Lakes Park Ambassadors in the News
for July/August 2019
Summertime Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
hosted by First Watch
After the snowbirds have flown north for the summer, a handful of stalwart “year-rounder” volunteers continue to give of their time and talents at Lakes Regional Park. So when First Watch Regional Marketing Manager Kelsie Davidson approached Parks & Recreation with a brunch proposal, Senior Supervisor Joe DeBacker jumped at the opportunity to reward the troops.
The morning of July 11th was selected, and the Railroad Museum of South Florida generously offered the air-conditioned comfort of the Train Museum’s meeting room for the event. About 32 attendees came out to mix, mingle, and nosh on popular First Watch menu items. These included volunteers from the Botanic Garden, the Train Museum, the EZ Rider program, and the Lakes Park Summer Camp. Many thanks to Parks & Rec, the Railroad Museum, and especially to First Watch for making a good (and yummy!) thing happen.
Scenes from the Propagation Shed
Volunteer leaders banded together this month to start seedlings for the exclusive use of returning Community Garden members this October. The new fiscal year (October 1st for both the County and the Foundation) brings renewals for Community Garden beds. October 5th has been declared “Plant Your Garden Day”. New soil will be available to top off the beds, and renters will have the opportunity to purchase seedlings hand-propagated by their fellow gardeners.
The seedlings were started on August 2nd, and most sprouted only three days later (thank you, Florida summer showers!). Veggies so far include curly kale, dinosaur kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, and Swiss chard. Later this month, a second round of seedlings will be started with tomatoes and peppers. Lettuce will wait until October. Endless kudos to Kathy Busick, Nancy Sanders, Linda Sapp, and Jan Johnson for their industrious efforts to provide fellow gardeners with the opportunity to hit the ground running come October!
Student Ambassadors Rock The Garden!
Kathy Busick writes, “These three young college students spent the morning volunteering in the Children’s Garden. They are Gabby, Michelle and Sarah. Sarah and Gabby are nursing students at FSU. Michelle is a student at FGCU. They are awesome!”.
What better way is there to get some exercise and Vitamin D, all while serving your community AND earning your mandatory volunteer hours! We’ve got plenty of opportunities every Tuesday and Thursday morning, when Kathy leads the troops into battle against weeds, debris, and disarray.
FUN VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES are available
during the Lakes Park Fall Festival
BE A SCARECROWS AMBASSADOR!
Scarecrows Ambassadors are fun and festive (costumes HIGHLY encouraged) and hand out voting chips for the People’s Choice competition at Scarecrows in the Park. Sign up TODAY at Signup.com – all ages 16 and older are welcome!
