“It’s cantaloupe,” corrected his lima-bean-growing classmate.

The third-graders, the McDaniel College Department of Social Work and the Residences at Hampstead School were honored June 6 with awards from Take Pride in America for creating the garden uniting seniors and children. Additionally, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski awarded Senatorial certificates to McDaniel College and Hampstead Elementary.

The third graders from Hampstead Elementary School squinted and squirmed in the sun as they sat on the grass with their seedlings before a dirt-packed garden plot outside the Residences of Hampstead School, a senior-living community.

“The America the Beautiful Fund was started for projects just like this,” Nanine Bilski, president of America the Beautiful Fund, told the crowd of seniors, children and teachers. “Everything came together because you love this town and you love America.”

Together, seniors and children planted the seedlings, which will be tended by North Carroll High School students and harvested for the residents. Extras will be donated to local food banks.

“This garden brings so much to the residents and community,” said Henry Reiff, McDaniel dean of student academic life, who served as master of ceremonies. “It brings beauty, sustenance and life.”

The Hampstead School, built in 1919 and on the National Register of Historic Places, was converted to a senior-living community through a grant from Interfaith Housing Alliance, a non-profit that builds affordable housing. Known as The Residences at the Hampstead School, it is home to more than 100 seniors.

“This is a story about a small town at its very best and what happens when we work together,” said Jim Upchurch, president of Interfaith Housing Alliance.

The volunteer project has its roots in a Social Work class at McDaniel College. A group of students, including Deborah Goff '07, Krystal Morea '08, Amy Sites '07 and Jessica Van '07, conceived of a plan to engage seniors at the Residences at the Hampstead School in a variety of programs from computer classes to aerobic workouts. The garden, bringing together seniors and students while benefiting the environment, is one of the projects.

“I think the best thing is that it unites the young and old,” said resident Kay Duella.

After the ceremony, students filed into the Residences of Hampstead School for their first Adopt-A-Grandparent Day. They entertained seniors by performing short plays in the lounge and dining room. The residents, wearing Take Pride in America T-shirts, applauded enthusiastically. As they filed out of the school, the students’ conversations bubbled with excitement.

“This is something these kids are going to remember for the rest of their lives,” said third-grade teacher Teresa McCulloh.

Photo Essay

To read the Take Pride in America article about the event, click here:
http://www.takepride.gov/volunteer/spotlights_continued.cfm

To read the Baltimore Sun article about the event, click here:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.
garden11jun11,0,5781215.story?coll=bal-local-carroll