So Much More Than a Garden

White River Junction Considering the cost of water, fertilizer and his own labor, it would probably be cheaper to buy vegetables than grow them himself, but to Nalin Patel, the garden on the grounds of the Pine Crest Motel is a worthwhile investment.

Thats our hobby, said Patel, who with his family owns the 20-unit business on Route 5.

As vegetarians, Patel and his wife, Raksha, share food duties. Nalin, 76, takes care of the gardens, which include grapes, apples, and an array of vegetables, among them varieties of hot peppers, beans, cucumber and eggplant commonly grown in the Patels native India. Two bathtubs alongside the single-story motel overflow with cilantro, dill, garlic and chives . Raksha, 72, uses the produce to make meals and various chutneys.

The vegetables are very good, she said, grinning. Hes a very good farmer.

In addition to providing the couple with fresh food and a healthy pastime, the garden is a source of gifts for people who are important to them. Raksha recently put up several jars of pickled green grapes to bring to Maine, where the couple gathered with her family for Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between a brother and sister. They donate produce to a local food shelf and are generous with their neighbors and motel guests, some of whom stay for extended periods of time. Its their garden, too, Nalin said.

Ray Charpiot, a Pine Crest resident for more than three years, said its not unusual to find a bag of fresh fruit on his doorstep. They are old-school, good neighbor-type people, he said.

Charpiot, 73, retired a few years ago after working for local auto parts stores. He has faced a series of health problems and last year had open heart surgery. The Patels visited him in the hospital before and after the operation, said Charpiot, who has no relatives locally. Their relationship is more like family than landlord and tenant.

Charpiot manages the motel when the Patels are away on short trips and during their annual months-long visit to India, when they stay on their 32-acre farm, which produces sugarcane, rice, mango and banana.

The motel tenants generally know each other and get along, Charpiot said. Most of the people who live here are pretty good.

Preparing dinner, Raksha makes extra to share with Randy Osmer, who enjoys her spicy cooking. The generosity is catching Osmer recently made beef stew to share with his fellow motel guests. A White River Junction native, he likes the motels vibe. Its peaceful out here, not dealing with the rat race in town, said Osmer, who works reconditioning cars and helps maintain the motel property.

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So Much More Than a Garden