The Year Of Lockdown Come Walk In My Garden

Botanic Geniuses Ready To Open Their Gates For The 23rd Annual June 11 Park Hill Garden Walk

By Jean Ercolani Park Hill Garden Walk Organizer

Eight gardens, including three in the Mayfair neighborhood will be featured at the 23rd Park Hill Garden Walk on Sunday, June 11. Nineteen local artists will also show, share, and sell their work in the gardens. You’ll find sculpture, oil and watercolor paintings, mixed media, paper arts, wood cuts and botanical prints, with many artists working en plein air

We spoke with a few of the botanic geniuses whose gardens will be featured about their interests, struggles and pure enjoyment of gardening. Each outdoor oasis these gardeners have created is as different and unique as the gardeners themselves. At the same time, each of these individuals share similarities in the struggles they

An A lys I s

Gun Violence Strikes Twice At East, Sparking Demands: Our Voices Will Be Heard

By Anna Boyle and Elin Lawrence Special to the GPHN

Lockdowns and secure perimeters have become so frequent at East High School that most students are numb to the fact that when these now-routine announcements come in through the PA system, a dangerous situation may actually be occurring.

When the announcement of a secure perimeter on Feb. 13 interrupted seventh period, fear was not the first emotion — laughter and annoyance were.

That February day, casual conversations occupied everyone until text messages and social media stories from friends started rolling in. Students who witnessed what happened on the Esplanade, and students in classes facing 17th Avenue who heard the gunshots, were the first to notify their peers.

At 3:39 p.m., East Principal Terita Walker sent out a notice of a secure perimeter, but the extent of what happened was not clarified to students until nearly two hours later. In the meantime, parents weren’t informed of the status of their kids — a delay in communications that can be attributed to the time it takes for central administration to allow Walker to send out official notifications.

(For those who need a translation for terms that are now common to students: continued on page 10 encounter with Colorado’s Front Range climate. Their advice to others is consistent: Be patient, have fun, and enjoy your creation.

All of these gardeners take their time, study what works, where it works and what the plant needs in terms of water and nutrients. A couple of them referenced the TV show Gardeners World on BBC — which provides great gardening tips and information.

For them, gardening is not just something you do in the summer. It’s a year-round endeavor that encompasses planning, experimenting, learning, failure, success and happiness. Lots and lots of happiness.

Where did your love and interest of gardening originate? (Hint: Their mothers got them started.)

Kyle Kimmal and Ron Davis – Kyle’s mom was a florist and thus started his interest in plants. Kyle’s gardening interest soon rubbed off on Ron and they experimented together with various plants and techniques. At one point, Rob Proctor, a professional gardener, was their neighbor and taught them about gardening yearround. They were also part of a community garden when they lived in a row house near 10th and Emerson. Their lives took them to Boston for a few years where they took over vacant lots to build a community garden. Their effort was appreciated by the community, and helped them get to know their neighbors.

Colin Ammerman and Mark Wren –Colin is definitely the gardener. Mark says Colin has the “green thumb” and he has the “rusty one.” Colin grew up in England continued on page 14

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