Downingtown/Exton
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JUNE 3, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXII • NO 10
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Time To Plant “Victory Over Virus” Gardens By Francine Fulton
During World Wars I and II, Americans were urged to plant “victory gardens” as the nation faced potential food shortages. At the time, fresh vegetables were grown in people’s yards and at public parks, churches and schools. Today, a new movement to create “coronavirus victory gardens” has begun locally and nationwide. Since nurseries and garden centers have been designated as essential businesses in most places, gardeners are able to purchase necessary supplies, including soil and starter plants. Locally, the Penn State Chester County Master Gardeners are promoting “victory over virus” gardens, a term used by Master Gardener Tony Buck. Local residents are
encouraged to plant vegetables for themselves and to share the harvest with neighbors. “Victory gardens were promoted by the government during World Wars I and II to increase people’s self-reliance in growing food at home,” said Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Master Gardener coordinator. “Harkening back to that, it is about self-reliance, particularly as we go to the store and see empty shelves.” She explained that even those without large backyards can create gardens in containers. “Many plants lend themselves nicely to growing in containers, including lettuces, eggplants and tomatoes,” Hopkins-Doerr said. “It is crucial that any container have good drainage, so you need to make sure there are drainage holes. There are also some plants that are specifically marketed as container varieties as they stay smaller
and have other features that lend themselves to tighter spaces. An example is the compact eggplant.” She said that people can use locally purchased vegetables to plant, while some gardeners prefer planting from seed. “The cheaper option is to start from seeds,” she stated. “But before buying seeds, make sure you have enough time to germinate, transplant if starting indoors and harvest during their optimal growing environment.” Hopkins-Doerr notes that planting a garden in the ground rather than in a container requires some preparation. “The land will need to be prepared first. That means removing any existing plants, likely tilling the soil to break it up and adding compost to enhance the soil structure and fertility,” she advised. “It is best to do a soil test so you know your soil’s pH and if you should add any fertilizers. You can also build or
“Victory over virus” vegetable gardens, like these created by Meagan Hopkins-Doerr, Chester County Master Gardener coordinator, can be grown in containers.
HIGH 5 Soccer Goes Virtual When the Glenmoore Eagle Youth Association (GEYA) canceled the spring session of the HIGH 5 Soccer program for special needs players due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coaches Matt and Jenn Wagner were determined to find a way to engage the players on a
weekly basis. During the time that HIGH 5 Soccer would ordinarily take place at GEYA’s Fellowship Field in Chester Springs, players instead took part in online soccer sessions via Zoom. The program was on Saturdays at 3 p.m. from April 11 through May 30. During the virtual program, which See HIGH 5 pg 3
By Francine Fulton
Parents looking for activities for their youngsters to enjoy during the stay-at-home order are invited to try some nature-related crafts suggested by Dawn White, environmental educator and education programs coordinator at
By Francine Fulton
Even with the stay-at-home and physical distancing orders, the Volunteer English Program (VEP) in Chester County is still providing oneto-one English language classes to adult learners, while continuing to offer services and support to its students and tutors. Many student/tutor pairs are continuing to meet for one-to-one English language learning lessons via telephone, smartphone and computer video conferencing, along with worksheets sent through the mail. In addition, technical training for tutors is available virtually. See Volunteer English pg 5
It Takes A Village Continues To Serve The Community By Francine Fulton
Like other local nonprofit organizations, It Takes a Village has begun offering new services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who place nonperishable food items in the organization’s Community Food Boxes are now donating
Nature-Themed Crafts, Scavenger Hunt Ideal For Children the Green Valleys Watershed Association (GVWA). One activity White suggested is making paper bag bird puppets using small brown paper bags, utilizing construction paper to make different types of beaks, feathers and wings. “Let kids create birds by coloring the bag and then See Activities pg 4
additional products, including masks and protective face coverings. “People are putting in masks, diapers and other household products more than ever before,” said Ruby George, a member of the board of directors. “We know that people are using the boxes, and we’ve seen a lot more people making an effort to fill them.” It Takes a Village currently maintains four Community Food Boxes along the Business Route 30 corridor. The Downingtown Train Station box is located on the westbound or Lancaster Avenue/Route 30 side of the station, which is accessible from the parking lot. Another box is located in Dawkins Park in Caln Township, located next to the Coatesville Area High School campus, on Pennsylvania Avenue between North Caln Road and Veterans Drive near the park pavilion. The Abdala Park box is located between Ninth and 10th avenues in Coatesville on the south side of Business Route 30 next to Walgreens. The Ash Park box is located between Third and Fourth avenues between Kersey and Walnut streets in Coatesville. Three additional box locations are in the works for See It Takes A Village pg 6
Community Food Boxes put in place by It Takes a Village offer free food and toiletries to residents in need. Community members are invited to place donations of nonperishable goods in the boxes.
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By Francine Fulton
See Gardens pg 4
Volunteer English Program Moves To Online Learning