b'Try, Try AgainA Special ConnectionOnce again, the garden ended at the end of that Town Councilwoman Wanda Dash also volunteerssummer,butMichaelknewthathewouldstartin the garden. I want to be a part of anything that itagainwhenthetimewasright.In2019atthehelpsthecommunitygrow,sheexplained.She behest of then Eastover Mayor Geraldine Robinson,sayssheisimpressedthatpeoplefromothertowns Michaelbecamethetownsphotographer,startedaandlotsofchildrencomeouttovolunteer. Itisa newsletter, and created social media accounts for theteachablemomentforyoungpeople,astheyplant town of Eastover.With funding from the SC Artsseeds, pull weeds, and watch the garden grow. Susan CommissionsArtofCommunityRuralInitiative,Duplessis,CommunityArtsDevelopmentDirector MichaelcommissionedfivefortheSCArtsCommission artiststocapturethespiritexpressed her excitement about ofLowerRichlandthroughworkingwithMichaelonthe variousmediums.Theprojectcommunitygardenandarts wasasuccessandreignitedinitiative.Shebelievesthat hispassionforcommunityartandculturearenotjust gardening.So,in2021,hecontained in buildings, but are decidedtogiveanotherimportant to how we live, who try.WithfundingfromSCweare,whatwedo,whatwe ArtsCommissionsArtofvalueandwhatweseeasthe CommunityRuralInitiativebeauty around us in nature and and15intergenerationalinthingsthathumanhands volunteersfrom9yearsoldhavebuilt.Shedescribesthe to70,plantingbeganattheArts Commissions partnership Eastovercommunitygarden.withEastoverandotherrural ThefundingfromtheArtstownsaroundthestateas Commissionhelpedbuyexcellentexamplesoftherole suppliesandimplementartandpowerofartsandculture programminginthegardenFood is a universal languageto the lived experience.andtheEastoverarea.Thethat connects people. goalwastocreateanoutdoorTheEastovercommunity space for artistic programmingMichael Dantzler gardenissuchasuccessthat coupledwiththeEastoverRobbSchmittandKrystal communitygardendayeveryPrincewholiveinHopkins other Saturday. The current garden is located betweenare committed volunteers in the garden.Robb uses Eastovers Town Hall and the Library, near the Firehis equipment to till the soil and provides gardening Department.CurrentMayorPhillipGunterfullyadvice.HedescribesMichaelasaninspirational supportsthecommunitygardenandisaregularyoung man that people listen to and follow. I want volunteer. Wedonthavefreshproduceintheareato help him in whatever way I can.Krystal moved andresidentshavetodrive25milestothenearestfrom Arizona to Hopkins one year ago. She learned grocerystoretopurchasefreshproduce,MayoraboutthecommunitygardenfromtheLower Gunter explained. Describing himself as a hands-onRichland Facebook page and reports being drawn to person, Mayor Gunter says he likes to get out of theits purpose.With a degree in nutrition, Krystal says office and into the community and is excited aboutofferinghealthyfoodoptionsisimportanttoher, thegardenbecauseitservesatwo-foldpurpose:noting the Eastover community did not have access toprovidefreshproducetoEastoverresidentsandtofreshproduce. Thereissomethingspecialabout inspirethemtogetinvolvedinothercommunityvolunteering, she says and she encourages everyone activitiestohelpgrowthetown.Inadditiontoto volunteer their time and see their work in action supportfromtheSCArtsCommission,Mayorfor the good of the community. She believes there is Gunter says he is delighted that the US Departmenta special connection that you have to the community ofAgricultureisalsohelpingout,whichwillhelpwhen you watch the fruits of your labor grow into a them to expand the garden next year. beautiful garden. IMARA23'