MITCHELL ADVOCATE Siblings Caroline and James Gilbert, of Mitchell, “devour” their another success and thanks to all who had any ii TASTY SUMMER “TREATS?” Mitchell company helps get new community garden off the ground ANDY BADER The community at large will bene- fit this fall from locally-grown pro- duceintwolocationsin West Perth. Sister companies Faddis Con- crete, of Mitchell; and Design Con- rth, have five staff members volunteering to plant, oregano and one sunflower that is struggling since its planted in shade. (Dublin, in fact, has two sunflowers). Chair of the company’s Garden Committee, Fournier has recruit- ed other Faddis employes such as Justin Raymer, Peter Bisback, Stewart East and Eric Barbosa to He Rea BN io p Yommunity duce has already been taken and enjoyed not only by Faddis em- ployees, but for the community's use as we! “This is a community effort and we like to give back,” Raymer said. Peopleare encouraged tovisit the gardenandenjoyits bounty onceits ready for harvest, he added. The West Perth Public Library icipality are al: Eten 14 One with nine planter beds can be foundattheend i also helps maintain the Mitchell di she lives nearby Conservation Authority (UTRCA), while an even larger one, with dou- bletheplanterbeds, canbe foundat the end of Raglan Street in Dublin on property owned by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority aia Perth Councillor Andrew 7s is,said “Employee morale and cost of living and all the rest of that, as a new councillor I felt I should try and do something about that,” Fournier said, saying he regular- ly brought in fresh vegetables to colleagues at his workplace last summer. This year, after being in touch with the UTRCA and ABCA, he and the iso partners in the initiative, Fourni- oted. Faddis Concrete Products (long- time Mitchell residents will know the company as Durisol Materials, located at 51 Arthur Street) has been a community partner for decades, playing a vital role in the Mitchell and Seaforth communi- ties and employing generations of local team members. “This connection fuels our un- he began the initiative a year ago at adifferent location in Mitchell, tt h hopefully grow more produce to 7 wavering to volun- teerismand philanthropy, inspiring More suitable, quiet spot in both wards this year to plant a variety of vegetables that include char, kale, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, eggplant, basil, he plots couldb largerif all goes well... The plantings were alittle later than ideal this year, butthesquir- rels have found the gardén plots: and are pleased. Some fresh pro~ to th ies we leep roots in,” a Faddis statement read. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 = rs ch a | [ aie Lauren Ward proudly holds up her two tasty treats she created - they almost look real, don't they? - during the final week of the Summer Fun program operated by the West Perth Public Library. Sadly, the program's conclusion means the end of summer, but the start of another school year is here! Pi With one of nine community plots in the foreground, employees and volun- teers with Faddis Concrete in Mitchell show off their community vegetable garden at the end of Georgina Street in Mitchell last week. Left to right are Peter Bisback, Andrew Fournier with son Alex, Justin Raymer, Judith and Helen Fournier, Stewart East and Rosemary MacDougald. A larger garden is also growing in Dublin off Raglan Street, and the group, their sister com ny Design Concrete'inc. in Seaforth, and Upper Thames River Conservation safety, inclusion and belonging, and sustainability, which not only strengthen our organization but also ensure we remain a trusted partner in the communities we serve and within the construction industry.” Authority along with the West Perth Public Library are working jointly to provide locally grown produce this fall. anpy BADER a er’s three children also assisting at the time of planting and have a sense of pride in what has grown there, too. se gardens not only foster } he: a sense of camaraderie but also provide fresh produce for both our ’s continued growth and resiliency is our unwavering commitment to core values like health and build the beds including the soil, mulch, pre-grown plants and pe- rimeter railroad ties, with Fourni- commu- nity to enjoy, reinforcing our com- mitment to local well-being and sustainability,” Faddis said.