Representatives of three of the six community gardens that were envisioned last year met at the Fall River Library on Main Street on October 21, 2009, to assess how their projects went and what they would like to do in the coming year. Rev. Matthew Stewart represented the Church of the Holy Spirit which made church property on the corner of Almond and Middle Street available for community residents to plant their own plots. Cindy Garant represented the Bristol Community College garden that was begun on the College campus in June to provide food donations to local soup kitchens. And, Children In Balance (CIB) project manager Marcia Picard represented the Watson Elementary School garden. Gardens at St. Luke's Church and the Fall River Housing Authority's Doolan Apartments were also reported on. Each of the gardens appeared to have met its initial goals, and all intend to plant again next spring. Additional ideas, including winter gardens, flower pot gardens and seed and plant sharing, were proposed for next year. For further information about the Watson School garden, contact Marcia Picard at 508-324-2228; for the St. Luke's garden, contact Rev. James Hornsby at 508-672-6607; for the Church of the Holy Spirit garden call 508-672-5571 or office.hsfr@verizon.net; for the Doolan Apartment garden, contact Joe DaSilva at 508-675-3527; and  for the BCC project, contact Peter Schuyler at 508-678-2811, Ext. 2214.
 

(Top row, left and right) Cindy Garant listens as Janet Shartle of the May Institute What's Cookin' group describes her group's interest in growing smaller gardens in flower pots. (Middle row, left) Kate Marin of Towne House asks about winter crops as Rev. Matt Stewart of the Church of the Holy Spirit and Julie Cleare of First Baptist Church listen. (Bottom row, center) Healthy City Fall River coordinator David Weed records suggestions from the group for activities in the coming year. (Bottom row, right) Julie Cleare listens as Children In Balance (CIB) project manager Marcia Picard describes the very successful garden at the Watson School.