The Country Gardeners, a local gardening group based in the Hawley area, reported a successful summer harvest raised by area adults with disabilities and children mentored by the group in the area of the Community Garden behind the Hawley Public Library.
Madeleine Barry, publicity chairperson, reported that the harvest for the section known as the Bookworm Friendship Garden at the library at 103 Main Ave. began on Aug. 27. The activity conducted by The Country Gardeners is in partnership with the library and is meant to pass on gardening skills and give the children and adults they serve experience growing their own food.
In the news release, Barry stated, “Surrounded by large yellow marigolds, children and adults happily filled bags with tomatoes and string beans. Butternut squash and pumpkins grew in abundance on vines. In addition, basil, kale, parsley, and mesclun greens were available for picking. Children excitedly showed parents what they had gathered, and adults joked about what ‘good fun’ they were having.”
Sally Ann Whalen of The Country Gardeners reported earlier that on July 16, a raffle was held for three cucumbers the children had raised this summer as part of the Bookworm Friendship Garden Club. Whalen said that Lydia, Declan and Jason won. All the children took home kale, lettuce, mesclun, spinach, radish, and three different kinds of basil.
The program continued through August. Parents register their children, ages 4 to 12, at the library for the gardening program, which starts in the spring. Children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The adults were from the Human Resource Center, a nonprofit that serves and supports adults with disabilities in northeast Pennsylvania. The program teaches life, social, and employment skills, based on an individual’s choices and needs. For more information, call 570-253-3782 or visit www.hrcinc.org.
The Country Gardeners meet on the first Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Brookfield Environmental Learning Center, 126 Lamberton Lane, outside of Hawley at Lake Wallenpaupack. Barry stated that all are welcome, and admission is free.
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com.
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