Blan library has not-so-secret garden

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BLANCHESTER — The Blanchester Public Library took the 2017 Summer Reading Program theme, Build a Better World, to the next level by transforming part of its property into a thriving children’s garden.

Everyone is invited to attend the grand opening of The Growing Station from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 31, followed by a garden-themed Family Storytime from 6 to 7 p.m.

The Growing Station is a hands-on learning laboratory for all ages where using your senses to touch, taste, hear, smell and see are encouraged. The project was managed by the library’s Youth Services Coordinator Amanda Bishop.

“Amanda has done an unbelievable job with this garden, from designing the layout to ordering all of the necessary supplies to making sure everything was completed in a timely fashion,” said Library Director Chris Owens. “The Growing Station will be a great addition for the library and the community as we try to do our part to build a better world.”

Thanks in part to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio, a previously unused lot is now a garden of raised beds full of vegetables and a butterfly garden.

The garden not only provides the opportunity for healthy snacks during programs but also a chance for students to give back to their community by donating vegetables to the local food pantry. Storytime students and their parents will spend time growing vegetables from seed in the greenhouse each year and then planting, taking care of and harvesting their produce throughout the spring and summer.

The Growing Station will supply endless opportunities for exploration and learning throughout the year from gardening, bird and insect studies, life cycles of plants and animals and much more. In addition, community involvement through service hours, scout badge programs, in-school and after-school programs are all being planned. Members of Girl Scout Troop 30610 already logged many of their Silver Award hours by helping to build, haul soil and plant The Growing Station and serving as ambassadors for the library.

For more information, visit or call the library at 937-783-3585.

Troop 30610, including from left Carolee Grehan, Hannah Gabbard and Bethany Fessler (and Rebekah Davenport, not pictured) helped build, fill and plant the raised beds as part of their Silver Award hours.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/07/web1_library-garden-3.jpgTroop 30610, including from left Carolee Grehan, Hannah Gabbard and Bethany Fessler (and Rebekah Davenport, not pictured) helped build, fill and plant the raised beds as part of their Silver Award hours. Courtesy photos

The Schuh Family — from left Tracy, Brantley, Peyton and Isabelle — try some mint while looking for hidden items in the fairy garden.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/07/web1_library-garden-2.jpgThe Schuh Family — from left Tracy, Brantley, Peyton and Isabelle — try some mint while looking for hidden items in the fairy garden. Courtesy photos
Takes summer reading theme a step further

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