Edible garden opened at Lounsberry Hollow

VERNON — It was a delightful “Edible Garden Dedication,” June 15 at Lounsberry Hollow Middle School.
Fifth-Grade Social Studies and Language Arts co-teachers Kristie Lyons and Shari Kenerson, had applied for and received a $4,900 grant through Lowe's to produce a beautiful, raised bed garden, with lovely white stone surrounding pathways.
Lyons said, many people helped: the maintenance department built the animal proof fence, Kenerson's husband helped design; Lyons' husband built the eight flower beds; Kenerson's sons, faculty, and Glen Meadow donated plants.
Students who finished their schoolwork early, Lyons said, helped during the day. Several students and faculty members stayed after school to help. She added, “It was a group effort — getting it done. It is not done, yet. It is going to keep growing.”
One volunteer pointed out they moved hundreds of pounds of white rocks – during the hottest two days of the year.
Kale, radishes, tomato plant, gorgeous pepper plant, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, Kohlrabi, Tomatillos, squash, basil, rosemary, and parsley thrived.
Kenerson said everything, except for the flowers, is from seed.
Faculty members painted rocks with inspirational words or designs to decorate the garden.
Lyons explained, benches are within the garden, so classes can come out and sit; and teachers can have a lunch break.
For years, she had grown a little garden on the school grounds. Then she and Kenerson, who brainstorm ideas constantly, developed the garden.
Before Kenerson clipped the bright yellow caution tape running in front of the wooden gate — to applause — Lyons read a poignant speech.
She said, “In a year of change, we hope it can be a place where those who are leaving us can come back to and remember the family that we have here.” choking up – “One of the most beautiful discoveries one can make is even though we continue to grow up, and sometimes separate, we still will never grow apart. So, we dedicate the garden to you guys. Thank you so much for all your support.”
Lyons was choking up at the possibility of some colleagues transferring from Lounsberry Hollow next school year.
Lounsberry Hollow Middle School Principal Edwina Piszczek admired the garden and said, “I just love this. They did such a nice job.”
She, Assistant Principal Kristin Gudenkauf, and the entire office staff all supported and helped the project from the very beginning, as well as donating all the food and beverages for the volunteers.
After the dedication, administration and faculty enjoyed the gorgeous, chocolate fudge filled Vernon Acme cake, with its decorative butterflies and dragonflies, coffee, and tea.
Kenerson said, “One of the best experiences happened when field day had been postponed. — due to weather. They brought a couple of classes to work in the garden: learning, sharing ideas, like, “How are we going to plant this?” “Where are we going to put it?”
Lyons said, they “kind of stepped back,” and the students “took it on themselves.”
Kenerson added, they realized the students do not have many opportunities like that in a garden - guiding each other. She added, “What is really nice is the kids walk by this everyday when they go outside for lunches. We see them peeking in,” to see “What's going on over there?”
She suddenly stopped and exclaimed, “Oh, look at! Look at!”
They both said all together, “Oh, yay!”
A beautiful, comfortable, red sitting chair arrived after everyone had left.
As Lyons placed the red chair in the corner of the garden, she said, “See, our garden is still growing.”