...And That's My Opinion©
By Sandy Goldman
A
couple of weeks ago I went to another Garden Party. This one was different than
the previous one (see “Me and Ricky Nelson”)
because it was in my neighborhood and the people were friendly and convivial
and not combative. It was the final
stop on the Rogers Park Garden Group’s (RPGG) “Garden Meander”. The preceding, self-guided walking tour
featured five of Rogers Park’s special gardens and ended in the garden of one
of the founders. It was attended by
well over 50 people whose great interest was not only gardening but also
community camaraderie replacing the political rankling of the past few months.
The
Amphora Restaurant, 7547 N. Clark Street (773) 262-5767, provided appetizers of
great variety. I suggest that you go
there for great Mediterranean fare. The food is great! Ask for Josh or Steve
and tell them that Sandy sent you (lol).
The
Rogers Park Garden Club was begun eight months ago and started holding
membership meetings four months ago. It
has earned the distinction of being the fastest growing organization of its
kind the state of Illinois with over 100 members. Its mission is to help groups and citizens build/plant attractive
gardens by aiding and encouraging neighborhood groups, i.e. block clubs or park
councils etc, plan and achieve garden projects for East Rogers Park
beautification.
To
that end they helped the Loyola Keepers Group to replant and revitalize
the two 24’ deteriorating circle gardens in Loyola Park at the
turn-a-round on Morse Ave. and the lake.
Stroll down to the lake and take a look, the gardens are amazing.
On
August 28, Melina Kelson-Podolsky will speak on the subject of “Sustainable
and Edible Gardening.” She is a
graduate of the Culinary Arts School and Kendall Collage. Learn which flowers and leaves are
edible! Add color to your salads!
Expand your culinary scope!
The
Garden Club has already presented prestigious speakers at monthly meetings such
as Terry Guen, Coordinating Landscape Artist for Lurie Garden at Millennium
Park. Other speakers of note were John Eskandari of Gethsemane Gardens and
Northwestern Univ., and Christy Webber of Christy Webber Landscapes, one of the
largest firms in the Chicago area.
There
are plans underway for a community Garden Treasures Sale on Sept, 30th
in front of Charmers Café, Jarvis and Greenview - watch for information. All
proceeds will go to the Community Garden Project 2008.
The
RPGG meetings take place at the Presbyterian Church (Friendship Room), on the
corner of Greenleaf and Greenview at 7 pm.
They meet on the last Tuesday of the month from April to October.
I
don’t know much about flowers and gardening.
My green thumb turned blue years ago (I think about the time I married
Carol). I do, however, know about
organizing, having been personally involved in a number of events in R.P
through the years. These women are to be congratulated. From the seeds/ideas of three people, then
six— the group has grown into a healthy garden whose membership reflects a wide
range of individuals who believe in the Chicago motto “Urbs in Horto”. They epitomize the successful, positive
forces in Rogers Park, which are so often parodied and mocked by petty, negative
self-styled “critics” who hang around on the fringes of society.
In
the light of full disclosure I must reveal that my wife, who is the Treasurer,
is also one of the organizing members.
Membership
is open to all. Please send $10.00
check payable to RPGG, c/o Carol Goldman, 7132 N. Ashland Blvd.: Chicago, IL.
60626. Include name, email, street
address and phone number. Or come to
the next meeting and join there. That’s
all there is to it.
...And that's
my opinion.
And I'm Sandy
Goldman
Send me your e-mail address or those of others who would be
interested and I'll add them to my rapidly growing database of readers.
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E-mail Sandy: smgoldman@ameritech.net