Wednesday, July 23, 2014

20th Anniversary

Congratulations Ginkgo Organic Gardens for making 20 years happen!  On Saturday the 12th of July we had our Anniversary Celebration in 3 parts.

We began with a light monsoon that threatened to put the kibosh on the whole event.  Unbelievably, volunteers showed up at 9 am in raincoats, carrying coffee and even carrying the most gorgeous cupcakes imaginable.  We managed to get a soggy harvest in and spent a lot of time under the shed catching up, marveling over the garden, and considering the fate of the party.  As the torrent turned to a trickle Dave Snyder, veteran volunteer, and Eric Salas, co-founder of Ginkgo, took the harvest up to the pantry.

In part two, we set up a treat-feast as the exhausted clouds hung above us. The clouds must have taken pity after seeing that we would not be stopped in our festivities and we had a dry and pleasant afternoon.  Treats included among others, homemade cupcakes with vegetable decals crafted from candy, a foraged berry lemonade spritzer, delicious baked goods from Gingersnap Sweets, and a watermelon carved in the most elegant and expert way I've ever seen!

Part two also gave us the opportunity to hear from the founders of the garden Jill Baldwin, Eric Salas, Ruth Milius as well as other volunteers, members of the steering committee and our Chicago Cares liaisons.  I can't explain how fortunate I feel to have stood in the same circle with these people.  Our founders traveled from near (Chicago) and far (Massachusetts) and the space in between to be there. Because they traveled, I have a better portrait of the garden to give when people ask how the garden has survived for 20 years.

Part three brought us to Ten Cat for beverages and Italian food. The weather cooperated and we all got to catch up.  Over and over throughout the day I heard the phrase "show up".  The garden is only possible because people show up every week.  It took a little longer for radishes to show up because we didn't have enough water.  New and old faces show up.  It should be our anthem.  Show Up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Preview attachment ginkgo_anniversary_20.pdf

Ginkgo Organic Gardens celebrates 20 years outgrowing hunger!

Ginkgo Organic Gardens is an all-volunteer community garden in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood that grows fruits and vegetables for those in need using only organic methods.  Since 1994, Ginkgo has been out-growing hunger by donating our harvests to local hunger fighting organizations.  In recent years we have donated 1,000 – 1,500 pounds of produce annually to Vital Bridges GroceryLand, a food pantry that serves low-income persons living with HIV. 

On Saturday, July 12th, Ginkgo will raise a trowel and raise a glass to two decades of service.  Please join us for a workday in the morning, a reception at noon, and a late lunch in the afternoon.   Drop by at any time, leave at any time, but take a weed with you when you go.

Schedule:
9:00 - 12:00 -- Harvest and workday (at Ginkgo, 4055 N Kenmore)
12:30 - 3:00 -- Dedication, reception and light snacks (at Ginkgo, 4055 N Kenmore)
3:00 - onward -- Late lunch and carousing (at Ten Cat Tavern, 3931 N Ashland Ave)

Please RSVP at: info@ginkgogardens.org

(Note: there is a Cubs game at Wrigley Field on the 12th.  We encourage you to take public transportation rather than driving.)