Providing Funds And Extra Services At A State Park

Volunteers clearing one of the trails in Patapsco Valley State Park.

This organization started out as a gathering of businesses, groups, and volunteers, to convert an old building into a visitors center in the late 1990s. By 2000, the Avalon Visitors' Center was completed and open. But it wasn't the only new item ready for Patapsco Valley State Park. Along the way, that gathered group had formed into FRIENDS OF PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK (FPVSP).

Obviously this group of active individuals had much more in mind. From advocacy to beautification to trail maintenance to recreational programs, this group provides. Most important, though, is the fundraising that the group accomplishes. Such additions as "Discovery" backpacks for visitors enhance the exchange of information, iPads for the park rangers help them to do their work more efficiently, and the Hollofield Play Space adds to the appreciation and fun of the park's youngest users, even those with physical challenges. These park additions are extras that normally are not found in a fiscally tight State budget.



Just in the past month, weather has played a significant role in the area, causing above average accumulation of rainfall for the month of May. And the prospects for June include more of the same. When the major flooding event occurred on May 27, FPVSP helped make sure that park users were notified and exercised the courtesy of taking a break from the park to let personnel assess for damages and make sure the park was safe for users. This was especially important as media attention was focused on flooding in Catonsville and Ellicott City.

As it happened, the downpour of rain and flooding, with the resulting damage was the second catastrophic event in less than two years. As also happened previously, Ellicott City's clock turned out to have floated away in the flood waters. Fortunately, pieces were found about a mile away from the town on River Road. FPVSP board member Dave Ferraro helped in the recovery of the clock.

The Ellicott City clock is loaded into a pickup truck.

Unfortunately, one of the organization's major fundraisers, Cocktails for Trails, which had been scheduled for June 7, had to be postponed and rescheduled to August 2. The event will still be held at Elkridge Furnace Inn. This will allow volunteers and the organization to devote resources to cleaning up and helping affected neighbors. By the way, if potential donors are looking for ways to help in the wake of the flooding, this is one organization that will utilize your donations completely for the needs of the park. Clean-up costs money and does take a toll on equipment, so they could use your contributions.

Cocktails For Trails has been rescheduled.

Thanks for information from this page on FPVSP: https://fpvsp.org/hfpvsp/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/457781641036486/photos/a.464618647019452.1073741828.457781641036486/1048202985327679/?type=3&theater; this page on FPVSP: https://fpvsp.org/cocktails-for-trails/; and the above link.

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Church And Community Garden

Some of the Giving Garden's produce loaded for delivery.

There is a marriage, of sorts, between a church and a community garden. It's happened in a declining, post-industrial community of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Hope is made of small things. An involved church and a garden that provides community members with fresh produce does just that.

The GIVING GARDEN has become intertwined with the work and mission of the PITTSFIELD CHURCH OF CHRIST, almost to the point of not being able to speak of one without the other. Russell Moody explains more about the reasons for the Garden, "The Giving Garden exists to make a difference in our larger community. We operate on the notion of loving our neighbor. Sustainable practices help the earth, impact people that need a helping hand, and is considerate of our earth moving forward. The Giving Garden is working example of people coming together to help people, leaving the smallest footprint possible."



The idea with the Giving Garden is that anyone who wants to tend a garden is allowed to utilize any plot that's available. But seniors and those in need become the recipients of the bounty produced. It's not unusual for the gardens to produce more than 8,000 pounds of produce in a single year. Even some local organizations have benefited from the harvest, including a hospice, which has received sunflowers to brighten up the rooms of their patients and the local Headstart program, which received pumpkins for their youngsters to decorate.

Last year, the Church, the Garden, and Alchemy Initiative teamed up to offer a new youth education venture, Roots Rising. The program provides life skills workshops for teens, while also providing them jobs on farms, in food pantries, and in community kitchens. With a launching grant, the program began last summer. The previous summer the Church built a new basketball court for local youth, so they had a safe place to play with friends and acquaintances.

Local businesses and citizens regularly to keep the Giving Garden in operation. With such groups as the Springside Garden Group and Ward's Nursery contributing shoots and seeds, that community feel helps make the work a little easier for volunteers like Bambi, Woody, Zoey, Nick, Gordon, Rob, Nancy, Kim, and many others.

Tending the garden takes physical labor.

The next event happens in just a few days, on June 2 at the Pittsfield Church of Christ. The event is being held to help with distribution of child IDs and to provide kids with the experience of touching a real live truck. Kids can get information and sign up for the Boys and Girls Club Of the Berkshires. There will be a raffle for a bike gift card, and there is a donated bike that one of the youngsters can win for free. Sounds like fun!

Sunflowers for the local hospice.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/russell-moody-giving-garden/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BerkshireBotanical/videos/1277167195694370/?hc_ref=ARTQ_0hlqpKex7gao9SIp7kJFX-B4xta-zZCx4bRBArqHL61vbg3-LkbwnXEABwLGaw; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1150108035129795/; and the above links.

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A Federation Of Cooperatives

Harvesting onions on land owned by Black farmers.

Founded more than fifty years ago, THE FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN COOPERATIVES and its Land Assistance Fund has been supporting the ownership of land, especially farm land, by Black and other low income farmers. Essentially 22 already-existing cooperatives from nine States formed the organization on the premise that together they could accomplish more than separately.

The focus throughout its existence has been in three areas: Developing cooperatives and credit unions to enhance the quality of their own lives and that of their communities; supporting and advocating for public policies that support low income farmers and the rural communities in which they live; and protecting and expanding landed property of African-American farmers in the South. The Federation has been operating in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina.



Over the years between 1910 and 1997, Black farmers found that they were frequently denied loans from the federal government. That led to land acreage moving out of the hands of Black farmers at a much faster pace than that for white family farmers.  So, the Federation launched a class action suit against the USDA, resulting in the largest settlement in US history - a total of $1.01 billion being distributed among 15,600 Black farmers.

Despite its lengthy history, the majority of Americans have probably never heard of The Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Even so, it is well-known among cooperatives and in the food industry. Its executive director from 1985 to 2015 was Ralph Paige, who was inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2004. He was recognized because "under his guidance the Federation has developed more than 200 units of low-income housing, 18 community credit unions, 75 cooperatives, and an award-winning rural training center."

Just last year, John and Carol Zippert were also inducted into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Mr. Zippert was the director of the Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, Alabama, part of the Federation, for 45 years. In this role, he "helped former tenant farmers form the Panola Land Buyers Association buy 1,164 acres of land in 1970." In addition, he helped develop the "Southern Grassroots Economies Project, which works to build democratic ownership in the US South and hosts CoopEcon, an annual training institute for cooperative members." Carol Zippert was equally as busy over the years, founding and presiding over the Greene County Employees Federal Credit Union, which serves residents in one of the poorest counties in the US and, even with that challenge, "accumulated more than $1 million in assets."

A group of youth attending a voting summit.

Cornelius Blanding, the current executive director, noted, "[O]ur history is a shining example of what is possible when limited resource people and communities pool their resources and work cooperatively to solve their common problems and build organizations that are owned and controlled by those that use and benefit from them." Nonetheless, the Federation continues to grow and develop more programs, not resting on its laurels from more than 50 years of existence. Even more, it continues to demonstrate the power of working together and being able to accomplish more than just one person or group working alone.

Mississippi farmers (left to right) Daniel Teague, Charles Houston, and Ben Burkett.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/federationsoutherncooperatives/about/?ref=page_internal; this article: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/11/06/successful-historic-co-op-federation-supporting-black-farmers-turns-50/; and the above link.

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Meals For Seniors And People With Disabilities

Employees of a local business gave up their lunch time to help.

Just about everyone has heard about Meals On Wheels. MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL MARYLAND  had a rather modest beginning in 1960, serving just ten clients from the kitchen of what is now Levindale Hebrew and Geriatric Center and Hospital. Today it has become a large operation, providing more than one million meals to over 2900 clients, through the efforts of their staff and 1,300 volunteers. And, with the help of Maryland SPCA, pet food is also provided to clients' pets.

Most people are familiar with the above program, but did you know that Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland has even more programs? This organization also provides group meals at community senior centers and adult day care centers from Monday through Saturday. Through this program, meals from the central kitchens are transported to the group settings and even include emergency meal kits for those who depend on the program for their nutritional needs, in case of severe inclement weather. The stipend that they receive for providing these services also helps to support their primary home-delivered meals program.



The Grocery Assistance Program (GAP) offers grocery shopping and delivery by an assigned volunteer for those with disabilities and seniors who don't have someone to do the shopping for them regularly. Clients only pay for groceries purchased by the assigned volunteer.

The newest program is Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS). Senior homeowners, along with a visiting social worker, identify upgrades that would make the home safer and healthier. Seniors age 65 and older, with 80% or below the metro area median income, and residency in Baltimore, qualify for this service. Upgrades can include such improvements as grab bars, railings, energy-efficient lighting, roof and plumbing repairs, insulation, and foundation caulking.

A group of Ravens fans prepares gift bags for Meals on Wheels clients.

Now, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland does schedule fundraising events periodically. In fact, one is coming up next month, Night of a Million Meals on Monday evening, May 21, 5:30 to 9 PM at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley. It promises to be an evening of fine dining, including decadent desserts, music, and hand-crafted drinks.

Sign of the times for the Night of a Million Meals.

Highlights include well-known local chefs, including David Thomas, Jerry Edwards, Jay Rohlfing, Brad Cleaver, Jonathan Hicks, and many others. Beverages will be provided by Baltimore Spirits, Key Brewing, Manatawny Still Works, McClintock Distilling, MISCellaneous Distillery, Oliver Brewing, White Tiger Distillery, and Baltimore Coffee & Tea. Responsible for musical entertainment are The JoeyDCares Rock Orchestra, James Garafolo & David Zee, and The Rough Cut Rubies.There will also be a silent auction.

Thanks for information from online Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: this page - https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/Mission-and-History; this page - https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/group-meal-programs; this page - https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/pages/services---grocery-assistance-program--landing-; this page - https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/pages/services--hubs; this page - https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/Events; and the above link.

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Visions For A Better Community

Some of Project Petals' volunteers.

Imagination and vision can lead to some transformations, even in a city the size of New York City. Alicia White is a singular and distinguished woman whose vision led to a better community. Among the many hats she wears is social entrepreneur, advisor, innovator, advocate, and visionary. She has experience in management, development, staging events, sort of a multi-talented woman who creates a world of "Wow!' when she starts working on community issues.

So, it's no surprise that Ms. White founded an organization, PROJECT PETALS INC., that focuses on revitalizing and developing neighborhoods, especially in under-served sectors of the City. She didn't have to look far for the first project, a neglected and weed-strewn section of woods and parkland, with a section of LIRR track forming the southwest boundary, known as Railroad Park.




Ms. White explained her interest, before work began on the park in 2013, "Project Petals will restore the park, create a garden, assemble a team of volunteers to clean up, and create a path for the area. To turn Railroad park into a space that can be utilized by all. A community garden and vegetable garden will serve the community. Our second initiative for the park will be to turn the wooded area into a nature trail."

Project Petals has continued its involvement with maintaining the gains made in Railroad Park, while beginning to work with local youth by engaging them in envisioning change in their community. The organization has developed a Youth Builders Program for those interested in architecture, engineering, design, and urban planning. Project Petals has been bringing educational and informational sessions to local students in junior high school and high school. Such community development leaders as Turner Construction and Partnerships For Parks provide professionals in their fields to teach the youths about the knowledge required, in scheduled workshops.

One project that is still in the planning stages is Project Petals Mapping. Mapping out the area is designed to help this organization areas that are affected by community and environmental issues, thus developing a better idea of how interventions will impact specific areas.

Working on a safer commuter pathway through Railroad Park.

For an organization that is as young as Project Petals, to receive honors and recognition for the work they do is pretty astounding. Yet, this organization has done just that. On April 27, Project Petals, including its board and volunteers, are to be honored at The Mayoral Service Recognition Ceremony. Ms. White will also be awarded at the ceremony, in recognition of her work as Executive Director and Founder.

A project still in the planning stages.

Thanks for information from this page on Project Petals: https://www.projectpetals.org/about-us/; this article from Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/alicia-white-project-petals/; this page on Project Petals: https://www.projectpetals.org/youth-builders-program/; this page on Project Petals: https://www.projectpetals.org/news-and-events/; and the above link.

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Community-Based Transportation Justice

What Uprose is all about.

An organization that engages in community organizing, youth organizing, and cultural expression, has been around since 1966, and is focused in the Sunset Park section of the Brooklyn, NYC borough. Approaching change through climate justice, UPROSE has accumulated a variety of achievements throughout its existence. Some of the highlights include bringing back the B37 bus line, stopped the siting of power plants in this area of the city, organized the largest gathering of young people of color in the area of climate justice, supported the admission of local youth leaders to top tier colleges, leadership of a successful urban forestry campaign. That's just a small sample.

In the area of transportation justice, Uprose has been working toward the provision of reliable and accessible public transportation, along with a safe and clean streetside infrastructure for area pedestrians. To accomplish those goals, the organization works with, and as part of, the City's Department of Transportation specifically on the Upland Connector Streets project; Brooklyn Community Board 7's 4th Avenue Transportation Task Force; and Transport Workers Union Local 100.



In the case of the B37 bus route, the MTA had decided to eliminate the line, as part of a large scale service cutback. Uprose helped form the Restore the B37 Bus Coalition. The line had been a key source of transportation especially affecting the young, seniors, those with disabilities, and physically frail individuals. This was one effort that saw community members approaching the organization and developed into a strong grassroots coalition. Rallies, forums, and press conferences kept the issue in public awareness until June 2014, when the MTA restored service between Fort Hamilton and the Atlantic Avenue/Barclays Center subway station, just ten blocks short of the original line.

Around the same time, Uprose was engaged in improvements to the 4th Avenue medians, involving extension and expansion of the medians, along with fresh markings, the banning of left-hand turns, and additional parking suspensions. This was an effort to reduce congestion and traffic, thereby improving safety. Further work is planned to improve stormwater management, so subway infrastructure can be better preserved.

Some of the youth organizers at Uprose.

Recently, Uprose has become involved in opposing the Brooklyn Queens Express (BQX), a project of several powerful real estate firms for building along the Brooklyn Queens waterfront. Despite the token promise to include public house, the real estate developers control the properties involved. According to Uprose, however, the project leaves many questions unanswered and raises large concerns about the displacement of working class and lower income residents, who have lived in the area for so long.

Community members meet up with elected leaders to bring back the B37 bus route.

Thanks for information from this page on Uprose: https://www.uprose.org/mission/; this page on Uprose: https://www.uprose.org/transportation-justice; and the above link.

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Awards Abound At The John Carroll School

Members of the Freshman class at the Freshman breakfast, held on the last day of school before Easter break.

Located on a 72 acre campus in Bel Air, MD, THE JOHN CARROLL SCHOOL (TJCS) provides a high school education for 668 coed students in grades 9 to 12. Among the specialized programs that this school provides is a financial literacy program, a requirement during sophomore year; entrepreneurial exploration, an elective in junior or senior year; a STEAM Academy program, with its own curriculum, for students interested and with the academic capability in sciences and/or mathematics; a senior project available in several areas, providing a concentrated in-depth exploration of the chosen area, mandatory for graduation; the St. Joseph program, geared to students with learning differences; a dance program; and academic honor societies.

On February 24, students from the Future Scientists and Engineers Club competed in the 2nd Maryland Science Olympiad, which was held at the University of Maryland. Prize-winning students were: Optics - Sarah Xiang and Ivy Ding, 1st place; Helicopters - Leo Chang and Young Shin, 3rd place; Rocks and Minerals - Christina Zhang and Gabrielle Lambert, 4th place; Anatomy - Cherie Ndungu and Yue Yue Xiong, 6th place. Congratulations on a job well done!



Every year the Bel Air Knights of Columbus #4714 chooses a teacher to honor as its Catholic High School Teacher of the Year. Specifically, the award honors a servant community leader who is motivated by both love and humility. This year the organization has chosen Gary Scholl, who has been working at TJCS for 44 years as teacher, coach, Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, and acting interim Principal. Over the years, he has remained dedicated to serving the students, faculty and staff of the school. He has also led many service field trips for TJCS students.

Principal Tom Durkin noted, "Gary Scholl is a brillant educator and administrator. He has spent over four decades of his life in Catholic school, and his work at The John Carroll School is absolutely first rate. Gary is all about helping our students succeed. In short, Gary Scholl has made the John Carroll School a much better school through his dedication, sacrifice, generosity, and spirit." An awards dinner is planned for Mr. Scholl and his guests, where he will receive a plaque and a monetary award.

Here's one TJCS student with whom you might have trouble catching up. No, it's not because she's particularly elusive, either. But Senior Caitlyn Trent is one very busy adolescent. In fact, most people are stumped about how she does it all.

Some of her activities include youth ministry, SADD club, Speech and Debate Club, youth leadership camps, altar server, Eucharistic minister, mission trips to Appalachia work camps, peer leader, camp counselor, and volunteer. She even led a fund-raising drive that raised $1,500 for a local family in need. In the midst of all that activity, she also maintains a 4.125 GPA. Simply astounding!

The John Carroll School's winning participants in the Maryland Science Olympiad.

So, it's no surprise that Ms. Trent was the recipient of a Bel Air Student Achievement Award by the town commissioners. Mayor Susan Burdette stated in recognition, "This is one of the most amazing ones I've read. I can't believe she had five minutes to come to the meeting tonight. When you read this, you'll see why." The plaque by which Ms. Trent was honored lists all of the activities in which she has been engaged. Mayor Burdette continued, "[Ms. Trent] is the epitome of what a good citizen who contributes to her community in a positive way should be."

Caitlyn Trent is an example of the type of student and human being who is prepared through the education provided by The John Carroll School. Certainly, the community of Bel Air is fortunate to be the location of this wonderful school.

Students can volunteer at Patriots' Corner, which is the school store.

Thanks for information from this page on TJCS: https://johncarroll.org/about; this page on TJCS: https://johncarroll.org/news/2018/03/28/maryland-science-olympiad-winners; this page on TJCS: https://johncarroll.org/news/2018/03/17/gary-scholl-named-teacher-year-bel-air-knights-columbus; this page on TJCS: https://johncarroll.org/news/2018/03/08/caitlyn-trent-18-honored; and the above link.

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