<!–
–>
After the tragic death of John Paul Endicott, family and friends were left wondering how best to honor his memory and continue his legacy of helping those less fortunate.
The results of their efforts have grown into something you can really sink your teeth into.
The second annual Garlic in the Garden Festival is being held Sept. 23, John Paul’s birthday, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the community garden at Temple University Ambler. The event is open to the public for $5 with a perishable or non perishable donation, or $10 without a donation. The festival promises a garlic cook-off competition, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, gardening tips, community pot luck, donated food collections, games and much more.
Judy Endicott, John Paul’s mother, said until his untimely death while on his way to work in July 2010, her son was heavily involved in the creation of a garden at Temple that would allow local food banks to receive fresh produce.
Seeking a master’s degree in Horticultural Landscape Architecture, Endicott traveled the world and soon realized the strong need to promote greener, organic foods and to “be our brother’s keeper,” by providing produce to those less fortunate, his mother said.
He soon partnered with the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard and started providing fresh produce to give to for those in need. Additionally, he was in the beginning stages of getting local farmers to donate extra harvest to other local food banks. Unfortunately, he was never able to see this become a reality, after his motor scooter was struck by an SUV in Philadelphia on his way to work, killing the 31-year-old.
After his death, Judy said, family and friends wanted to keep his garden going and expand the amount of food crops available.
Two years later, the garden is thriving at Temple’s campus and this year’s festival will hold a dedication ceremony of a hops trellis in John Paul’s name. The idea for the trellis came from John Paul’s brother Daniel, an avid beer brewer in Ambler. The trellis was designed by Warren Holzman, a blacksmith who took two weeks to build the trellis.
Judy said the garden wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Eva Mondheim, a favorite professor of John Paul’s, who was “instrumental in continuing the mission.” She said Mondheim teaches food crop classes at Temple, and beginning in the spring semester each year, students start planting and caring for all of the garden’s crops as part of their coursework. Students plant the garden and maintain it throughout the semester, after which volunteers add to it and further harvest the crops.
Additionally, Endicott said the garden is doing so well, they have been able to create a summer intern position for a Temple Ambler student who embraces the mission of the garden and is willing to take on the responsibilities of tending to the garden. Continued…
- 1
- 2
- See Full Story
Speak Your Mind