagher as well as community recipients of the Worcester County Sheriff Office’s Organic Garden Vegetables, including Sutton Senior Center Director Michelle Edelstein and Millbury Senior Center Director Judy O’Connor as they gather around the newly unveiled “David Kalagher Memorial Garden” sign at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction located in West Boylston.
Robert Kalagher, first cousin of the late Lt. Kalagher shares a few words during the “David Kalagher Memorial Garden” Dedication Ceremony. Also pictured are Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, and Representatives from Community Organizations who are recipients of the organic vegetables including Sutton Senior Center Director Michelle Edelstein and Millbury Senior Center Director Judy O’Connor.
Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis is pictured with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Maintenance Department during the “David Kalagher Memorial Garden” Dedication Ceremony held on July 26th at the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction located in West Boylston. The Maintenance Department worked daily with Lt. David Kalagher on the Organic Farming Program and continue to maintain the fields and crops after his passing. Also pictured is WCSO Communications Director and Sutton resident Kimberly Roy.
On Friday, July 26, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office held a dedication ceremony for an organic garden in loving memory of the late “three-decker farmer” Lt. David Kalagher, at the Worcester County Jail & House of Correction located in West Boylston.
The organic farm is 15 acres in size.
The agriculturally rich land sat dormant for many years until Sheriff Lew Evangelidis enlisted Lt. Kalagher to farm it back to life. Under Lt. Kalagher’s green thumb, the farm began to thrive, according to Mr. Evangelidis.
All organic, the crops include several varieties of squash, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, corn and more. To date, over 100,000 pounds are fresh organic produce has been donated to food pantries, veterans groups and community centers throughout Worcester
County. In addition to assisting those less fortunate, the inmate population benefits as well learning valuable farming skills and enjoying the fruits of their labor by having the fresh produce, during the harvest months, with their meals.
Lt. Kalagher died of cancer on May 24 at the age of 62. A beloved employee and colleague, he worked many years on the blocks, but his greatest love was the farm at the Sheriff’s Department. Under his green thumb and guidance, the organic farming program at the jail flourished, providing thousands of pounds of fresh organic vegetables at the jail, as well as helping those less fortunate in the community every year. Even after his retirement, Lt. Kalagher remained an important presence on the farm.
“For all of us, those fields will always remind us of David and his legacy to our department,” Mr. Evangelidis said.
