Sometimes when you delay, you make the right call.
The people who have organized and sustained the Clinton Community Garden Project decided on Oct. 28 for their 8th Gathering in the Garden public appreciation and volunteers recognition event - then, it rained.
Not a little rain. Not a garden-sustaining rain.
A real rain.
So, they moved it to Nov. 4. After the time change, they moved it up a half hour. Their reward was Tuesday’s crisp, fall early evening hour of golden sun and clear skies. Everyone enjoyed Chef Robert Moore’s nutritious evening meal, and Soul Intent’s body-swaying music, and a few hearty souls qualified for prize give-aways by attending the health screenings provided by Prisma Health and Presbyterian College.
“People from all walks of life came together on this soil,” said Dr. Kendra Hamilton. “We came together because we believe food is a right. That’s why we give away the things that we grow, because we believe everybody has a right to food. We also believe that food is medicine.
“Healthy, fresh vegetables grown under good conditions by loving hands is the food we need to heal us from so many of the chronic ills we have in this part of the world.”
Hamilton recognized Prisma Health, which manages the Laurens County Hospital, Presbyterian College, saying “the faculty and staff and students at PC are so key to our effort,” members of board of directors, and the volunteers.
“This garden is all about our volunteers. These are the people who make this thing happen year after year after year,” Hamilton said, “and it gives us so much pleasure to be among each other.”
Volunteers Coordinator Dr. Justin Brent also recognized Dr. Sabrina Moore - “when Sabrina joined the garden 2 years ago suddenly the garden became very happy and started growing like crazy; it’s unfair to call me the volunteers coordinator because Sabrina does so much of the work.”
They had a photo-op for volunteers who work every Saturday or any other time and board members, and then the Garden honored volunteer Ezra Marks for his “outstanding dedication and generous service to the Clinton Community Garden Project.”
New to the Garden this year is a sun-burst mural on a side of the maintenance shed, and Brent and Moore called forward the artist, Lauren Smoak, also for special recognition.
Hamilton invited everyone to volunteer with the garden and said the organizers are planning other, expanded opportunities for community gathering and education in the coming year.
The Clinton Community Garden is an across the street neighbor of Friendship AME Church; and its pastor, Rev. Carroll Wells, concluded the brief program with words of appreciation, saying “we’re in a time now when we might need some food.”
“Welcome aboard The Ship. We are truly grateful for what you do within our community, Prisma and PC and Ezra and everyone for what you do and what you bring to the table. We commend you and we applaud you. We See You, we see you when you are here coming into the garden and doing things and make our community even better. Thank you and God bless.”
This was a free community event to celebrate the harvest. Free health screenings offered by Prisma Health and Presbyterian College included blood pressure, diabetes, and blood sugar checks, as well as flu vaccines and more. “This celebration is our way of thanking the community for their support and participation,” Jamie Adair, Board Chair of the Clinton Community Garden Project, said in a pre-event statement. “It’s a joyful evening that truly brings people together around food, health, and community spirit.”
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to planting, cultivating, and growing healthy food and concepts for community well-being, The Clinton Community Garden Project offers information or ways to get involved through contacts with Jamie Adair at 864-684-3026 or by visiting them on Facebook.
The Clinton Community Garden is located on South Bell Street in Clinton.
Presbyterian College Service here.
Prisma Health here.
