Tag Archives: Laura Washington

Apr 17 2017

ArtFusion 19464 Announces Addition Of New Staff

Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 is proud to announce that Laura Cousins-Washington has joined their staff as Development Coordinator of the Beech Street Factory Community Programs. As Development Coordinator, Washington is responsible for identifying and engaging the nonprofit organization’s local business and community partners, members and their families, and other funders and constituents to build and maintain a broad and growing base of annual support, grant funding, and endowment funding.

Executive Director and Co-Founder Erika-Hornburg Cooper said: “We are so happy to welcome Laura officially as staff. We know she will have a big impact on our future, helping ArtFusion 19464 to grow and transition our educational programming to a new facility in the Beech St. Factory.”

Previously Laura Cousins-Washington worked as Garden Manager of MOSAIC Community Land Trust Community Gardens, located in the Borough of Pottstown, for the past four years. Her goal at MOSAIC was to engage families, volunteers and supporters in order to spread the word about gardening, fitness, healthy eating and healthy lifestyles choices. Washington has overseen the development of two community gardens located on Chestnut Street and one permaculture garden located on Walnut Street. She is also a personal fitness trainer at Pottstown Athletic Club and Body Go Fitness and works as the coordinator for Schuylkill River Athletics.  Washington has a good understanding the needs of the community as it relates to empowering individuals. Washington coaches children and adults of all ages throughout the year in personal fitness, gardening/nutrition and in making healthier, long-term behavior changes.

ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion 19464’s gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items.  The gallery is open Wednesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. Classes do run outside of gallery hours.

Oct 21 2016

Mosaic Community Gardens News

Mosaic Community Gardens are always “popping up” with opportunities to become a member or join the Community Land Trust board.

Join us for a social evening at our newest garden location, Elizabeth B. Barth Elementary School, to find out more about the organization or to reserve your garden bed for the 2017 growing season.  The FREE evening social takes place on Friday, October 28 from 5-7 PM. We will be inside the school – meals will be served and information offered!  Please plan to join us!

Contact our garden manager at 484-300-2410 if you have any questions or need additional information.

Also, our next workshop is in the “works”, please be on the lookout for more details in an upcoming email, Facebook post and on our website!

Apr 22 2016

MOSAIC GARDEN NEWS AND UPDATES

Happy Earth Day to all of our supporters, gardeners, volunteers and to those who care about gardens (and our planet)!

 
Memberships are NOW Due!
 
If you have not done so already, please take a few moments to fill out a membership packet and send your membership fee sooner than later so you can start growing at the gardens on Opening Day(s)!   2016-garden-plot-registration, 2016-mosaic-membership-application, clt-demographic-survey-individuals-1-19-16 (1)
 
…Already Completed Your Paperwork?…
 
To those who have completed all of the necessary documents and paid the membership fees, WE THANK YOU!  Garden bed location and plot assignments will be sent out no later than Thursday, May 12, 2016.  This will allow for our “later-bloomers” to sign up and be added to the plot assignment list. Please be patient as we want as many families as possible to be a part of the gardens and the beginning process of growing great garden goodies…mmmm, we can almost taste the tomatoes!
 
Additional Community Garden Details and Opening Dates
 
A “blueprint” of the garden will be sent to every gardener providing a layout of the land and the location of everyone’s specific garden plot(s).  Each plot will be numbered and last name written on the assigned plot accordingly.  A gardener’s guide will be included in the email for your review in order to learn more about the gardens prior to opening day.
 
Speaking of opening day…
 
Our first planting days are Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Yippee! 
 
Each day, we will provide a brief tour at each garden location, learn how to open and close the gardens each visit, discuss the importance of your log entries each time you visit the garden and harvest vegetables, resolve any incomplete membership packets and answer any questions you may have about gardening.  At that point, it will be TIME TO PLANT!
 
Plants and seeds will be provided to each gardener and support will be offered in order for you and your neighbors to have your best growing season yet!
 
Composting Workshop Rescheduled
 
Our next garden workshop, “Breaking Down: Composting Basics” scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, has been RESCHEDULED – Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the 615 Chestnut Street Community Gardens from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
 

Our Home Garden Contest is Also Near – Enter Today!

 

Home Garden Contest

Mosaic’s Annual Home Garden Contest is underway!  Contest details, categories and a list of awesome prizes can be viewed athttp://www.homegardencontest.com/. This year, you can enter the contest online!  Kudos, to The Pottstown Mercury Fit for Life, the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation, Colonial Garden, Pine Hill Tree Farms, Achin’ Bank, the Pottstown Garden Club and others for your support!

Another Note of Thanks!

Mosaic wants to also thank Genesis Housing, Pottstown School District, XL Insurance, our private supporters and other volunteers for your continued support of our community garden and land trust initiatives!

Donating Made Easy – Use AmazonSmile

Don’t forget, 

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.  Preservation Pottstown (our 501c3 registered name, also known as Mosaic CLT) is now available as your charitable organization on Amazon Smile!  The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges. Use smile.amazon.com and choose Preservation Pottstown as your designated non-profit organization you wish to donate to!

 
‘Nough Said…for now.  Visit our Facebook page to take a look at all of our recent activity buzzin’ around our community gardens over the past few weeks!  Share your love of the gardens by sharing our posts on Facebook with all of your friends and family!
 
HAPPY EARTH DAY! – now get out there and plant a tree, or a bean plant, or an herb, or a vegetable, or a…..you get the idea! 🙂
Apr 9 2016

MOSAIC Community Gardens Upcoming Workshops

Tuesday, April 12 6-7 PM at the 423 Garden location 
Mulch, No Till, Just Thrill Gardening – Learn how to use everyday household items such as newspaper or cardboard as mulch and the great benefits in doing so.
 
Tuesday, April 26 6-7 PM at the 615 Garden location
Breaking Down Composting Basics – Learn how to compost on a large and small scale and learn how to tell when the compost is ready to use.

Please reply to wash5000@msn.com if you are planning to attend either of the two absolutely-FREE workshops.  Bring the kids and other family members, you are sure to have a fun, informative time! 

Mar 24 2016

April 15 Rock The Block‏ In Pottstown Event

On Friday April 15, 2016, Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County is hosting Rock the Block Pottstown…an effort to help fix up properties along the 300 and 400 blocks of Beech, Walnut and Chestnut Streets.

Habitat for Humanity is offering 20 tables to area organizations to highlight their initiatives, hand out brochures and connect with area residents.  Tables will be set up from approximately 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity and Rock the Block: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20160224/video-groundwork-laid-for-pottstowns-rock-the-block-project

Feb 29 2016

Mosaic Gardens Call For Committee Members & Volunteers!‏

Happy Leap Year 2016!

With a very busy garden season ahead, Mosaic is going all out in its quest to recruit garden committee members and volunteers!  Meetings will be held once per month, beginning mid-March (day and time TBD).

Here’s what we have in store for the 2016 season and as a garden committee member/volunteer, here is what you can be a part of and the great part about it is that there is NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.  Our experienced committee members will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to help others:

Mosaic is building its newest community garden at Barth Elementary School located on the west side of Pottstown – There will be approximately 20 additional garden beds available for families in the Pottstown area to learn, grow and enjoy more fresh produce at a fraction of the cost in local grocery stores!  There will also be several beds to be used as an educational tool for the students who attend the school!  We need your support in the following areas:

  • Disseminating information about the gardens to the families who live within walking distance of the school located at 467 West Walnut (late-March).  Information to include membership packet, construction timeline and committee contact information.
  • Assistance in recruiting volunteers (families, school students, churches and corporate volunteers) to lay top soil and mulch, assist with building a shed and to create the 20+ garden beds being built (early-April).
  • Speakers and organizers needed for information sessions, workshops and summer activities.  Information sessions will take place in April, workshops and summer activities will be scheduled throughout the entire growing season (May-October).

Mosaic’s two downtown community gardens and its permaculture garden will be up an running, providing more opportunities to educate and support families than ever – Our existing 50+ garden beds will be available to families again this year for planting more, learning more and enjoying more of the produce grown each year!  We are looking to provide families with support and additional education in order to become the great gardeners they dream of being! 

  • Assistance in recruiting volunteers (families, school students, churches and corporate volunteers) to lay top soil and/or mulch throughout the already established garden beds and perimeter beds (early-April).
  • Turn compost in order to sift out and lay the ready-to-use compost and to aerate other compost from last season at each of the three garden locations (late-April).
  • Speakers and organizers needed for information sessions, workshops and summer activities.  Information sessions will take place in April, workshops and summer activities will be scheduled throughout the entire growing season (May-October).
  • Produce Cart – We are in need of a few volunteers to run with our produce cart this summer!  Join  this fun activity happening several days throughout the growing season! The produce cart allows us to sell any garden surplus vegetables donated back to the gardens, to teach youth members how to build a business selling produce on a small scale and gives the garden an opportunity to provide area residents with information regarding their health and wellness.

There are plenty great opportunities available for all skill-sets and areas of interest!  Please consider joining our community garden committee or signing up for one or two of our much needed volunteer days!

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? – you ask?  A special gift pack is given to everyone who turns out to be an awesome facilitator, garden committee member or a volunteer event organizer this season! Check it out:

Each new garden committee member who attends 90% of our meetings during the growing season and signs up to support/organize at least two volunteer opportunities will receive a Mosaic Community Gardens T-shirt of their choice, a Mosaic Community Gardens apron, standard tote bag and a beautiful Mosaic mug along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each volunteer who organizes and rallies a troop of volunteers that provide support in the gardens for one day or more will receive a Mosaic t-shirt, the jumbo Mosaic Community Gardens Garden Ambassador tote bag and a Mosaic CLT car magnet along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each volunteer who facilitates one informational session or workshop will receive a Mosaic T-shirt and tote bag along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Each person who assists/supports our summer programming for at least 6 of each 2-hour session during the growing season will receive a t-shirt, gardening apron, a JUMBO tote bag along with a chance to win a free Mosaic CLT garden membership at the garden location of their choice for the 2017 growing season!

Our need for additional committee members and volunteers has never been greater, the benefits and rewards have never been better!

Please sign up to support the “growth” of the Mosaic Community Land Trust Community Gardens today!

It’s EASY!  Simply reply to this email or visit our Facebook or website to sign up or to receive additional information regarding all of the opportunities TODAY!

See Ya’ at the Gardens,

MOSAIC CLT

Aug 19 2015

Mosaic Community Gardens Are THRIVING!‏

teacher-lauraPOTTSTOWN, PA – This Saturday (August 22), Mosaic will roll out its produce stand…offering up some of the season’s best vegetables!  Tomatoes, potatoes, squash, pepper (sweet and hot), eggplant and sweet potatoes will be offered from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.  We will have other surprise offerings for sale on the stand that afternoon.  Please plan to pay us a visit before running your errands or buying from a big chain superstore!

That said, we need donations from gardeners…if you have more produce than you can pick (or eat) please let us know.  We will gladly accept your donations to sell on our produce cart this Saturday!  We will be at the gardens throughout Friday afternoon harvesting for weekend sales.  Please email me if you would like to donate vegetables (grown at your home or the community gardens) to a worthy cause!

In partnership with National Penn Bank and Genesis Housing, Mosaic is set to host another Movie Night at the Chestnut Street Park! KOOKOO the Cartoon Magician will begin the event with a magic show at 7:30 PM that day!  We have a great night planned and EVERYONE is invited!

Mosaic’s Summer Enrichment Program ended with a bang!

80 students ranging from 5-17 years old attended camp and learned more about gardening, nutrition, arts/culture, music and physical activity as each relates to different regions of the world.  In each weekly program, we chose age-appropriate instruction in African-American, Latin, Native American and Caribbean cultures.  The children retained more information from week to week using this well-rounded approach to learning.  They formed “families” and made delicious meals together, played musical instruments some had never seen or played before, harvested items from the gardens that related to the week’s teaching and made instruments specific to each culture using recycled materials.

The summer program ended with an appreciation ice cream social at the high school to celebrate their volunteer efforts at each of the gardens and the local park, and a field trip to the Althouse Arboretum for the younger students was provided…the campers went on an hour-long trail walk/scavenger hunt while learning the reason why arboretums exist.  Some of the students said that having an arboretum in our own back yards is super-cool!

It was a great summer, thanks to all those who volunteered during the program!  A special thanks to our partners and supporters, ArtFusion, Olivet’s Boys and Girls Club, STRIVE Initiative, the Pottstown Athletic Club, Genesis Housing and Penn National Bank!

Mosaic is looking to celebrate the fall season by hosting a fall cleanup potluck social at the gardens!  We will be looking for families to come out, clean up and prepare our gardens for the winter season.  Create your best potluck recipe for this special event! “Bee” on the look-out for more information in an upcoming email…coming in September!

Mar 18 2015

Mosaic Community Land Trust Community Gardens 3rd Annual Garden Contest

Calling all gardeners!

Mosaic Community Land Trust Community Gardens is hosting its 3rd Annual Garden Contest!

This year, the contest is BIGGER and BETTER than ever, offering up more than $2,500 is cash prizes and other gifts!  More categories = more chances to take home a top prize!  Newly added is our Neighborhood category where three or more houses can work on a garden project together for a change to win up to $800!  And our Junior Gardener category (for entrants under 18 years old), giving them a chance to win up to $100 cash!

And best of all, we are pleased to announce that this year’s contest is open to all borough residents! Anyone living in the Borough of Pottstown can enter for a chance to win BIG!

Check out the Garden Contest Flyer and the Registration Form for more information.

14-0332 PAHWF HomeGardenContest_RegForm_31115WKG, 14-0332 PAHWF HomeGardenContest_Flyer_31115

A warm thanks to our sponsors, including Dick and Sally Heylmun of Pine Hill Tree Farms, Colonial Gardens and the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation!

Jul 21 2014

Kids Dice Vegetables For Healthy Pizzas And Learn About Nutrition

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — Kid chefs learned that a healthy twist on a traditionally baked dish was surprisingly tasty.

Children of the Oliviet Boys and Girls Club made no-bake pizzas with garden fresh vegetables last week at the Ricketts Community Center.

The youth cooking class is part of a summer nutritional program at the club.

Kristin Robinson, nutrition major at the University of Pittsburgh, is working alongside MOSAIC garden manager Laura Washington this summer to teach the kids about healthy eating.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20140721/kids-dice-vegetables-for-healthy-pizzas-and-learn-about-nutrition

Jul 17 2014

Eat Fresh At Saturday’s MOSAIC Community Garden Party In Pottstown

teacher-lauraPOTTSTOWN, PA — The local community garden will show how easy vegetable crops can go from the ground to the dining table.

The MOSAIC Land Trust is hosting a garden party at their new 615 Chestnut St. community garden on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.

The party will include music, resources on healthy living and fresh vegetables from the garden.

“We are going to do a healthy garden to grill event,” said Laura Washington, garden manager.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20140716/eat-fresh-at-saturdays-community-garden-party-in-pottstown

Apr 29 2014

MOSAIC COMMUNITY LAND TRUST Home Garden Contest

MOSAIC Community Land Trust

Calling All Pottstown Homeowners and Residents of Rental Properties! Enhance the appearance of your home and neighborhood with a beautiful garden or by having decorative containers or window boxes of flowers and plants for a chance to win a cash prize! Eligible contestants include all Pottstown residence located within the area bordered by North Charlotte St. on the west, North Adams Street on the east, East High Street on the south and Beech Street on the north.
Now…Let’s Get Growing!

Click here to get all the details and get entry form:  MOSAIC Contest Flyer 2014

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Apr 29 2014

Container Gardens Spring Up In Pottstown, Great Alternative For Beginners

ImageProxy (1)POTTSTOWN — The sun is shining on some days and the rain is pouring on others, which makes it the season of gardening.

Although it’s the season to grow, gardening can seem intimidating for people who’ve never done it before.

Garden manager Laura Washington of the MOSAIC Pottstown Community Gardens said container gardening is a great option for beginners.

“It allows for gardeners to contain their garden in a small space,” she said.

Container gardening is also preferable for people with limitations such as arthritis in their knees, Washington said. People can place their carton on a stool or tabletop and work sitting down, she said.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20140429/container-gardens-spring-up-in-pottstown-great-alternative-for-beginners

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Mar 6 2014

Upcoming Mosaic Community Land Trust Events

These events are listed on the monthly activity calendars found on the Calendars/Documents/Forms page on their website. This post is providing detailed information on each event.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014 – 5:15 – 8:00 PM

Brookside County Club

850 N. Adams Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

“March into Healthy Eating” Event

The Healthy Woman program at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center will hold a “March into Healthy Eating” event on Wednesday, March 12th at Brookside Country Club from 5:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. This event will feature an informative evening of food, facts, and fun ways to eat green. Tickets are priced at $15 per person.

Scott Bailey, Director of Food and Nutritional Services at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center will present “30 Days to Green Your Diet,” and the benefits of adding something green to every meal. In addition, Laura Washington who represents the MOSAIC Community Land Trust Gardens in Pottstown, will present the benefits of buying local and green.

For more information or to register, visit the HEALTHY WOMAN EVENTS page or call (610) 327-7699.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014 – 6:00 – 7:30 PM

MOSAIC Community Land Trust

10 S Hanover Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

Board Meeting

Open to those who wish to learn more or share ideas regarding the MOSAIC Community Land Trust and the Community Gardens in our area.

Please send an email using the “contact us” page on our website to let us know of your plans to attend the meeting: mosaicclt.org

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Saturday, March 29, 2014 – 5:00 – 8:00 PM

MOSAIC Community Land Trust

10 S Hanover Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

Community Garden Social

Please plan to attend this fun and educational event! We will uncover what it is like to be on the land trust board, or a member of one of the MOSAIC’s productive committees!  If you have ever considered volunteering for a non-profit now is the time! There are great things happening (large and small) by way of the land trust that have long-lasting, positive impacts in our community!

Make plans to attend the Social to find out more about the amazing opportunities!

Please send an email using the “contact us” page on our website to let us know of your plans to attend the social: mosaicclt.org

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Friday, April 22, 2014 – 6:00 PM

Pottstown Public Library

500 E High Street

Pottstown, PA 19464

Small Space Gardening Workshop

Learn the basics in household gardening and fresh ideas on how to maximize your small garden space to reap a hearty and healthy harvest through this interactive workshop!

Make plans to ATTEND this FREE event!

Please send an email using the “contact us” page on our website to let us know of your plans to attend the social: mosaicclt.org

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Feb 28 2014

Organic Gardending Worshops To Be Held In Pottstown

laura-washingtonLaura Washington, Garden Manager for the Mosaic Community Land Trust in Pottstown will hold two organic gardening worships:

  • April 11, 2014 at 10:30am – Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center, 288 Moser Rd, Pottstown

  • April 22, 2014 at 6:00pm – Pottstown Regional Public Library; 500 E. High Street, Pottstown

These free workshops are presented by the TCN Environmental Health and Safety Committee.

To register call 610-705-3301, Ext 2

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Dec 14 2013

Christmas Tree Sales Still Going On At The Mosaic Garden In Pottstown!

The best selection of trees are still available for purchase at the MOSAIC Community Garden! Prices range from $20-$40. Garden committee members are available to assist you with the purchase of your tree by appointment all weekend long! A beautiful, locally-grown tree it right at your fingertips! Please take advantage of this great offer. Contact Laura Washington at (484) 300-2410 to arrange an appointment or to find out more!

Sep 6 2013

Pottstown’s Mosaic Community Garden To Open Produce And Information Stand

cropped-20130727_104625.jpgWe are happy to announce the opening day of our Produce and Information Stand!

The children of our youth program and several volunteers had a hand in tending the earth and growing veggies.  Earlier this summer, they diligently worked to build the stand to bring the “fruits of their labor” to your table!!

On September 7th the kids and volunteers will staff the Produce Stand to sell fresh produce, herbs, local peaches and other healthy goodies, each Saturday morning from 9:30 AM – 12 noon, through September 28th, 2013.

In addition, we will have information regarding organic gardening and other resources to find out more about our local CSAs and organic grocery stores.  Lastly, the public can learn more about what they can do to ensure every family has access to healthier food options in our area.

Look for the Produce and Information Stand in front of the gardens at 423 Chestnut Street in Pottstown, (you canʼt miss us)!!

Priced right for you, all of the proceeds from the produce stand will enable MOSAIC to continue to develop workshops and other fun, educational activities for young and old alike; while educating individuals in food justice and security.  All the while, the young farmers will be learning sales skills, marketing and public relations.

Now, for a special thanks to our sponsor: Global Advanced Metals of Boyertown, for their generous donation and support.  Global Advanced Metals processes a metal called “tantalum,” found in Australia.  Their core values of safety, health and environmental excellence guide the work that they do and dovetails nicely with our healthy outlook too!!

Local honey will be available for purchase as well.  The garden has its own bee hive for pollination, tended by Lee Mauger.

Laura Washington, Gardens Manager