[Communications] [Info-distribution] Winter Newsletter

[JW Glass]

Hi Adam,

Well, we have 5 working groups that you could join. See the pages on the
website in the menu tree under Who We Are.

Also, see the year end message post
<https://chicagocommunitygardens.org/2025/01/12/year-end-message/> on the
site.

We are meeting this Tuesday at 6pm on Zoom, the meeting link is on the site
HERE <https://chicagocommunitygardens.org/ccga-coordinating-meetings-2025/>.

You could join the meeting to see what we do. We are all volunteers.

JW Glass

CCGA Communications Team Volunteer


On Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 4:57 PM Adam Russek-Sobol via Info-distribution <
info-distribution at chicagocommunitygardens.org> wrote:

> I’d love to volunteer. How can I sign up!!
>
> *Adam Russek-Sobol*
> <http://maybeimcrazy.xyz>
> adamrusseksobol.com
>
> *"A great life isn't about great huge things, it's about small things that
> make a huge difference."*
>
> On Sun, Jan 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM CCGA <CCGA
> <CCGA+%3Cinfo at chicagocommunitygardens.org%3E>> wrote:
>
>> Upcoming Seed Swaps • Ways to Celebrate Winter • Remembering Julie
>> Samuels • 2024 Highlights
>> View this email in your browser
>> <https://mailchi.mp/8cc69a555f8b/ccga-8th-annual-gardeners-conference-register-10303703?e=10467e958f>
>>
>> *News for Community Gardeners*
>>
>> *"**Winter is not a season, it's a celebration"*
>> — Anamika Mishra
>> Celebrating Winter's Stillness
>>
>> As we start to focus on the year ahead while our gardens hibernate under
>> the snow, we’re sharing some news and events as well as some highlights
>> from our work together the past year. With everything going on around us,
>> we hope you’re finding ways to celebrate Winter, whether that means
>> getting inspired with gardening content and the new seed catalogues,
>> planning a new garden bed, or finding moments of stillness in nature. We’re
>> excited to share another year of growing together with you!
>> *CCGA Monthly Meeting this Tuesday*
>> Join us for our first monthly meeting of 2025 this Tuesday, January 21,
>> at 6pm on Zoom. All are welcome! Details can be found on the CCGA website
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=794b698ba3&e=10467e958f>.
>>
>>
>> *Winter 2025 Edition*
>>
>>    - Volunteer with CCGA!
>>    - Winter 2025 Seed Swap Events
>>    - A Few Ways to Celebrate Winter
>>    - Remembering Julie Samuels
>>    - 2024 Highlights
>>    - CCGA Legacy Gardener Film Project
>>
>> Volunteer with CCGA!
>>
>> CCGA is an all-volunteer collective of community gardeners and needs
>> people power to thrive. If you have a passion for supporting our gardening
>> communities (and have a little time to share) then you have come to the
>> right place!
>>
>> The *Communications team
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=e4acb0b827&e=10467e958f>* needs
>> help supporting all of CCGA’s communications including the website,
>> community garden map, social media, newsletters, writing, graphic design,
>> photography, and some workshop/special event technical support and
>> promotion. You don't have to have professional experience to be on the
>> team, just a zest for communications and amplifying all the amazing work
>> gardeners and growers are doing in Chicago!
>>
>> The *Advocacy & Outreach team
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=77e5180b38&e=10467e958f>* is
>> focused on tackling bigger-picture issues that affect all of us who are
>> growers. While Chicago’s neighborhood gardens are our immediate focus, we
>> also help to create policies that support the health and sustainability of
>> green space and people in Chicago by working with the City and other
>> partners and organizations with whom we share common goals.
>>
>> The *Resources & Distributions team
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=c6d0772f7e&e=10467e958f>* always
>> needs help with growing seedlings and distributing plants. We would also
>> like to hear from you if you learned/tried something in your garden last
>> summer that you’d be willing to share with other gardeners *this winter
>> at a workshop*. Last year, community gardeners shared their knowledge
>> about growing luffas, cultivating sprouts indoors and planting containers
>> for pollinators. Email resources at chicagocommunitygardens.org if you’re
>> interested in sharing your skills through a workshop!
>>
>> Contact the team you're interested in joining by clicking on the team
>> links above!
>> Find a Seed Swap!
>>
>> *National Seed Swap Day is January 25 *and the U of I Extension, Cook
>> County created a handy interactive map to help you locate a seed swap. It's
>> inspiring to see so many swaps happening around the city and suburbs! To
>> add your swap to the list please email sbatka at illinois.edu. Thanks to *Sarah
>> Batka* from *U of I Extension* for compiling and providing access to the
>> seed swap map!
>> Seed Swap Map
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=ebc07783ae&e=10467e958f>
>> For more *events and workshops*, check the CCGA events calendar
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=c8caf164f4&e=10467e958f>and
>> follow us on Facebook
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=f7598b44b4&e=10467e958f>
>> and Instagram
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=f5b00827f1&e=10467e958f>!
>> If you'd like us to share your event, you can add it to the calendar and
>> send an email to communications at chicagocommunitygardens.org
>> <communications at chicagocommunitygardens.org?subject=Please%20share%20my%20event%20(W2025%20newsletter)> for
>> us to share a post on our social channels.
>>
>> Ways to Celebrate Winter
>>
>>    1. *Make Seed Bombs.* Some of us have bags of seed pods in our
>>    freezers needing to be stripped of dried petals. Seeds can be rolled
>>    into seed bombs
>>    <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=6573dd31f1&e=10467e958f>
>>    for easy planting.
>>    2. *Make Pine Cone Bird Feeders. *Find a large and open pine cone and
>>    attach string, wire, or pipe cleaner to the top to create a hanger. Then
>>    smear it with sunflower butter (no allergies) and roll it in sunflower
>>    seeds or another birdseed.  For a gardener’s upgrade, add native tree fruit
>>    that you might see locally, like hackberry drupes, sweetgum, catalpa pods,
>>    and sycamore balls. Dark-eyed Junco like to stay on the ground but will eat
>>    seeds that fall from feeders. The Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee,
>>    Red-breasted Nuthatch, and the Blue Jay will love this biodegradable
>>    wildlife fodder. Here are some helpful instructions.
>>    <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=cefc1df9e9&e=10467e958f>
>>    3. *Do Some Birdwatching. *There are no longer leaves to break the
>>    fall of the sun, and cold bare branches are truly not silent. The birds
>>    mentioned above are still here and watching them can help you understand
>>    ecosystems and how creatures respond to environmental changes. It’s easier
>>    to spot birds in winter (especially for little eyes). The stillness of
>>    winter allows for bird calls to be crisper and clearer. Merlin, by
>>    Cornell Labs
>>    <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=5e6fd7eb23&e=10467e958f>,
>>    has a great website and apps to help with identification.
>>    4. *Try Identifying Trees in Winter by Their Bark. *Oh, what a
>>    challenge but a glorious endeavor if you can find a walk led by someone
>>    knowledgeable. Take a virtual walk with Tom Ebeling
>>    <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=6c4c7d6e6c&e=10467e958f>,
>>    an Openlands community arborist, and begin to identify trees in Winter at
>>    the Garfield Park Conservatory!
>>
>> Remembering Julie Samuels
>>
>> *Julie, enjoying the exhibits at one of the CCGA Annual Conferences.*
>>
>> We mourn the loss of our dear gardening friend and mentor *Julie Samuels*,
>> who passed away on July 19, 2024. A Celebration of Life was held for her in
>> August in Oak Park. Many from CCGA attended and there were well over *two
>> dozen* speakers who gave testimony to the grace, selflessness, and truth
>> that Julie gave us with her friendship, as an organizer, and her propensity
>> to propagate! Her online obituary can be found here
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=2d3561369e&e=10467e958f> and
>> you're welcome to add a memory or story.
>>
>> We’ve formed a committee working to create a lasting tribute to Julie and
>> will share details as they develop. If you’d like to be a part of the
>> committee or have any stories to share of Julie, please send them to us at
>> communications at chicagocommunitygardens.org or message us on Facebook
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=839cca3e63&e=10467e958f>.
>> Let’s share our treasured memories of our time working with Julie and her
>> enormous impact on Chicago community gardens!
>> Looking Back on 2024, Thank You!
>> *Clockwise: a beautiful selection of plants from Resources' fall
>> distribution, a Garfield Park Garden Tour attendee at Kuumba Tre-Ahm Garden
>> in August, and Ms. Erma Purnell and Ms. Juline Clinton at the How To Keep
>> It Going event in May honoring our Legacy Gardeners.*
>>
>> While plans for 2025 are coming into sharper focus, we'd like to take a
>> moment to look back at 2024 to acknowledge all the work CCGA volunteers and
>> gardeners accomplished together. From the thousands of plants grown and
>> distributed by the Resources team to the Garfield Park Garden Tour, we
>> thank each and every one of you who lent your time and talents over the
>> last year! We're also incredibly grateful to all of the community gardeners
>> who participated in workshops, events and plant distributions! We are
>> honored to support your work in your community gardens which forms a vital
>> bridge between your community and the natural world. We’ve highlighted just
>> a few of the many incredible things that happened in community gardens last
>> year. Read our 2024 wrap-up and new year message on the website to learn
>> more!
>> Read 2024 Highlights
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=28381a87f5&e=10467e958f>
>> CCGA Legacy Gardeners Film Project
>>
>> The *Legacy Gardeners Film Project *was created to recognize those
>> lifetime gardeners who have made an impact through their leadership and
>> service. These gardeners have taught generations, showing us how to value
>> hard work, nurture a tiny seed, and feed the soil and our communities. CCGA
>> has been honored to create short films so far highlighting three amazing
>> legacy gardeners:
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=72e5b216b1&e=10467e958f>*Erma
>> Purnell
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=8997fbc490&e=10467e958f>,
>> Doretha Penn
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=c14f9e1982&e=10467e958f>
>> *and* Juline McClinton
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=8912492a1f&e=10467e958f>*.
>> This year, our goal is to learn about and record the personal histories of
>> more of our senior garden leaders.
>>
>> Do you know a Legacy Gardener? We want to tell their story! We aspire to
>> feature those gardeners who have worked the soil beside us and, over a
>> lifetime, have made an impact we can’t overlook. This is someone, still
>> living, who has built a legacy, not intentionally wanting recognition or
>> success, but someone who has given their energy and wisdom to fellow
>> gardeners and their community through leadership and service.
>>
>> Please forward the name of your nominee to the Education team
>> <education at chicagocommunitygardens.org?subject=Legacy%20Gardener%20Film%20Project>.
>> Using the criteria in the paragraph above, please share why you nominate
>> this person. You may give your name or remain anonymous. Nominations will
>> be considered once we receive the permission of the legacy gardener to be
>> videotaped.
>> Support the Legacy Gardener Film Project
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=fce518de95&e=10467e958f>
>> [image: Facebook]
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=17403e1be6&e=10467e958f>
>> [image: Instagram]
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=09163897eb&e=10467e958f>
>> [image: Website]
>> <https://chicagocommunitygardens.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7f2904daf2a26a891c68f8bb0&id=3493e04e07&e=10467e958f>
>> [image: Email] <info at chicagocommunitygardens.org>
>> *Copyright © 2025 Chicago Community Gardeners Association, All rights
>> reserved.*
>>
>> *Our mailing address is:*
>> 445 N. Sacramento Blvd, Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60612
>>
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-- 
JW Glass
Chicago, Illinois
312.498.3889  |  james.wesley.glass at gmail.com <jameswesleyglass at gmail.com>
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