Arlene Tolopko, Unstoppable
By Margie Klein
November 2026
In 2009, Eve Kummel brought the idea of creating a community garden to Arlene Tolopko, who was then the chair of the Otis Cultural Council. Together, they formulated a business plan that stressed the importance of sharing fresh, free, and organically grown vegetables to feed the area’s most economically stressed families and seniors in Otis.
The mission, a communal cause for young and old across all economic strata, binds members together to share the bounty with the rest of the community. The garden was funded privately by the sale of memberships and donations of tools and money. When a town-owned plot was researched for the establishment of the garden, it was rejected due to a number of environmental factors. Andy Pyenson stepped in to offer his fertile farmland. His father, Max Pyenson, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Otis and Sandisfield, offered to support the garden and cover the members with liability insurance. Every garden begins with a seed, but it also begins with an idea and someone who believes in it.
Arlene Tolopko (4th from left) appears with her husband, Frank Tolopko, and the gardening crew! Photo by Gail Natori
This is Arlene Tolopko. It is people like Arlene who step up to the plate and get the job done. She recruited many of her neighbors from Harrington Woods and talked up the garden at Cultural Council meetings. She knew everyone who could help. Without Arlene, this garden would not exist. We as new members have to remember how things came about; how change and dedication by motivated, vision-minded people can make our garden happen. We give thanks to our founding members who had not only a vision and desire for a garden, but also made it happen. So, as Arlene moves to her next adventure, we want to thank her for planting the first seed–not only in the soil, but in our community.
If you would like more information about the garden, please email Otismagarden@gmail.com. You can pick up a form and sign up at the Otis Library or Town Hall, or you may join us by emailing Otismagarden@gmail.com.