Greetings Fellow Gardeners!
Our amazing, stupendous, dynamic (and humble) Communications Committee is looking for a volunteer with a talent for graphic design, some website design and a soupçon of social media savvy.
Does that sound like you? Then please reach out to our fearless Comms leader, Sara C. by email at goldenrodgarden@gmail.com. Just put “Comms volunteer” in the subject line.
Did you know that you can read the Minutes of Goldenrod’s Board meetings on our website? Check them out here.
Official Opening of the Goldenrod Community Garden
The Official Opening of the Goldenrod Community Garden will take place on Monday July 26, 2021. The event has been captured both on video and in an article. These will be featured in various local media channels and on our website.
For the ceremony, Goldenrod’s (former) interim Board President Susan Harvey along with other interim Board members including Allegra Newman, Tanya Salewski, Carmel Boosamra and Al Webb, welcomed many local politicians and dignitaries: the Honourable Catherine McKenna, MP for Ottawa Centre and Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Joel Harden, MPP for Ottawa Centre, Jeff Leiper, Councillor for Kitchissippi Ward, and Tobi Nussbaum, Chief Executive Officer for the National Capital Commission.
Also present, Randy Mayes, the Executive Director of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. He presented a message of land acknowledgement and thanked the Goldenrod volunteers for their work in establishing this garden and its contribution to the residents of the neighbourhood.
Here’s a note we received from the office of Tobi Nussbaum:
Tobi had a great visit at the Goldenrod Garden last week to congratulate them on their first opening season! We must thank the volunteers who worked tirelessly to build these garden beds from scratch. What a great addition for the community in Kitchissippi!
photo credit/courtesy of National Capital Commission (NCC)
Getting to know you
On any sunny weekend morning you might happen to meet Emily and her son Calum watering tomato, basil and pepper plants in plot #23.
Emily is one of three original founding members of the team who worked for over 7 years to establish a community garden in Kitchissippi. She was instrumental in getting the NCC to approve this area of land for Goldenrod in 2019 and we are grateful for her dedication to this project.
Building community, bringing people together and creating a sense of belonging through shared interests - these are the things that drive her.
Along with establishing Goldenrod, Emily is Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Hintonburg Community Association. Do you love the HCA newsletter? We have Emily to thank for that, too! Haven’t yet had the pleasure? You can check it out here.
The Donor Corner, Maker House/Gareth Davies
Gareth Davies is the founder and CEO of the finest collection of Canadian maker furniture, homewares, gifts and crafts in the city: Maker House Co., located on Wellington Street West in Hintonburg.
Gareth Davies and Maker House is committed to values of Community & Environment, Storytelling & Authenticity, Heritage & Diversity. And these principles guide Gareth’s passion for community building. Maker House Co. donates 2% of all sales to a community non-profit to encourage everyday activism. This is called their #CraftChange movement. You can read more about #CraftChange here.
Since 2015 Maker House has donated over $100,000 to many community organizations and initiatives including Goldenrod Community Garden. We are grateful for this support!
Gareth Davies is a proud recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal’s 2021 “40 Under Forty Award”. At the ceremony, Gareth talked about one of his biggest influences - his mom; “My mother, who was always passionate about shopping local and supporting artists before it was trendy.”
And the advice he’d give to his younger self? “Share your ideas, foster partnerships, keep dreaming and be patient.”
Please discover the Maker House website here.
Read about the 2021 40 Under Forty Award here.
Tunney’s Pasture redevelopment
What happens at Tunney's Pasture will have a significant impact on the residents of our neighbourhood; the housed and the homeless, the advantaged and the disadvantaged.
The community associations representing Wellington Village, Champlain Park, Hintonburg and Mechanicsville have formed Neighbours for Tunney’s to focus on these and other Tunney’s Pasture redevelopment-related issues. Click this link for more information.
Community Resources
The Well - extensive list of resources
Please Donate
Goldenrod Community Garden exists because of the generous support of people like you. Please consider donating funds to our Phase 2 Build and to our ongoing maintenance costs. (Water, water, water…)
Reminders
Remember to visit the Kitchissippi outdoor Community Fridge. The rules of community fridges are simple: take what you need, leave what you can. Please find more information here.
Add your name to the Plot Waitlist for 2022
Please find further details here
Become a Friend of the Goldenrod Community Garden
Anyone can become a Friend; you don’t have to have a plot or even live in Kitchissippi. Please find more information here.