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The Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden
On a sunny spring Sunday afternoon yesterday, neighbors gathered at 78 Chestnut Street to give the Bayside Community Garden a name worthy of the woman who helped build it.
The garden is now officially the Deb Van Hoewyk Bayside Community Garden.
City Councilor Sarah Michniewicz kicked things off by picking up a screwgun and bolting the new sign to the garden shed herself. It is now officially, permanently, on the record. Then Deb’s nieces and nephews who were present planted flowers at the entrance to the garden.
Councilor Michniewicz, BNA President Tom Blackburn, and Deb’s husband John Van Hoewyk all spoke, sharing memories of a woman who gave so much of herself to this neighborhood — as a BNA board member for over a decade, a grant writer, a program builder, and an unfailingly generous presence who had a gift for bringing people together. Deb helped create the Bayside World Market & Fair, the Black Frame Art Sale, summer lunches at Unity Village, ESOL programming at the Immigrant Welcome Center, and was instrumental in getting the community garden funded and off the ground. She was still deep in the work of building the Bayside Opportunity Center when she passed away in August 2025.
To make it official, John cut the ceremonial ribbon alongside Deb’s sisters, Patience and Priscilla — a moment that was equal parts poignant and joyful, the kind of thing Deb herself would have appreciated.
The Deb Van Hoewyk Community Garden is located at 78 Chestnut Street, and it’s open for the season. More information is available here.
Spring Cleanup Success!
Dozens of neighbors and friends showed up yesterday to pitch in and help with the Annual BNA Spring Cleanup in collaboration with the City of Portland’s Great Portland Pickup. Thanks to Karly Meyer of the City of Portland’s Office of Sustainability and Leyla Hashi of Portland Parks Conservancy for helping put together the city-wide effort, to Eighty-8 Donuts and Coffee by Design for keeping us fueled up, and to Charlie Mitchell and staff at Bayside Bowl for hosting the afterparty. A great start to Bayside Week!
Along the way, some intrepid litter-pickers noticed some new neighbors in Bayside—the Bayside Gnome Roam got underway yesterday also. Here’s a sneak peek at some photos we’ve received already from gnome hunters:
As you can see, our friend Artie is in on the hunt too! follow him on instagram@mainely_the_child
You’re also likely to run into another beloved Bayside neighbor, the “Bayside Bunny” (okay there’s probably more than one) posing here for a gnome hunter’s camera. Be careful not to disturb the bunnies—or gnomes—and leave them where you find them for others to enjoy.
The Bayside Gnome Roam Begins!
How It Works: Start any time during Bayside Week, but get a headstart including hints and how-tos at the BNA Spring Cleanup Saturday April 25th from 10-noon at the Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street.
During Bayside Week (April 25–May 2) you can find gnomes hidden all over the neighborhood. See below for photos and clues on where to find them. Track them down in real life, snap your own photo and email it to gnomes@baysideportland.org or paste it into the uploader on the bottom of the page.
Capture the spirit of Bayside and win big. Your photos could earn you neighborhood gear, gift cards to local favorites, or a gnome of your very own!
We’ll get together at the end of the week to share stories, photos, and collect prizes. Join us at Wilson County BBQ on Hanover Street Sunday May 3rd at 5pm for the announcement of the Gnome-coming King and Queen!
Note: Please do not touch, move, tamper with, disturb or otherwise harass the gnomes. They are very sensitive; remember that the Bayside gnomes live here too, and if you move them they could get lost or confused. Please think of your fellow gnome hunters, too! Try to take a unique photo that shows that you and your hunting party were there with the gnome. Make it fun for everyone!
BEHIND THE SCENES: Maine Clay Collaborative Kiln Unload: Gnome Edition
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