The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
2007 saw range of community projects 'flourish and bloom'
Community enjoyed new garden, awaits expanded library
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008
Photo by Sue G. Collins
A peace pole at the Saline Community Garden, grown on land donated by Saline Area Schools and created by volunteer residents, reminds gardeners and visitors what's most important.
Some people have great ideas and the skills to organize, delegate and create.
And, some people have great ideas, abundant skills and actually make change happen.
In Saline during 2007, seeds of change were planted, blossoms bloomed and residents enjoyed a bounty of amazing growth and success in the community. Here's the pick of the crop:
Saline Community Garden
In February, Calesta and Chad Harrison and a small group of gardeners and givers broke ground for a new community garden, a gathering place for friends and neighbors to grow fruits and vegetables promoting healthy eating and exercise while celebrating the community's history, local arts and culture.
Each of the 22 beds, built and composted by volunteers were named after a historic Saline figure. Friends gathered around a bedecked gazebo, donated by Saline Schools, in May to dedicate the garden where potlucks, classes and workshops were held throughout the season. Already, six more beds, a pumpkin patch and a 50 ft. walking labyrinth are in place for 2008. The gardeners donated over 350 pounds of produce to Food Gatherers to help feed hungry families in the area last year.
Top Places
For the second time in three years, Saline ranked among CNN/Money's top 100 best places to live in the country. Editors say they focus on smaller places that offer the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a "real sense of community." Saline ranked No. 59.
Also, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital was recognized as one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation by Solucient, a provider of industry information and solutions. The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, financial performance, efficiency and growth in patient volume. The facility celebrated in August with a free community party.
History Honored
Carefully and accurately documenting the history of 41 homes along South Ann Arbor Street was a passion for a group of neighbors that used their homework over a four-year period to earn official historic designation. The committee included B.J. and Bill Bess, Terri Sibo-Koenig and Ron Koenig, Deborah and Steve Elmore, Chris and Kristine Frey, Laura and Michael Blackburn and Morey Church. The new Pride of Saline Award honored preservation and thoughtful renovations to the city's antique homes. In December, Sibo-Koenig and Calesta Harrison organized the first Homes for the Holidays Tour where nine beautifully decorated homes on the street were opened to the public.
More Groundbreaking
The Saline District Library will double in size, giving community members more books, music, movies, computers and reading and meeting rooms. Ground was broken on the Maple Rd site in May and the 100,000 item collection was moved to the temporary library site at Liberty School on Saline-Ann Arbor Rd. The new building is expected to open this Spring.
Hometown Downtown
The newly energized Downtown Merchants Association sponsored and enthusiastically supported Harvest of the Arts, Sportscars to Saline, Ladies' Night Out, Saline's Summerfest and a summer concert series showing their dedication to a growing downtown Saline.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380.
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