Ledyard - The summer had been beyond difficult for Peter Bargmann, who owns and operates Alice Acres, a 20-acre farm in Gales Ferry. Seemingly endless rain yielded dismal profits, and Bargmann fell behind on his bills. Selling the farm seemed inevitable.And then, a sort of miracle.

And then, a sort of miracle.The day a newspaper article detailed Bargmann's plight, the community rallied behind him. Friends and strangers knocked on his door to deliver checks or deliberately overpaid for produce at the farm stand. Not a day has passed when someone hasn't helped him out, Bargmann said.

The day a newspaper article detailed Bargmann's plight, the community rallied behind him. Friends and strangers knocked on his door to deliver checks or deliberately overpaid for produce at the farm stand. Not a day has passed when someone hasn't helped him out, Bargmann said."It was pretty crazy," said Bargmann, who said he was embarrassed by all the attention. "It was nonstop down at the farm with people coming in wondering what they could do. People started calling me from all over the place, from Ledyard and a lot of other towns."

"It was pretty crazy," said Bargmann, who said he was embarrassed by all the attention. "It was nonstop down at the farm with people coming in wondering what they could do. People started calling me from all over the place, from Ledyard and a lot of other towns."On Saturday, Oct. 17, neighbors organized a benefit to raise money. Hundreds visited the farm, which hosted a silent auction and bake sales. A hayride, driven by Bargmann, took people around the scenic plot.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, neighbors organized a benefit to raise money. Hundreds visited the farm, which hosted a silent auction and bake sales. A hayride, driven by Bargmann, took people around the scenic plot.On that day Bargmann sold out of pumpkins, which usually last right up to Halloween, the last day the farm is open for the year.

On that day Bargmann sold out of pumpkins, which usually last right up to Halloween, the last day the farm is open for the year."That Saturday of the party, it was just so fun," he said. "Like an old-fashioned block party."

"That Saturday of the party, it was just so fun," he said. "Like an old-fashioned block party."The event raised several thousand dollars, with $2,800 from the bake sale alone. A bank account was set up at the Citizens Bank in Gales Ferry and donations have come in from across the region, said Bargmann and Ledyard residents who helped set up the account.

The event raised several thousand dollars, with $2,800 from the bake sale alone. A bank account was set up at the Citizens Bank in Gales Ferry and donations have come in from across the region, said Bargmann and Ledyard residents who helped set up the account."Especially in this economy, when things are tight for everybody, this really is a good story," said Susan Mendenhall, a former Ledyard mayor. "There's a lot that's not good in the world today, and this was a pleasant thing to see."

"Especially in this economy, when things are tight for everybody, this really is a good story," said Susan Mendenhall, a former Ledyard mayor. "There's a lot that's not good in the world today, and this was a pleasant thing to see."With his inventory nearly sold out, Bargmann is looking to the future. Tens of thousands of dollars have come in from supporters whom Bargmann asked not to name to respect their privacy. Most of his debts are paid off and he is making plans and ordering supplies for next year.

With his inventory nearly sold out, Bargmann is looking to the future. Tens of thousands of dollars have come in from supporters whom Bargmann asked not to name to respect their privacy. Most of his debts are paid off and he is making plans and ordering supplies for next year. "We're not out of the woods yet, but I'm seeing daylight just because of the huge support of the community," Bargmann said.

"We're not out of the woods yet, but I'm seeing daylight just because of the huge support of the community," Bargmann said. "It's mind-boggling, and it renews my faith in the community. It really is something."

"It's mind-boggling, and it renews my faith in the community. It really is something."m.collette@theday.com

m.collette@theday.com