With the disappearance of snow in our backyards, gardeners are waiting in anticipation to plant bulbs and seeds, aerate and fertilize lawns. Voluneteers at the Community Gardens are cleaning up and preparing beds for planting. They are always open to new members even if you are not up to strenuous labour. Many of the volunteers are seniors and have a very sociable time at growing good vegetables. If you know of anyone who could use some free veggies or might want to join them, let Colleen Gatenby know.
Seedy Saturday
Since mid-January, plans have been in the works for Seedy Saturday (now called Seeds to Savouries) to be held April 23 at CNC, 10 a.m. Presentations include Wilma Watkins on Back Yard Meat Chickens; demonstrations will be by Shelly on seed sprouting and growing micro-greens; Westside Community on garden-seed saving; Hill Farm Nursery on heritage tomatoes; Monika and Michel Robert on meat rabbits; Al Collins on Mason Bees for pollinations (kids can make houses for mason bees); Downtown Community garden where kids will be making seed tapes, starting seeds, a tour of greenhouse and a tour of and discussion of composting system. Those with a display and doing a presentation include Randy Thompson on growing garlic; Lita Conlin-Bokashi and Mya on maintaining a worm bin; Sharon Primeau on wild harvesting; and Gus Friedenberger on honey bees. Jennifer and Bruce Linegar-Johnson will be cooking a dish from the garden. There will be a presentation and display on creating school/community gardens. FARMED will also be participating.
Calling all friends of Rose Iverson
On May 2, former Quesnel resident Rose Iverson turns 100. Her daughter Fran Philpott is arranging a celebration April 30 at the Care Home in Fort St. John from 3 – 7 p.m. If you would care to get a card off to her it could be sent to Fran Philpott at 8307-97th Avenuen, Fort St. John, B.C. VlJ lMl. She would love to hear from some of her old friends. A story about Rose will be coming shortly.
Best Before Date
A friend phoned me regarding a donation of canned vegetables she wanted to donate to the Salvation Army food bank. She saw the best before date was this month and wondered if it could still be used. I checked with Laurie Perkins at the food bank and she told me the contents are perfectly safe for up to 12 months after the best before date. They would appreciate any contribution of non-perishable food.
Thanks to seniors who volunteer
As April is volunteer appreciation month, thank you to all in our community who volunteer their time and energy in helping others through specific organizations or individually. Congratulations to Rose Gaetz on being given this year’s Citizen of the Year Award at a banquet April 19 in the Billy Barker Casino Showroom. She was one of eight very deserving nominees who have helped make this such a caring community.
Silent Hero recipients were Forbes Campbell; Quesnel Soup Kitchen – Seventh Day Adventist Church and posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Graham.
Ruth Scoullar is a seniors’ advocate and regular Observer contributor.