Community Garden Takes Root On Northside

Rhameer Miller lives next door to the garden and was eager to plant a plot for his grandmother and sister.

More than 50 people came out May 30 to plant the new Tapestry Garden on Syracuse's Isabella Street.

Several immigrant families and neighbors selected plots and planted vegetables and flowers. "My garden," one was heard to say, which brought smiles to the WTB Garden Committee.

Beth Killian and her family led the team that built the 15 raised beds. The garden is a cooperative project of Syracuse Grows, SUNY-ESF faculty and students, the Northside Collaboratory and the Center for New Americans. Also involved are Cornell Cooperative Extension, St. Joseph Hospital and neighbors.  Even local firefighters stopped by to ensure the garden had water on planting day. For more pictures, click here.

WTB Leadership Changes

	WTB is indebted to Ann Port (left) for her strong leadership of our organization these last two years. Thank you, Ann, for all you have done. Our former Vice President, Gay Montague, takes over as President. Also elected were: Daryl Files, as vice-president, and Liz Spence as Corresponding Secretary. We reelected Jennifer Roberts Crittendon and Healy as Secretary and Treasurer.

WTB's new president, Gay Montague (center) works with a translator (left) to help the Burmese woman on the right sign up for a garden plot at the new Tapestry Garden May 30

Women Speak about Saving the Earth

Two women spoke compellingly about "Healing and Sustaining Mother Earth" at WTB's May 17 program.

Catherine Landis, a doctoral student at SUNY-ESF, discussed how her childhood questions about the fate of two lakes in the Syracuse area -- one clean, the other polluted -- led to her work restoring the natural features and health of Onondaga Creek.

A Community Geographer at Syracuse University,Jonnell Allen, talked about how she uses community mapping to make Syracuse a healthier and safer community. Projects -- suggested by community members -- have included determining safe routes to schools and making sure food pantries are located and open for optimal use.

As our service project, we collected trowels, gardening gloves, plants and seeds for the WTB Tapestry Garden for refugees of the Center for New Americans. We also planted a beautiful blue spruce tree in front of Jowonio school

WTB doesn't hold monthly meetings over the summer, but are planning a WTB picnic. Come back here for details.

© 2009 Women Transcending Boundaries, Inc.

PO Box 6847 Syracuse, NY 13217