According to Google, to debrief someone means to question or interview them after an experience or mission to gather information, review what happened, and learn from the event. Well, here I go with the debriefing.
On May 9th, 2026 the Department of Recreation and Parks of the Village of Walden and The Fig Tree Guy (that would be me, myself and I) hosted the first biannual Fig Tree Learning Exchange event at the Anita L. Vandermark Community Center, located at the James W. Olley Community Park.
During this event participants had the chance to exchange fig tree cuttings or potted fig trees with fellow growers, share tips, stories, and real-world fig-growing experiences and they mingled. The Fig Tree Guy gave a short, informative presentation covering fig tree care, along with the benefits and drawbacks of potted versus in-ground fig trees. Beverages and light snacks were provided.
The event, as a whole, was a tremendous success. We welcomed 35 attendees along with two vendors who brought an assortment of wonderful fig trees, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, conversation, and a shared passion for growing figs.
The Village generously provided us with the opportunity to host the event in the beautiful new Anita L. Vandermark Community Center, a setting that made the day feel even more special. On a personal note, I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Anita L. Vandermark not only as a friend, but also as a mentor and neighbor. I still smile when I remember mentioning the building and leaving out her middle initial, “L.” She would quickly correct me every time. Those small moments stay with me. I truly miss her, and seeing her name on the building made the day especially meaningful.
A couple of attendees traveled all the way from Connecticut, and that brought me tremendous joy. I had made a real effort to promote the event on social media, so seeing people willing to travel such a distance felt both rewarding and encouraging. It reminded me that a shared passion for fig trees truly has no borders.
But as rewarding as that was, this event succeeded because of the efforts of many. It truly took a village to make it all happen:
- The office of Mike Bliss, Recreation and Parks Coordinator;
- Laura Fanizzi, Village of Walden Recreation & Parks Aide;
- The creator/owner of the Facebook group Hudson Valley Fig Growers;
- Kristine Hickey and Eileen Panagiotopoulos who welcomed everyone at the entrance, not to mention all the shopping and planning they did;
- Andrea Siragusa, the owner of the Facebook group 3ManiFig that provided many handsome, potted fig trees for sale;
- Chris Sternheimer Cummings who made available for sale many beautiful fig trees;
Of course, how could I forget the people who came out to enjoy the day and spend time among fellow fig tree enthusiasts? Events like this are about much more than fig trees, they’re about bringing people together through a shared passion. One of the most rewarding parts for me was listening to the conversations, comments, and suggestions offered throughout the day. I learned quite a bit myself, and the feedback shared will help make future events even better.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank those generous individuals who donated beautiful fig trees from their personal collections. Their contributions added a special touch to the event and helped make the raffle a tremendous success. Judging by the smiles at the end of the day, many attendees went home not only with new fig trees, but with happy memories as well.
Here some images from that day. Enjoy.
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Stay tuned, keep on rootin’ and happy growing!
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