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Growing off the beatin' path
SEPTEMBER MESSAGE
Greetings Garden Friends,
In this month of September we will bid a farewell to summer and hello to autumn. Sunrises are later and sunsets earlier, scattering vivid reds, oranges, or pinks through a twilight sky. Eager male crickets or cicadas fill evenings with their song to attract mates. Let's enjoy summer's last hurrah as our annuals and perennials radiate amazing hues too.
For August, a thank you goes to IGC Member, Ashley Cifone, who introduced members to GreenStalk, a vertical planter system for growing and watering a variety of plants in reduced spaces. There was also, a rewarding field trip to Eleven Mile Farm to explore the variety of seasonal flowers that are nurtured and picked fresh for floral arrangements. A quaint lunch at Brick and Barrel Cross Keys immediately followed to rest some weary feet.
Looking forward to September, we will be meeting again at St. Thomas Anglican Church Pavilion. Our Tomato Program will be hands on as members participate in a little tomato tasting and a sharing of stories, or favorite recipes possibly prepared too. The Annual District IX Meeting will be the very next day at Wildwood Golf Club with many members attending. Before summer's end, a tour of Bedner's Farm will offer another cutting garden, besides a winery to encounter, as well. Lunch afterward at the Steeping Leaf should then complete this distilling experience.
"Never stop be-leafing in the power of September."- Unknown
See you soon,
Julie, Your President
Article published in April 2025 Northern Connection Magazine
Take a Tour Through Veterans Memorial Gardens
By Paula Green
With the arrival of spring, it's the perfect time to start gardening and get your hands dirty. Locally, some beautiful gardens honor our military veterans.
In Allegheny County, North Park is a popular destination for activities such I as walking, biking, picnicking, and enjoying the great outdoors. You'll find a semi-circular stone monument and a historic cannon as you enter the park at the corner of Wildwood and Ingomar Roads. This peaceful area features the Veterans Memorial and the Penn State Demonstration Garden, which is surrounded by beautiful flower beds. The military garden was established in 1990, and each year, Penn State Master Gardeners work diligently to maintain this tribute to veterans.
Another garden that honors veterans is the David E. Councill Memorial Park. This park is situated at the intersection of W. Ingomar and Ingomar Heights Roads in McCandless Township and is maintained by the Ingomar Garden Club. David E. Councill was a local World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corps. The garden club cares for this area from early spring, around April, through November.
Masonic Village at Sewickley features a Veterans' Garden to offer a space for reflection upon the sacrifices of those in our armed forces and their families. This is a fitting tribute since this retirement community is the home of many veterans. The garden was dedicated on October 7, 2017, and it includes a water fountain, pond, benches, and a life-sized bronze statue of George Washington in his military regalia.
There are several other veterans' gardens across the state. One notable garden is the Veterans Memorial Gold Star Healing & Peace Garden in York. This garden was dedicated on June 9, 2012, and is open to the public from dusk to dawn all year. It serves as a gathering place for those who want to commemorate and remember the fallen and celebrate the lives of those who volunteered to protect our country. The garden changes with each season and matures with every passing year.
In Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, a group of garden volunteers known as Heroic Gardens has found healing through horticulture. This mental health organization is dedicated specifically to veterans. They travel throughout the Philadelphia region, assisting veterans in creating both indoor and outdoor gardens. Heroic Gardens operates year-round, planting seeds and fostering friendships with veterans. Their motto is aptly, "Let freedom bloom."
Enjoy the beauty of these military gardens, honoring those who dedicated their lives to serving our country.
Sources: extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/Allegheny/demonstration-gardens/north-park-demonstration-garden, masonicviIlagesewickIey.org/forever-grateful-growing-a-veterans-garden/, Veterans-Memorial-Court, goIdstargarden.com