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Victor and Becky Friend, creators of the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Garden

Victor, Becky and Tyler Friend have transformed the overgrown lot where the general store used to stand into a beautiful garden.

Their self-less dedication, combined with countless hours of work, created a garden befitting the memory of  First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt,  who’s life it commemorates.

The materials for the Eleanor Roosevelt Memorial Garden were purchased with funds from the DHHR’s  Green Thumbs & Healthy Joints grant.    The labor for the garden was donated by Becky and Victor Friend; their son Tyler Friend and numerous other AHI volunteers.

In a recent interview about her involvement in Arthurdale, Becky said,   “I have been a Preston County Master Gardener since 2002.   When the opportunity came up for writing a WV AgriAbility Grant, it was my vision to apply it to transform the old co-op store foundation into a colorful garden.    I believe the best gardens are the ones designed for everyone to enjoy.”

Preston County Master Gardeners (PCMG)  have been working to beautify Arthurdale since 2002.  In 2006,  PCMG members designed the “World World II Victory Garden”, which is  located at the Arthurdale Museum house E-15.   This garden won the prestigious Award of Excellence presented  at the WV State Master Gardener Conference.