Jack Foster and Barbara Sandy create garden of friendship and sharing

“I’m happiest when my hands are in the dirt,” quips Jack Foster of Burr Ridge, a spry 94-year-old who, with his neighbor, Barbara Sandy, received surprise honors Sept. 7 for their gardening leadership. Friends, neighbors, family members and staff of the King-Bruwaert House (KBH) senior living community attended an outdoor gathering organized by Director of Wellness and Resident Services Shareen Klasing and several residents. Both Jack and Barbara reside in The Woods of King-Bruwaert cottage homes.

The ceremony paid tribute to the pair for dedicating more than two decades to vegetable and herb gardening. Engraved plaques were presented to them that will be permanently placed in the garden.

Jack and Barbara start the garden every year by mapping out a plan for crops, selecting seeds and seedlings to plant and making a schedule for tilling, fertilizing, weeding and cultivating the vegetables. During growing season, Jack collects and cleans the produce before placing it in a cooler for residents who can select from a medley of green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, peppers, broccoli, egg plant, zucchini, radishes, onions, lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers, beets, carrots, and turnips. Jack has been known to deliver vegetables directly to his KBH friends.

“Dad wants all the residents to have an opportunity to sample and enjoy the vegetables,” said his daughter, Barbara Foster Willson. “It has always been important to him to share the produce. His entire family knows that the KBH garden has given Jack great purpose in his golden years. He is out there every day tending to the garden.”

Gardening interests began early in Jack’s life. Growing up, he spent summers on Lake Erie at a cottage in Canada that was purchased by his father in 1925. Jack and his family lived in Detroit, not far from the Canadian border. The cottage, located in farm country, allowed Jack to become friends with farmers who taught him how to till, plow, dig, hoe, seed, mulch, fertilize and harvest the crops. He loved spending time in the fields and was proud to be a “farm boy.”

“In Canada, where our home is – it’s definitely farm country,” Jack said. “They grow soybeans, corn and wheat. I call myself a farmer because I like what they do, their philosophies and their dedication to hard work. It made a very positive impression on me.”

After graduating from college, Jack married Sally, moved to Hinsdale and established a successful career, eventually becoming president of Ryerson Steel. During summers he would bring his family to the cottage in Canada where new memories were made.

When Jack retired and moved to the KBH community, he and Sally were enthused about planning a garden that could also involve others. With Sally’s gardening knowledge, coupled with Jack’s expertise in Canadian farming, the KBH garden became a central focus for the couple and Barbara Sandy was happy to join them.

In 1993, Jack and Sally purchased 17 acres of land a few miles from the cottage and planted 10,000 trees representing all different varieties. They both had a love of nature, plants, and trees.

The Woods vegetable garden serves as a social place on the campus. Since Sally’s passing in 2015, Jack continues to oversee the garden with Barbara and other residents that include Gary Coop, April and Bob Rinder, Sandi and Les Sandy, Jeanine Donner, Jim and Ki Scanlon, Jane Foster, Joe Chandler, Nan Barnhardt, and Jeff and Jan Frommelt.

Barbara Sandy’s introduction to gardening began at the ripe young age of 6 when President Franklin Roosevelt encouraged American families to create Victory Gardens in their yards and neighborhoods. During World War II, nearly 20 million Victory Gardens sprouted up across our nation. Families often shared what they grew, which was helpful during a time of food rationing. Barbara’s mother raised her two children to recognize the importance of planting a garden and sharing its bounty.

Les Sandy, Barbara’s brother, said his sister’s interest in gardening never waned from the Victory Garden days and she enjoys planting herbs that include basil, rosemary and parsley. He added that she’s always been a creative person, both as a teacher and a gardener.
“She paid great attention to detail in everything she did,” Les said.

Not surprisingly, Jack and Barbara have inspired family members to pursue gardening interests including adult children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Barbara Foster Willson has enjoyed spending time with her father in the Woods garden and points to his “very strong work ethic.”

Clearly, Jack Foster and Barbara Sandy are doing a great job of planting seeds for the future and sharing their love and joy of gardening with the KBH community.