Gardening is for everyone. It is a good habit and a good hobby.

At Cool Community Gardens, our goal is to see everyone in Austin and Mower County who has a desire or a need, to eat healthy, locally grown food at most meals. Anyone can grow a portion of their groceries. We encourage adults, school-age children with their families, clubs and organizations to grow food for themselves plus a little more to share. It is more fun to garden as a team! Join our newsletter list to find out about workshops, growing tips, food preservation, recipes and more at GardenNetwork2011@gmail.com

Our purpose is to enable more people to have access to healthy local food through vegetable gardening. Food growing is a fun and healthy habit. Our vision is to see more neighborhoods come together and develop their own community garden plot. Contact us if you have suitable land to support a few families in a community garden.

We are offering garden training and assistance to enable underemployed, low-income and differently-abled adults to access fresh garden produce as a portion of their groceries. You may have growing experience that you can pass on to a new generation of gardeners. We welcome school-age children and their families, and organizations who can grow produce, to share the harvest. We are seeking donations of materials and funds to provide gardens for low-income residents.

The Mower County Senior Center is excited to be a part of this network. We are planning raised bed gardens to be started this spring. This is open to anyone that would like to get their fingers in the dirt. We are looking for volunteers interested in helping with the planning, building, planting and maintaining of these raised beds. This is a fun way to enjoy nature no matter your ability. Call the Senior Center if you are interested in helping with this fun project.

We will also be hosting classes on gardening, cooking and canning this summer as the timing is right. Hope to see you soon. Your always Welcome at the Senior Center.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure check, 9 to 11 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Get Up and Get Started Exercise with Evie 9 a.m.; Cards and Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carving Club, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi (Newcomers welcome) 9:30 a.m.; Pinochle and Cribbage Tournament, Duplicate Bridge, 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bee’s, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Get Up and Get Started Exercise with Evie 9 a.m.; Investment Club, 10 a.m. Everyone welcome; cards, 12:30 p.m.; BINGO, 1 p.m.; open chess, 1 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Tournament result for March 14, four tables

1st Arnie Lang, 2nd Betty Jorgenson, 3rd Mary Johnsen, 4th Ron Peters, 5th Loretta Nelson, 6th Russ Vaale.

Tues Afternoon “500”

Tournament results for March 15 five tables

1st Elaine Reynolds, 2nd Joe Hassing, 3rd Jerry Downing, 4th Wilbur Mittag, Pinochle, Hilton Henschen.

Wednesday Bridge

Tournament result for March 17

1st Dick Hansen, 1st Larry Crowe; 2nd Betty Jorgenson, 2nd Ron Peters; 3rd Marge Blazer, 3rd Joyce Crowe; 4th Fred Langrock, 4th Sheryl Ehkle.

Weekly “500”

Tournament result for March, five tables

1st Wayne Chilson, 2nd Arnold Bergstrom, 3rd Emma Heimar, 4th Beulah Luthe

Weekly Cribbage

Tournament result for March 16 three tables

1st Dorothy Peterson, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Barb Dickman.

Friday Bridge

Tournament result for March 18, three tables

1st Shirley Knowlton, 2nd Dave Solomonson, 3rd Loretta Nelson, 4th Ron Peters, 5th Betty Jorgenson.

Friday Cribbage

Tournament results for March 18, one and a half tables

1st Jessie Swain, 2nd Loretta Prantner

Semcac Daily Meals

Week of March 28 – April 1

Monday: Ham balls. Alternative: Burger

Tuesday: Beef pot roast

Wednesday: Baked chicken

Thursday: Pork Steak

Friday: Salmon loaf. Alternative: Kielbasa