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Contact Information:
Carolyn Zeigler: Gardener / Volunteer Coordinator 256-249-3144
Mayor Charles Merkel: Grants and Donations 256-510-2846
Larry D. Smith: Community Needs Coordinator 256-872-3708
Garden Meets Every Thursday
@ 6 PM
Reprinted Article from The Local Issue – Sylacauga, Alabama
Every Thursday evening through the summer months, there is a meeting at the Comet Grove Community Garden in Oak Grove.
But rather than the typical meeting for a civic organization, these gatherings are always festive, but laid back, informative and entertaining.
It’s literally a friendly visit to Ballard’s house.
“Ballard” is Ballard Jones, the garden’s summer intern from Auburn University, who’ll be around to help the garden grow through June and July.
Besides helping with the day to day chores at the community garden, his assignment includes drumming up volunteer participation for Comet Grove,
especially from Oak grove residents themselves. That, of course, means that Thursday night Comet Grove meetings tend to be more fun than what
you might expect.
“Since I literally live here for the summer, it’s more of a neighborhood gathering,” said Ballard, “and Carolyn (Zeigler) and the Mayor make sure we’ve
got a spread of food you’d expect at a neighborhood picnic.”
Comet Grove Director Carolyn Zeigler was quick to point out the help she gets from the staff at the Piggly Wiggly store at Highway 280 and
Fort Williams in putting the snack table together, “Whenever you get the chance, stop by and thank them for their help.”
The current plans have the Comet grove Garden hitting another gear next week as the produce starts to roll in regularly. “By next week, we
should have enough coming in to distribute beans, squash, cucumbers, and potatoes, both red and white,” said Ballard.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are set aside as Care House Voucher days at Comet Grove Garden. “Anyone with a need for help in feeding their families
can pick up vouchers through the Care House in Sylacauga and bring them by the garden to pick up fresh vegetables,” he explained. “And whatever
we have left from the previous day’s pickings we make available to the public for purchase on Wednesdays and Fridays.”
In the meantime, you and your family are welcome to join the festivities of the Thursday night Comet Grove Garden meetings at 6:oo p.m. And if you’re
looking for a summertime activity as an individual, a church or civic group, or as a family, might we suggest the satisfaction that comes from helping the
garden grow as a volunteer worker or crew.
“There’s an awful lot of good feeling that comes from gardening,” explained Ballard, “especially when it helps your neighbors eat healthier and more
affordably. We’d love to have you experience that with us and help us keep the garden alive year after year after year.”
Source: The Local Issue – Sylacauga, Alabama
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