Reading Garden Honors Long Valley Native

Amidst a sea of orange t-shirts reading “I’m Good,” Robin Carlson’s family and friends on Saturday cut the ribbon that officially

Carlson was a teacher and Long Valley native, who graduated from West Morris Central High School.  Carlson succumbed to her battle with cancer in January 2011. The t-shirts were orange as it was Carlson’s favorite color. “I’m good” was the response she gave all who asked how she was doing, no matter how she was really feeling, friends said.

The garden was the brainchild of the , who raised money for the project from its annual Wrobo Run.

“We knew we wanted to make the garden in Robin’s honor, but once we raised the money, we weren’t quite sure where to begin,” said Junior Women’s Club president Kim Reid. “We had so much help from so many people.”

Besides giving a nod to all the Junior Women’s Club members who helped on the project, Reid thanked architect Jason Nicholas and landscaper Paul Johnson for bringing the project to life.

Jefferson Township Mayor Russell Felter, in his remarks, recalled Reid coming to him to ask for use of the property last winter.

“I was happy to give approval to use the property, but I figured they wouldn’t be back for a couple of years until they raised the money,” he said. “I was surprised when they were back in the spring with the money in hand, ready to go.”

A celebration of Carlson’s life accompanied the ribbon cutting. Kaitlyn Hollar and Shannon Flynn, two of her past students, read poems and stories about her. The White Rock School chorus sang “You’ve Got a Friend In Me.” And Carlson’s sister Katie McQueeny spoke words of thanks on behalf of the family.