Community Garden Potluck

July 20, was a rainy and cold Friday but that did not deter a hardy (or foolhardy) group of gardeners and garden lovers from holding the monthly potluck at the Community Garden located behind the Jacob Nichols House on South 5th Street off Ferry. The garden is small, surrounded by a white picket fence, it fits right in with the Historical Society setting at the Jacob Nichols house and people often ask if the garden is part of the tour when the house is open to the public.  Well, yes and no, the garden is not run by the Historical Society but is located in a historic district. The garden is supported through funds from the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership, a program of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, and is cared for by neighborhood volunteers who live on the block near the garden. The garden is open to all that want to volunteer there or just want to enter the gate, take a stroll, or sit for a while in a quiet space to smell the flowers.

Above the garden is an open space perfectly suited for the monthly potluck where neighbors and friends of the garden gather to share food and conversation. So far  the potluck has a perfect score, for over two seasons it has yet to be cancelled due to the weather. This is why a group of hardy souls were out there on Friday eve as scheduled. We put up an awning, but really did not need it, for the rain stopped as the evening commenced and did not start again until after all was cleared away.

On this particular Friday we had the pleasure of live music in the form of a mini concert by 11 year old Clara Kewley on her viola. Past potlucks have featured jazz pianist Patrick Poladian, a neighbor of the garden. All agreed that music was a perfect addition to an otherwise lovely evening. So musicians, singers, and music lovers all take note, along with your covered dish, please feel free to bring instruments to the garden, plates, cups, utensils, food to share, and a warm audience provided.

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Photos of the garden at South 5th and Ferry.

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