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In the community, making a difference

Garden for victory

“Of course, you know this means war!”

Groucho Marx, “Duck Soup” (1933)

Politicians and pundits realize that metaphors of anger and frustration get more recognition than expressions of assurance and achievement. For the well-being of society, there is need to end declaring war and find ways to claim victory.

The “War on Poverty” has been waged since 1964, “War on Drugs” since 1971 and the “War on Terror” since 2001. All three are characterized by having an indistinguishable enemy, endless duration and no defined criteria for resolution. “In the mouths of politicians, metaphor subtly nudges public opinion, and once it has us in its grasp, it never lets us go, and we never forget it.” – James Geary, author.

It seems logical that the references to conflict may be contributing to the lack of confidence in government. The Pew Research Center reported on May 3, 2017 in an article “Public Trust in Government Remains Near Historic Lows” that 22 percent are angry with government, 55 percent frustrated and 19 percent content. It hasn’t always been so. When the survey was first taken in 1958 trust in government was over 70 percent. The nation has been at war before and public officials used programs and positive promotions to mobilize people to action.

The metaphor and idea of a Victory Garden was germinated at the time of World War I, the “War to End All Wars.” Quantities of food had to be shipped to Belgium and Northern France to avert massive starvation, a relief effort coordinated by Herbert Hoover. To support and replenish food supplies domestically, Charles L. Pack chaired the National War Garden Commission which resulted in the creation of 3 million new gardens. The same effort was encouraged in World War II with the planting of 20 million gardens sufficient to supply 40 percent of the population’s vegetable needs.

For over 50 years, the Alpena Garden Club has kept the spirit of victory gardening by encouraging and engaging people in the activity. The organization provides support for the community by maintaining gardens throughout the community, library, senior center, public safety building, with special purpose rain and butterfly gardens. Several churches, organizations and individuals have attempted to implement community vegetable gardening.

Gardening is utilitarian in purpose, putting affordable food on the table. The increased availability of produce in the supermarket has transformed gardening from necessity to recreation. The website, Art of Manliness, points out that working in the garden is good physical and mental exercise. Bending and stretching tones the body, while the mind is tuned by planning and thoughtful execution. Many gardeners find it therapeutic.

Nelson Mandela, a prisoner for 27 years and allowed only one visitor and six letters a year, survived to become the leader of South Africa. He credits gardening for giving him resolve.

“In some ways, I saw the garden as a metaphor for certain aspects of my life. A leader must also tend his garden; he, too, plants seeds, and then watches, cultivates and harvests the results. Like the gardener, a leader must take responsibility for what he cultivates; he must mind his work, try to repel enemies, preserve what can be preserved, and eliminate what cannot succeed.”

Nelson Mandela, “Long Walk to Freedom”

Tom Brindley can be reached via email at bindletom@hotmail.com.

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