Yesterday brought us a beautiful, crisp autumn morning and a successful Harvest Celebration. The garden team gathered at 9 a.m. to get things set up and an hour later our attendees began to join us. There were several people there from the neighborhood and community, as well as representatives from Healthy Kingsport, community organizations and non-profits, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Kitchen of Hope and the mayor of the City of Kingsport.
Margot Seay from AARP talked about the season's success, Charlie Glass from Healthy Kingsport talked about that group and introduced Mayor Dennis Phillips, and then Mayor Phillips, on behalf of Healthy Kingsport, recognized the garden's major sponsors for their contribution to the community through Harvest of Hope.
Susan Lodal read a congratulatory statement from Steven Hopp of The Harvest Table Restaurant in Meadowview, Va. and then unveiled a new program and logo called Feed Kingsport -- an effort that will serve to raise awareness of hunger in Kingsport as well as coordinate resources and outreach to the hungry.
Alison from our garden team awarded gardeners for their efforts -- both in gardening and helping us with data collection. Paul (previously profiled on the blog) received an award for regularly turning in garden reports (and helping us with the garden). Master Gardener Nancy received a pot of mums for her office co-workers and her leadership over the Kitchen of Hope garden. That garden turned in more reports than anyone else! Since seven gardeners were present at the celebration, each one receive an award. Shirlene had a generous supply of giveaways, so we had many winners among the gardeners and also the rest of the group when we drew for door prizes.
We had lots of food -- some of it included muffins given to us by The Mustard Seed, muffins made by our garden team, Tennessee caviar from UT Extension Agent Shirlene, and locally made goat cheese by Andrea and Jack from Ziegenwald Dairy.
Shirlene doubled as a lovely broccoli, and brought lots of information and materials from the Extension Service on healthy eating. She had goodies for kids and parents to take away. A few people picked up packets for gardens next year.
Kroger and Earth Fare donated reusable grocery bags and everyone got to take one. There were displays of information and giveaways from AARP, Tennessee Master Gardeners, Ziegenwald Dairy and the UT Extension.
Kroger and Earth Fare donated reusable grocery bags and everyone got to take one. There were displays of information and giveaways from AARP, Tennessee Master Gardeners, Ziegenwald Dairy and the UT Extension.
Rick Wagner from the Times-News and a cameraman were also present. There's a story on the garden on the front of the Life section of the paper today.
Thanks again go out to God, to all the gardeners and to everyone who has put forth effort to make our garden so successful. Please pray for our further growth and success in 2012, and please come grow with us!
