Making a Stink about Climate Change

On the road to garlic sustainability!

Around 50 residents of the South Shore began their Thanksgiving Sunday festivities by attending Making a Stink about Climate Change, sponsored by South Shore 350 and held at the Hodge Podge Community Garden in Bridgewater. MC’ed by Broad Cove resident and municipal councilor Eric Hustvedt, the event included an explanation by Brian Braganza (Auburdale) of the science behind 350 and Susan Robertson (Mahone Bay) urging participants to sign the “garlicgrams” to be sent to federal and provincial government representatives.

Rousing entertainment was provided through song by the “Garlic Grannies”, [Winnifred McCarthy (Bridgewater), Marion Moore (Dayspring), Peggy Graham (Dayspring), Barbara Shaw (Auburdale), Barb Carthew (Rose Bay), and Phyllis Price (Broad Cove)] and both passionate and humourous garlic poems recited by Jane Morrell (Farmington).

The event wrapped up with planting a bed of garlic and distribution of garlic for those in attendance to plant at home, with “The Garlic Times” available for those who wanted more information on the ins and outs of garlic.) If you missed getting a copy, email southshore350@gmail.com. A special Thanksgiving treat at the end of Making a Stink was distribution of beautiful garden produce from the farm of Ray Moore (Bayport), one of the event organizers.

While Thanksgiving Day obligations prevented some people from attending Making a Stink, the event was replicated in various forms around the South Shore. Earlier in the week, students at Pentz Elementary School and Parkview Education Centre planted garlic in their school gardens. In Port Mouton a minister picked up on the theme and gave garlic away at her Thanksgiving Day service. Many other individuals reported they were planting garlic, either for the first time, or in greater abundance than usual, thanks to the vision of making the South Shore sustainable in garlic.

South Shore 350 expresses thanks to the Community Garden for hosting the planting and to the following people for providing garlic: Brian Braganza and Barbara Shaw, Frank Fawson, Camelia Freiberg, Ray Moore, Phyllis Price and Michael Wolter.

Special thanks to Jake and Melissa Wentzell for the loan of their tent, and for the photo taking prowess and energy of Ellen Agger and Leon DeVreede.

To see South Shore 350’s Making A Stink Web Album visit http://picasaweb.google.com/leondevreede/SouthShore350GlobalWorkParty101...

========================================================

UPDATE September 30!

Just a bit over a week away. Momentum is building! We hear that some schools are going to be involved, either by planting garlic in their school garden, or through school's environment clubs. People are RSVPing on our site. (Have you?) The Garlic Grannies are reheasing! How are YOU going to be involved?

======================================================================

In Nova Scotia most garlic in grocery stores comes from China, despite the fact that garlic grows very well in our climate. At ten o’clock on 10-10-10, as part of an international action on climate change, South Shore 350 will plant a bed of garlic at the Hodge Podge Community Garden in Bridgewater. The 45 minute event ( ie. 10-10:45 AM) ) will be a demonstration of how growing "the stinking rose" can be a positive move towards community sustainability at the same time as reducing carbon emissions. Garlic will be celebrated in poetry and song, and there's a rumour that Queen Garlic (and maybe a vampire or two) may make an appearance. Info on garlic folklore, growing tips and recipes will be added to the stew. A giant "garlicgram" will be signed by attendees and sent later sent to politicians urging decisive action on climate change. The first 50 attendees will receive two heads of garlic to plant at home.

Garlic grown from this year's planting will be used to promote further "garlic sustainability" in 2011.

If you're unable to come to the event, please support the project by planting an extra row in your own garden. Send us a photo and we'll include this in the "Making a Stink" publicity."

This is a followup action to the 350 event held in Bridgewater last year. See more at www.350.org/southshore350

For more information, email southshore350@gmail.com