Fresh Produce for the Community in Staunton Virginia at Jones Garden

Get your fresh veggies on this Summer in Staunton Virginia at Jones Garden. An inspirational Community Garden that sells reasonably priced produce grown onsite. You can even volunteer in the garden and be credited produce for your efforts. It's a great way to dig in the dirt if you don't have a plot of your own or meet like minded civic oriented friends that want to make available delicious fresh organic food to all income levels. 

The lush garden is the brainchild of Naomi Jones who often can be found in the garden. Her artistic sister, Sarah, designed the colorful and well thought out space. Many other members of the Jones family helped bring the city plot to life by building large walls and planter boxes. This is only the second season of food production for the garden and one would think such an accomplishment would have taken many more years to develop. The work that has gone into this effort is quite amazing to see.

Produce sales are open to anyone in the community and are held weekly beginning May - October, Friday 3 pm - 6 pm and Saturday 9 am - 1 pm. Greens, tomatoes, beans, onions, herbs, and many other crops are grown in this relatively small area. Freshly grown onsite so the selection will change as the season progresses. Small plot / healthy high production!

Educational seminars are also scheduled from time to time, visit their Instagram page for all announcements. 

The elderly can sign up for garden food delivery while aiding Jones Garden in their composting efforts. Collect compostable food scraps and exchange them for veggies! 

Runners are encouraged to help support the garden by running in the Nourishing Strides 5K on Saturday May 28. Pre-registration required no later than May 1.

The garden location was selected to target the surrounding senior population which is high in this previously neglected area of the City. Staunton is so fortunate to have this beautiful green space available to its citizens! This garden is a gift to the community and it takes a special person to give it all they have. I applaud Naomi and her worker bees. 

Support the garden in some way, RUN - GARDEN - SHOP! 

It's all good. 

~Rebecca

 

  

Shops at Stonefield Lighted Christmas Tree Walk in Charlottesville VA

A nice holiday outing in Charlottesville Virginia is The Tinsel Trail at the Shops at Stonefield. Hosted by the Junior League of Charlottesville it features 50 Christmas Trees uniquely decorated by local businesses. 

The outdoor decorations will ring in the New Year, on display until January 2nd.  

Get in the spirit and check it out - it's free! Every year we take a little car tour of the lights and we added this to the list. Bundle up, it was only 40 degrees last night when we toured the trees. 

There is also a very pretty tree in front of the movie theatre and many of the trees along the walkways are also lighted.

Restaurants and businesses were open as we strolled around. It's prettiest at night but you can check it out day or night. Next to Burger Bach.

Enjoy my video of our tour 

 ~Rebecca

Let's be safe for one another, wear a mask

 Let's be safe for one another. 

Little hikers not bothered by face masks

Yesterday I took my mother to Ivy Creek Natural area. She expected no one to be in the park and a mask to not be needed as it was getting late in the day. She was pleasantly surprised to see many hikers and families enjoying the untypical mid-November pleasant weather. The parking lot was overflowing and masks were being worn outdoors even with a fairly wide area surrounding each family group. The message that cases across our country are dangerously spiking has gotten through.

In general, safety among residents and businesses is taken seriously in the Charlottesville area. It's very much frowned upon to not respect one another and wear a mask and keep your distance. I intentionally shop at Trader Joes because they have taken the virus seriously since day one. I was not finding the same degree of mask wearing, and cleaning protocols in the larger stores. The way to keep stores open is to wear a mask and not cause an explosion of cases which leads to a lock down.

Weather so warm, bluebird explores his nest box

I was pretty amazed to see so many masks in an open park. I've heard some complaining as to how difficult it is to get a child to wear a mask. I saw no sign of this in the park and if the adults are doing something the children tend to want to do what they are doing. It's no wonder that the Thomas Jefferson Health District that includes Charlottesville and Albemarle county in Virginia has the lowest positivity rate in the state.

When I went to China in the 1980's some citizens were wearing masks. Pollution and close quarters have taught the Chinese the value of wearing a mask. It's no big deal for them, and it's becoming no big deal for us. Honestly I'm not sure I want to ever be in close proximity to strangers without wearing a mask. May be our cold and flu season won't be as severe because of the mask wearing.

~Rebecca

What to see Halloween in Charlottesville Virginia, check out this Scary Creepy Halloween Display

Creep yourself out by driving past this scary Halloween Art Display just outside of Charlottesville in neighboring Free Union, Virginia. It's actually not too far from my house so it was a must see for me.

Please Mr. Postman reach in for a Halloween Treat! Know someone who gets creeped out by clowns? Might be a nice surprise.

This collection of creepy clowns is the creation of Cheryl Schultheis and family members. Apparently this is a yearly event.  I can't wait until next year.

When you get to the end of Free Union Rd, turn left and you can't miss it, on Millington Rd.

At end of Wyngate Rd off Woodlands Rd.

Driving down Woodlands Rd, there are a few tamer side shows to check out. Keep your eyes peeled.

~Rebecca