Blaine School Dedicates New Garden to its School Community

On September 11, 2013, Blaine PTA's Garden Committee held a colorful ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate its new garden space to the Blaine school community. In attendance were the school's music teacher, Colin McGeehan, who led his students in singing The Garden Song. Principal LaRaviere addressed the crowd and introduced volunteer parent and head gardener, Nancy Ziegelmueller. Vince Egan from Alderman Tunney's office and Heather Way from the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce helped with the official ribbon cutting. Here are excerpts from Mrs. Ziegelmueller's eloquent and gracious speech:

"We had many volunteers show up on our gardening days, and they worked very hard.  The level of volunteerism for this BOG was astonishing.  One of the ways we advertised the BOG in the very beginning was to borrow the Field of Dreams statement: If you build it, they will come.  And the volunteers did come. They were amazing.

The Blaine community also stepped up when it came time for fundraising.  Many people donated in the first months of the BOG.  Then, a lot of people bought these beautiful engraved bricks during our Blue Jay Way fundraiser this past spring.  I hope this space reflects that incredible generosity.  Thank you.

Not only money has helped this BOG.  The compliments, encouragement and support that we have received go a long way.

Finally, I would like to thank the Blaine administration and staff for their support, the willingness to let us try this garden thing, and their patience with our timetable.

People who like to garden know that gardening is great. But the true magic of a garden is watching a child’s face when they see a flower or a vegetable grow from a tiny seed he or she planted.  The surprise and excitement in a child when she tastes a tomato right off the vine, or pulls a radish out of the dirt, or smells basil when a little hand is brushed through it, is the reward for going through the hard work of building a garden space.  The squeals when a child has a close encounter with a worm or an insect, and the careful curiosity of a child while he examines a bumblebee buzzing about its work are truly magical. 

We dedicate this garden to the Blaine community, especially the children."