COMMUNITY

The family often passed Paris on the 403 and always wondered about the small town with an iconic name Celeste is from the Paris of South America and the Joseph family speaks French so the connection piqued their interest. They wondered, what does this Paris have to offer? Well, one weekend they visited Paris and immediately fell in love. They started looking at houses and were fascinated with the natural beauty of the town and all the outdoor trails and adventures available within the neighbourhood. They found a real estate agent, listed their condo in Toronto and moved to their dream home in Paris. Moving day was memorable It was Halloween night and the family felt as if they were moving into a movie set All the houses were dressed for the occasion – pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts and ghouls everywhere. Even the movers were in awe of the decorated streets and took the chance to drive around and take in all the sights. This would be the family’s first experience of the spirited community they joined “There was an overwhelming sense of tranquility and acceptance that we’d never experienced before,” said Ralph. Certainly, a different way of life compared to city living among millions of people, none of whom who truly know. “It’s refreshing when someone asks you if you need help because they want to help you Or seeing that people are willing to give away things they no longer need knowing that someone in the community might just have a use for it,” said Ralph expressing how different city and small-town living can be.

For Celeste, the sense of community is unique, and she immediately fell in love “Everyone is willing to help, to lend a hand, to share, to give of themselves. The ‘me’ is overridden by the ‘us’, and this is how I wish other parts of the world could be. It is a good and ethical way to raise our kids – now teens- who can experience first-hand what it is like being part of something bigger than yourself, as well as learn that the act of giving is not about giving what you have, but giving who you are. And that is how I believe we create community.”

Not only did the Paris Ontario Gardeners group provide a forum for members to share advice and come together at community events, it also enables members to grow bountiful gardens and share their vegetables with other members and the Little Free Pantry!

Hoping to connect with others in the community, the couple started the Paris, Ontario Gardeners Facebook group in 2021 with the initial goal of connecting with people who have the same interest and benefiting from shared knowledge. It was a group for Paris ON residents sharing gardening tips, events, and advice, but it became so much more.

“It started as a virtual/online Facebook group, so we did not expect to meet people ‘in real life’ but that is what ended up happening! Currently on the verge of reaching 1,000 members. Imagine the amount of knowledge we carry among us,” said Celeste.

The group consists of gardeners of all levels, some just like the Josephs who moved to Paris, found gardens and plant beds on their property, and wondered, what should I do with this space? Other members are master gardeners, and they bring an insurmountable amount of theoretical and practical knowledge to the group.

“This ongoing exchange of knowledge, green wisdom and love for sharing is what has defined our group today,” said Celeste.

Not only is it a forum to obtain and share knowledge, but it’s also a great place to provide some gardening tips, share gardening type events, notify members of how to find inexpensive garden supplies, help identify specific plants and most heart warming of all, trade and share surplus of homegrown vegetables with your neighbours or the Little Free Pantry.

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