Shelley's Garden Center

05/23/2026

Lets celebrate life together!
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05/22/2026

With his gentle nature and green thumb, John Chambers was "truly a legend" in Branford, officials said.

05/19/2026

John E. Chambers of Branford, a man whose presence was matched only by the size of his heart, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Connecticut Hospice after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and deep love for the world around him. He was the beloved husband of Yvette Phenix Chambers.

John was born in New Haven on March 23, 1957, a son of the late Norman R. Chambers, Jr. and Marion Schmidt Chambers, and was a lifelong resident of Branford. He and his family owned Shelley’s Garden Center on Main Street in Branford for many years until its closing in 2023.

In addition to Yvette, John is survived by his children, Christiane (Andy) Fowler of Clinton and Taylor (Benjamin) Chambers-Scussel of Branford; his grandchildren, Henry Fowler and Ava, Aurora, and Autumn Scussel; and his sister, Michele (Alan) Santos of Vermont. He was predeceased by his brother, Norman R. Chambers, III.

John was truly a gentle soul who cared deeply for all of God’s creatures, great and small. Throughout his life, he moved through the world with a quiet reverence for nature, taking immense pride in cultivating remarkable plants of every kind. To know John was to know a man rarely seen without a faithful German Shepherd by his side; a reflection of his deep bond with animals and his loyal, protective nature.

His personality was, in every sense, larger than life. John had a rare gift for brightening any room. He was often the first to make others laugh, offer a playful nickname, or greet someone with his signature warm, welcoming handshake. Beneath his joyful humor, however, was a steady and peaceful presence; a source of strength for his family and community whose impact will be felt for years to come.

Burial services will be held privately. In honor of John’s lifelong commitment to the land and the industry he loved, his legacy will continue to foster the premiere agricultural leaders of tomorrow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in John’s memory to the FFA and 4-H youth programs, ensuring his passion for agricultural leadership inspires future generations. To learn more about John’s deep dedication to agriculture and our family’s enduring legacy; past, present, and future, please visit foxfieldfarm.net, where you can also learn about the FFA and 4-H youth programs that will help ensure his passion for agricultural leadership continues to inspire future generations.

05/03/2026

Today, on May 3rd is my mother's birthday. The woman that keeps everything held together, organized, sanitary, educated by the Bible and read the entire book of etiquette. No matter what happens in life she is grounded and there. The mitriarch that was handed a lot to keep afloat and is showed glory effortlessly with class and ease. A mother that I aspire to be like someday.Considering unfortunately, her super sanitary neat gene skipped me... but the foundation that I was raised upon, is something admirable and worth appreciated acknowledgment.
My father still suffers with cancer and she morning, noon and night, cares for his every need and keeps him alive and as well as can be imagined.
When Yvette Chambers and John first met and they were getting to know each other. It was a very odd
Foundry to know that John's mother Marion also shared the same birthday of May 3 showing another divine sign that their true love was bound in more than attraction but a true fate that was meant to be for the rest of their lifetimes together. We honor Grandma with memories of a lifetime and we cherish Yvette for taking over the roll Marion entrusted her with to go into the future and cultivate grow.

04/28/2026

Calling in all the prayer warriors.
Big Papa will go in for his 9th surgery today.
Its all a lets look and find and act type of experiment.
After 3 year journey he does have cancer in many places. They will Hopefully be able to do something that will help preserve him. And extend and give him a little bit more time. However, every procedure we worry, every time he's admitted to the hospital, we pray. This has been a very long cancer sentence for his wife Yvette. His true main lead, caregiver and nurse at his beckoning call. And for everyone in the wake of his cancer journey it was been a sad road.
Even if you were to see him today he still "looks good".... I don't think classic hollywood handsome ever can look bad... my Grandfather was a silver fox till the last day too. So when you think people look good, remind yourself that what you see is not always what is real... "looks great.....Dieing on the inside... " literally...
The past 3 years have been truly a gift. Because the cancer sentence was bestowed on a warrior bigfoot that still had a lot of life to live and a lot of affairs, To handle. .so let's hope he thrives in surgery today so he can come home again from this hospital stay! And we all can carry on to our usual/unusual programming.. lol
Thank you! We love and appreciate it!

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

Town history
Updates
Gratitude
Dedication
Committed
Loyalty

CHATTIN' with COLIN... - Episode 16 - Taylor Chambers, Fox Field Farm/Shelley's Garden Center

01/19/2026

🚨ATTENTION CONNECTICUT FARMERS!

Join us for a Farmer’s Forum on Tuesday, January 20, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT.

We want to hear directly from YOU about the impacts of PA-490, which is driving property tax hikes on farmland across Connecticut. Our senators want to listen to your experiences, discuss the challenges you’re facing, and talk through potential solutions.

We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday and make your voices heard about this important issue.

Please spread the word and share this information with others who may be interested in attending!

01/16/2026

In 24 hours we have 1487 full valid signatures on the petition to Correct the PA-490 Land Tax Increases.

Please share and sign this partisan petition by sharing this link: www.savectland.org

This new land assessment will triple or quadruple taxes on:
Wineries and vineyards
Orchards
Berry farms
Christmas tree farms
Tree nurseries and plant nurseries
Flower farms and cut flower operations
Greenhouses and hoop house land
Maple syrup and sugarbush land
Horse farms
Boarding farms
Training and lesson facilities
Breeding operations
Therapeutic riding programs
Livestock boarding facilities
Managed forest land
Timber land
Private wood lots
Tree farms
Wetlands
Family-owned undeveloped woodland
Privately owned open space
Meadows and fields not actively farmed
Wildlife habitat land
Buffer land between properties
Conservation land not owned by the state
Homes with surrounding farmland
Farm and forest combinations

This is not just about farmers. This is about land preservation, food security, property rights, and the future of Connecticut’s rural and semi rural communities.

Disclaimer This petition is submitted by Fields of Support Foundation , a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) charitable organization formed during the response to the Hurricane Helene disaster in North Carolina....