Milton Stewart and Nancy Irving are shown presenting Rita Christensen, the manager of the Food Pantry at IAM, with produce from the First Congregational Church Friendship Garden. Our members feel strongly that efforts of this nature contribute to the welfare of the community in addition to the pleasures of working together and seeing things grow.Our Friendship Garden is coming along nicely and producing lots of
veggies—and weeds! Many thanks to those who have spent time on their hands and knees and using a hoe to help stop the invasion! To date, we have donated over 100 pounds of fresh produce to the Rescue Mission and IAM. Excess has been available to our church members at the Sunday coffee hour. We have had a plentiful supply of summer squash, green beans, collard greens, and onions. The broccoli and cabbage harvest is over for the season, and tomatoes are turning red every day. Lots of watermelon and sweet potatoes are still to come, along with some corn, Milton is working on an irrigation system using the spring as water source, and we had the large willow oak tree trimmed in order to provide more sun. The Clintons donated a glass-topped table to put in the screened gazebo and the Fagerlins introduced Bubba the Scarecrow to a permanent home in the garden—where the crows seem to love him!! Thanks to Pete and Tess for donating lots of useful garden tools, which have already been put to good use. Thanks also to everyone contributed money via our donation containers. We are already planning for next year, and hope to continue providing even more for those in need in our community.The Friendship Gardeners
