Fri Jan 19: Growing Closer, Building Community, And Slowing Spending & Taxation

Plus: City shares reminder of warming station locations

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

“Plants don’t talk or even move around much, so you might not think they would be much use to help build a community. But I think that you might be surprised.”

In her new column, Master Gardener Jennifer Deeks shares stories of community building and connection through gardening.

Whether you garden for sustenance or beauty – or, like me, missed out on the green thumb gene and so doubly appreciate the gardening prowess of others – we hope you appreciate the sentiment.

Jennifer’s column has me remembering a prolific local gardener, the late Bruce Hall. I’d like to share something he wrote in May 2016, after a community fundraiser to replace plants that were removed in a dispute with the City a year prior.

Source: Bruce Hall, Facebook

“I have been extremely busy dawn to dusk, rebuilding the gardens (when I can sneak out away from the oh so busy computer world), preparing the dahlias and other plants, still waiting for a wee bit better weather to begin letting the brugmansia’s get some sun, though they are very eager.

I have a few nice folk running around now helping to prepare the dahlias, planters, and baskets for the season. I have invested in a number of tubers to bring back the diveristy of dahlias to the garden, so the August and September show should be spectacular!” - Bruce Hall, 1958-2022

Bruce’s gardens were legendary, matched only in scope and popularity by his seasonal inflatables at Renewed Computer.

Anne and John at Grey Gallery have gifted the community another place to connect and grow in their Grey Gardens, between the Gallery and Scotiabank.

Grey Garden Mural by Raquell Yang, with community garden beds. Image credit: Grey Gallery

Even as a non-gardener, I look forward to Jennifer’s monthly column as it surfaces connections and memories like these.

Do you have a unique perspective to share with the community, or know someone who does? Reach out to me at owensoundcurrenteditor@gmail.com and let’s talk.

~ Miranda

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