Dear Gardeners and fellow Homeowners,
There recently has been a flurry of email about a toilet that is part of Claudia Pesenti’s home, the “treehouse” as she refers to it, # 12, in the Farmstead. The toilet is really not inside her home but is apart of her home, on the ground floor of her house and opens to the outside. Most mothers have known about this toilet in dire emergency or convenience with children. Gardeners may know about it because there is a sign in the Garden shed saying it exists. Cocktailers on a Saturday night may have frequented it in a pinch. Claudia Pesenti, this year and in past years, has graciously left this toilet open for those Tryoners who might need it. Past users may have tidied it a bit, so it was of no concern until of late when one person, a Farmsteader, checking on it noticed it was very untidy. The flurry of email was about who should be responsible for its cleaning. I was brought into this conversation because, as Garden Steward, my volunteer position is oversight on what is happening in the Garden and, because the toilet is open to Gardeners. It was suggested that perhaps Gardeners should take the responsibility. As opinions parlayed back and forth, the Noonans stepped up and said they would gladly have it cleaned because they might need it for sales clients. But one Tryonite in the conversation was strongly of the opinion that we don’t have enough volunteerism here at Tryon and that the toilet should be taken care of by Tryon residents. Others agreed but thought it not the responsibility of the Farmstead but perhaps Woods and Dunes people might step up as they may be users.
As Garden steward I have personally experienced some incredible Tryon volunteerism this Spring at the garden. We have all seen volunteerism in our elected and appointed officers and committees, and in the Tryon Farm Institute and its cleanup days. But who wants to volunteer to clean a toilet and make sure it is stocked with TP? Who uses it? Somebody does, and maybe more than just somebody but several bodies. Those bodies who have had need to use the facility might be willing to step up to take care of it. There isn’t much left of summer but a volunteer(s) will establish the accountability for future use to allow it to continue to be open in coming summers. The gesture of those who use it and take care of it is about improving community. Claudia Geise, proprietor of Tryon Farm Guesthouse, who doesn’t have need to use it, stepped up and did the first checking, cleaning and stocking –. So if you feel like that toilet might be a part of your world, let’s hear from you. Thank you for your time in reading this message.
Debra Sawyer #51
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