Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507140094
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The butterflies would be released in another day or two, when their wings had dried and stiffened, to their new habitat: a section of wild and domesticated flowers planted on school grounds.
Just before school ended, pupils, along with teachers and neighbors, gathered at the edge of the garden to add their leafy offerings and to dedicate the area to the community.
Ribbons were ceremoniously tied to a newly planted dogwood tree in memory of the Oklahoma City bombing victims. The school's custodian and neighbors dug holes for donated plants as the principal spoke of the opportunity the garden provides for the children: a closer, hands-on look at their world.
Brass plaques on short wooden posts designated several plants and bushes as living memorials to Adam Sweet, a former pupil at the school who was killed in a motorcycle accident last year. Neighbors and community organizations had donated the perennials as fitting tributes to the life-long resident, a lover of the outdoors who had explored and enjoyed the natural beauty of the mountain.
What started as the seed of an idea in the mind of a Bent Mountain teacher has blossomed into a garden the whole community can be a part of, learn from and enjoy.
Roberta Johnson, now a teacher at The Achievement Center in Roanoke, was a special education and science teacher at the school in 1994 when she applied for and won a Youth Garden Grant from the National Gardening Association.
``This is a good way for children to get in touch with nature, to learn about native plants and to see the butterfly as an indicator of how healthy the environment is,'' Johnson said.
With the grant as ``seed'' money, Johnson, with support from the community and local and area businesses, collected about $1,000 worth of donated tools, plants and supplies to get the garden project off the ground.
The pupils fanned out among the butterfly bushes, cosmos and day lilies, many carrying seedlings they had raised in their classrooms, some with tools, others with watering cans. Under their teachers' guidance, the children carefully dug holes, planted the new additions and soaked the soil.
They admonished each other to watch their step in between the sweet william, impatiens and marigold plants.
A local Boy Scout troop has tended the garden in exchange for use of the school as a meeting place. The work exchange and experience also helps them earn badges. The Bent Mountain Woman's Club has contributed time and materials, as well.
Residents stop by to weed, plant, mulch or just enjoy the space. Some bring plants from their own gardens. People often slow down as they drive by, enjoying the symbol of the small community that has come together whenever there has been a need.
Pupils in the school have been studying plants and butterflies and will use the garden as a living laboratory.
``This will be the focal point for more in-depth studies of plants, ecology and the environment,'' said Margaret Richardson, principal. ``It has been a great community activity.''
``We want it to be an all-encompassing community garden for everyone to enjoy,'' Richardson said. ``To plant something here in memory or in honor of someone is a lovely gesture because that lives on forever.''
by CNB