28th Ward Alderman Lyda Krewson, left, is shown with CWEnder Ann Kittlaus at Sunday's get-together at the Delmar Sunflower + Project in the 51xx block of Delmar. This is the second year Lyda has rallied the troops to turn what had been neglected plots of ground into fields of gold.
About thirty people – most of whom had volunteered to help plant 15,000 sunflower seeds at the end of May – stopped by to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and cut a few sunflowers to take home.
After the sunflower seeds sprouted in June, volunteers returned to thin the seedlings to approximately 10,000 plants. When you stop by, and you should, you'll be enthralled by how a simple sunflower planted en masse, can transform a neglected site into an oasis of beauty and tranquility.
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Richard Reilly, above, Energy Programs Manager of the Missouri Botanical Garden and co-founder of the Sunflower + Project STL, is also an organizer of the Delmar Sunflower + Project.
One young guest brought two vehicles across the alley from Washington Place, above.
STL Villagers Mary Lee Pankoff, Sondra Bertz and Sondra's daughter Lisa Hansen, above, travelled across the garden very slowly. Ironically, Sondra tore her meniscus while accompanying Mary Lee to a doctor's appointment at BJC. That's taking friendship to a whole new level.
28th Ward Committeewoman Gail Farwell (not pictured) was there with her niece, Cari, shown above.
CWEnder Nancy Culbert is pictured above.
When Lyda sent out the email invitation to Sunday's gathering, she asked for donations for the project. Almost immediately, she raised an additional $1,100 for expenses related to the maintenance of the garden, including site preparation, planting, and lawn cutting. If you'd like to help, here is the link.
Thanks to Lyda Krewson and her team of advisors for providing an opportunity for volunteers and donors to make a difference on a street that has been the subject of controversy over the years. The Third Degree Glass Factory more than started the ball rolling, and now, something as simple as planting sunflowers demonstrate that with leadership and a good cause, the neighborhood is more than willing to pitch in.