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Love Brunch: How does your garden grow?

There is much to say about gardens, and many wise words come from simply contemplating gardening. Here’s an old, but true, saying: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
arocha.ca

There is much to say about gardens, and many wise words come from simply contemplating gardening. Here’s an old, but true, saying: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” 

Gardens abound in metaphors, and create attitudes to live by. They can be a concrete way for us to channel our hopes and fears about our environment. A living example of this is the Canadian organization called A Rocha (arocha.ca). Co-founded by Leah Kostamo, who has dedicated her adult life to gardening and environmental care, A Rocha Canada is helping to change people’s attitudes about our earth. “In an environmental context often characterized by fear and paralysis, A Rocha is bringing hope through care of both people and places. We are preserving sensitive habitats and threatened species, growing organic food and feeding people living on low income, inspiring school children and training young people.” 

Kostamo is the key spokesperson and storyteller for A Rocha Canada and the coordinator for the Brooksdale Farm and Environmental Centre in South Surrey, B.C. She is the author of Planted: A Story of Creation, Calling and Community and has appeared as a guest on CBC radio alongside Margaret Atwood. Kostamo will be the guest speaker at the upcoming Women’s Love Brunch on Saturday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 711 Park Rd. in Gibsons. Following a gourmet lunch buffet, Kostamo will entertain and inspire with thoughts on How Does Your Garden Grow? This annual Love Brunch, planned with Valentine’s Day in mind, has lots of fun in store, with music and door prizes (and complimentary child care, if needed). 

Gardeners and women of all backgrounds won’t want to miss Kostamo at the Love Brunch. Tickets are $15 and available at Laedeli in Sunnycrest Mall and Les Fleurs de Fi Florist on Cowrie Street in Sechelt (sales end Feb. 9). 

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” In other words, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

– Submitted by Marah Farmer