 I love what I do for a living. I mean really I get to play in the dirt, meet all sorts of people, and do a little good in the community. So I sometimes use this as an excuse to work really hard most of the time 7 days a weeks, and sometimes I get caught up in pushing to get my projects finished and do not always take time to see all the good going on around me.
So today like any other day I was trying to wrap up a project I had been working on Saturday and Sunday. I was cleaning out the last growing house at Potawatomi, and recycling some wood from the other greenhouses that were torn down last year. I am hoping we can take this greenhouse space that has been used as a storage space for years and make good use out of it. So first I found a penny amongst the junk and trash. I thought how nice a penny must be my lucky day. What I found next was so touching I have to tell the story. To back up a bit with this greenhouse just being used for mostly junk and trash, and the occasional homeless person sets up camp inside amongst the junk. That is where I found this peice of wood with some writing on it. It did not look to old maybe from last summer. Here is what it said " Dear whoever lives here, My name is Geo ( for short ) and I am here with my sister Mary. We are not going to tell anyone that you are here. In fact we think its really cool that you do live here. Its summer break for the both of us, and we are going to be here at this park alot. So we were wondering if you could write us back and we could come back and read it whenever we could. We could bring you food if you wanted. We don't want to bother you or ruin your stuff. We just want to help, and admire your courage. Just keep hope. You don't have to write back either we just hope this make you happy ( smiley face ) Mary & Geo ( smiley face ) PS If you decide to write back , put it in the same place I put this note. We're prayin' for you ( heart ) Keep Hope" I feel lucky to have come across this note. I am not sure if it went any further then this first contact, but I suspect it did. I did see a leat 3 good pens on one of the growing tables. It reminds me that it does take courage to be without a home, and all of us that are sitting here reading this in a safe, and warm place should be thankful. I am also touched by the caring of someone for a person they do not even know. It also strikes me that in this fast paced time of cell phones and internet that there still is " the hand written letter" I think I will hang this is a place for everyone to see so that we can all be reminded of how important respect for others, kindness, and human interaction is. Everytime I see a homeless person or someone in need of a hand I will think of the courage they have to survive against all odds. And as a footnote on my way home I made a stop as a coffee shop as I do many times to get my computor work finished, and the man in line in front of me bought my coffee and said " have a Happy New Year" Through the kindness of strangers hope springs eteranal . Peace , Love and Happy 2013 Mitch Yaciw
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 2012 was the first year we teamed up with Peace Bees to help increase the bee population, educate people on Bees. Now you may or may not know about the importance of Bees, but its huge. 30% of our crops are pollinated by bees. So without them think how hard it would be to buy an Apple for example. In some countries they hand pollinate crops which is labor intensive, and produces a poor crop. Honey Bees are gentle creatures that work together to sustain themselves. And in the process they help our flowers and crops grow. When managed properly they also provide us with a great food source. But there is more to Bees then just honey other by products include. Beeswax which can Bee used for candle making, a lubricant and more. So why are we so interested in urban Bees. Well they thrive in the Urban Enviroment. They produce more honey, and have a better survival rate then their rural counterparts. We are not sure why. It could be the abundance of flowers we plant or the lack of pesticides. Whatever the reason the facts are the facts. So our mission with Peace Bees is to grow Beekeepers and build overall awareness. Ok so now that I have lured you in with my title lets get to my title. So this year was my first foray into Beekeeping, and I remember the first day I meet Steve out at the Garden to check on the Bees. I put on the Bee suit and went in following the rules Steve opened the hive and I was able to hold a frame full of Bees. It was great ...best pets ever !! I soon found out is was not just me. Everyone who came to the garden and put the suit on and visited the Bees. Thats why I decided that the Bee suit holds special powers. In 2013 we will Bee hosting a complete Beekeeping program see our classes tab for more informat
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January 2023
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3701 Prast Blvd. South Bend, IN. 46628 |
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Unity Gardens
PO Box 10022 South Bend, IN. 46680 |
Contact: Sara Stewart, Executive Director
sara@theunitygardens.org 574-315-4361 |