Maryellen, Janie, Jane A, Klaran, David, Amelia, Elise, and Pat
In a town of fewer than 4,000, Grantham has more than its share of angels. Unlike typical angels who wear immaculate, white robes, these angels aren’t afraid to get dirty. Instead of wings on their backs, they carry shovels in their garden-gloved hands. Instead of floating over clouds, they dig down in the dirt. Here’s the story:
The Grantham Garden Club ran a bulb sale fund raiser to benefit their scholarship and grant funds, educational programs, and civic gardens. Bundles of bulbs were delivered to GGC president Elise Kendall’s home. Elise reached out for volunteers to help sort the 1,250 bulbs. Soon an assembly line of nine workers filled bags with the correct number of bulbs for each customer. In no time, folks were sipping Elise’s warm mulled cider and celebrating a job well done.
The Garden Angels are people who bought 380 bulbs for the town, and/or sorted, delivered, and planted them. Early on a crisp autumn morning, the planting was done. My job was to photograph these angels going about their good work. Like all angels, these were somewhat elusive. I often came to a spot with freshly dug dirt but nary an angel in sight. As I drove up and down Route 10, I would think I spied some angels only to discover stuffed scarecrows or people waving election signs. My perseverance paid off, and I was able to get some pictures to share with you.
As I chatted with these wonderful volunteers, the Saint Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V popped into my mind. I know, that’s a little bit of a stretch, but imagine how happy this band of angels will be next spring when daffodils start popping up all over town.
The Grantham Garden Club ran a bulb sale fund raiser to benefit their scholarship and grant funds, educational programs, and civic gardens. Bundles of bulbs were delivered to GGC president Elise Kendall’s home. Elise reached out for volunteers to help sort the 1,250 bulbs. Soon an assembly line of nine workers filled bags with the correct number of bulbs for each customer. In no time, folks were sipping Elise’s warm mulled cider and celebrating a job well done.
The Garden Angels are people who bought 380 bulbs for the town, and/or sorted, delivered, and planted them. Early on a crisp autumn morning, the planting was done. My job was to photograph these angels going about their good work. Like all angels, these were somewhat elusive. I often came to a spot with freshly dug dirt but nary an angel in sight. As I drove up and down Route 10, I would think I spied some angels only to discover stuffed scarecrows or people waving election signs. My perseverance paid off, and I was able to get some pictures to share with you.
As I chatted with these wonderful volunteers, the Saint Crispin’s Day speech from Shakespeare’s Henry V popped into my mind. I know, that’s a little bit of a stretch, but imagine how happy this band of angels will be next spring when daffodils start popping up all over town.
Amelia handed out assignments and bulbs
Jim and Sue at Brookside Park
Kathy by the Historical Society building
Susan and MIchael recreating American Gothic :-)
Maryellen was in charge of planting 50 bulbs at the GVS
Janie and Bridget, who are on the Board of the Friends of the Library, chose to plant bulbs at the library.
Mark helped plant 70 bulbs at the Recreation Field before heading over to the school
Sara plants bulbs under the watchful eye of a stuffed J & S automotive worker scarecrow
GGC president Elise Kendall lends a hand