Westlake garden receives blessing, new gate

Rev. Dennis Kristof blesses the Westlake community garden at UH St. John Medical Center. Photo by Regina McCarthy

The Westlake Community Garden received its official blessing on a beautiful June 22 evening. Following greetings from Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and Robert David, President of UH St. John Medical Center, the "Canticle of the Sun" was sung by Sister Kendra, and Rev. Dennis Kristof of the UH SJMC ministry team blessed the garden.

A prayer was offered in memory of Frank J. Obey, one of our pioneer gardeners, who passed away suddenly in April at age 86. His fellow gardeners will keep his plot active this year, with crops grown in his memory donated to the Westlake Food Pantry.

Special recognition was given to Matt Castele, a Boy Scout from Troop 401, who earned his Eagle Scout status at this ceremony, having completed his project of designing, constructing and installing a much‑needed second entry gate to the garden. Helping Matt with the construction was his father, Dan; and his uncle and cousins, Dave, Paige and Claire Rogozinski, assisted Matt and Dan with the installation. Mom Monica provided support throughout the combined 20 work hours involved in Matt’s Eagle Scout project.  Thank you, Matt and the Castele and Rogozinski families. The gate is as beautiful as it is functional. 

The Westlake Community Garden is located on the UH SJMC campus, south of the Siedman Cancer Center and can be seen from Crocker Road.

Regina McCarthy

Publicity Chair, Westlake Garden Club

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Volume 8, Issue 14, Posted 9:44 AM, 07.19.2016