Newsletter #4

We are having a blast at the farm markets this season. No matter where you live, you are probably near one...or more! Check a market out and enjoy this season of bountiful produce and amazing artisans and vendors! Goodness Grows is again part of the Austintown Farmers Market every Monday from 5-8 at the Austintown Township Park. We are also at the new, but very cool, South Ave. Market in front of Wedgewood Pizza in Boardman, also from 5-8 Monday evenings. Howland has a wonderful market on Saturdays, from 9-1, where we participate the last Saturday of every month. We would love to see you at one of the markets. We always have our Jungle Jam, with free samples, as well as a variety of other items. You never know what amazing goodies you'll find at the farmers market!

We have had two more awesome groups join us to volunteer at Goodness Grows. If you think there is no hope for our current crop of teenagers and young adults, well, then you have definitely not been hanging out with the right people! These folks are amazing. They work hard, giving their all to whatever task is at hand. The most impressive part is that they do it with a smile and with plenty of kindness and good-natured teasing. We thank these two mission groups for the time and effort they put in all over our property, from weeding, to hauling and spreading mulch, to splitting wood, to more tasks than we have space to name. Thank you! We also thank Canfield Presbyterian Church, once again, for housing all the groups and making these experiences possible. Now we are looking forward to meeting our final summer mission group from Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church.

Our third annual Goodness Grows Family Fun Fest was a hit with all participants. The Mahoning County Green Team was here with their reusable bag project, which is always enjoyed by young and old alike. A big thank you to Kim Lewis from the Green Team for providing compostable cups and creating a special "Hydration Station." We are proud to report that this is the first year we did not sell any disposable water bottles and we generated very little "landfill trash." Kim took the compostables with her to Youngstown instead of consigning them to the dump. Sometimes it is easy being green!

Dragonfly Balloons was with us again, providing penguins, snowmen, kitten ears, fairy wings, fish inside fish bowls, and more balloon works of art than you can imagine! Making his inaugural appearance at the Fun Fest was Ouija the Umbrella Crested Cockatoo, who brought his human family along with him, of course! Everyone enjoyed Ouija's kisses and cuddles, as well as his ability to speak. It appeared Ouija was not a big fan of amazing balloon creations, though.

Along with all those special guest, there were wagon rides, face painting, and outdoor games all for free, as well as hot dogs, chips, popcorn, and lemonade for sale. The highly anticipated Bake Walk was a huge success. This game that allows you the opportunity to win items like a whole cake, a plate of cookies, a pack of cupcakes, etc., for just a $1.00 ticket has wowed players for two years now. Thank you to everyone who donated baked goods for this beloved game! The players were impressed by the wide array of delicious prize choices.

If you didn't make it to the Fest this year, we are sorry you missed out! Watch for info on Fun Fest 2018 and come support Goodness Grows while enjoying an afternoon of full of fun for all ages.