Happy October from Yvonne Scott in Wolfe County. Last Thursday, 10/15/15, was the official ending for our Grow Appalachia group and, as the Program Coordinator this first year and an AmericorpsVISTA whose service year is nearly complete, the event was bittersweet as all endings can be. Several of our families pitched in to help organize and coordinate the food (potlucks are tricky; ‘no, we only want a few desserts’) and decorate.
And what a feast it was! The dishes were representative of what was still growing in the garden. Folks brought cole slaw, fried okra, fried green tomatoes, fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet potato casserole and shuckey beans, which was my first taste of this traditional Appalachian food.
Makin’ music!
In addition to the amazing food, I put together a slide show loop from photos of the various gardens throughout the year and everyone had a chance to point, laugh, comment, question or wish out loud that I had left THAT photo out! With a gaggle of young folks and some fine local musicians to get us started, we laughed and talked and swapped stories till the end of the evening. Each family received a certificate of participation to remind them that they stuck it out during a very difficult summer and made the best of what they had and used what they learned. Many of our families were already looking forward to next spring in hopes that there will be a second season for Wolfe County Grow Appalachia.
Thank you for this amazing opportunity; I will miss all of these great folks but I know that you’re in good hands to carry on.
Sounds like a wonderful event, Yvonne! Thank you so much for all of the hard work you have put into Wolfe County/Grow Appalachia this year. You will definitely be missed! It was an absolute pleasure getting to know you this year, and I wish you the best in post-VISTA endeavors and beyond!
I will miss this program so much! It has been a highlight of my life as well as VISTA and the great folks like you who made this year so special. I’m taking some very valuable experiences and information with me which I intend to share with my peeps back in NC. If Grow Appalachia wants to drift down to the Great Smoky Mtn. region of western NC, just let me know!!!