A Labor of Love: How Volunteers Bring the Observatory’s Gardens to Life 

By Wendy Almeida

If you’ve driven past the grounds of the Mount Washington Observatory’s North Conway office in spring or summer, chances are you’ve admired the gardening handiwork of Bill Ofsiany and Barbara Althen. At the Observatory’s valley office, Bill and Barbara have quietly shaped the landscape with color, care, and a gardener’s determination to make each year better than the last. 

“We’ve been volunteering close to 20 years,” Bill says, recalling how it all began with a simple offer to help hand out fliers at a Science in the Mountains program. That moment sparked years of service, both in the garden and beyond. Reflecting on their work together, Barbara adds, “We like being productive and busy, and like being able to support the Observatory in this way.” 

In the years since, the couple has transformed the gardens at the Observatory’s valley location into a blooming landscape. Barbara explains, “Bill is the brain behind the garden. His plant background and science knowledge support the project.” Bill adds, “Most of the perennials growing around the Obs came from my house. Usually in May is when I bring up potted perennials and plant them.” 

Bill and Barbara noticed a lull in blooms during the late summer and introduced marigolds to brighten things up. “Perennials have a very limited bloom time. We realized August and early September is kind of a dead spot. That’s when marigolds are at their peak, so we started planting them.” 

Their approach is not only colorful but sustainable. Bill is an advocate for mulching with leaves rather than hauling them away. “Instead of having the leaves be a problem, it was a great way to get organic material.” From mulching to plant selection, the couple’s efforts ensure the garden thrives throughout the seasons. 

“Much of our job is reigning in the perennials,” Barbara explains. “They need to be divided every few years, so when we are digging plants, we frequently have a bunch to give away. Most people don’t realize that Bill starts annuals at home, and we bring them up to fill in holes and brighten up the fall. It is nice to work and then, when we are done, the gardens look fresh and neat and beautiful—that is a joy in itself.” 

Barbara is quick to point out that she and Bill aren’t the only ones tending the gardens. “Donna Gray has helped us and put in many hours. We work and talk, which is as good as it gets.” Donna is also responsible for the large bulb donations last fall that are now blooming this spring. 

The volunteer gardeners also work closely with Greg Fitch, the Observatory’s facilities manager, who helps keep the gardens thriving between their visits. “Greg has been a huge help. We work with him, and he helps us out when we need assistance. He also keeps an eye on the gardens when we aren’t there.” 

While Bill continues to volunteer at the summit and tends more than 100 perennials at home, both he and Barbara bring their green thumbs to other places too—including ten raised vegetable beds at the Rose City Senior Center in Norwich, Connecticut, where all the vegetables they grow are donated to seniors. 

Through all their work, Bill and Barbara’s dedication to the Observatory community shines—in every planting, colorful bloom, and the many hours they’ve volunteered. As Bill reflects on the garden he’s helped cultivate, he calls it “mine” affectionately. 

“I want the garden to be better than last year. Every year. Sooner or later, I’ll probably get there.” 

A big thank you to Bill, Barbara, and everyone involved in taking care of our natural spaces!