Debra

"I grew up on on Eldridge [near Evergreen & Chelsea] next door to my grandparents. They had a large garden, about an acre, and grew every vegetable you can think of:  greens, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, tomatoes, squash---just everything. They also had peach trees, apple trees, pecans, and figs, and they raised chickens for the meat and eggs. My grandfather had a white horse and a green wagon, and as a child I'd watch him load it up with all that produce. I was too little to go with him, so he'd toss me a peach and tell me to go on back in the house. Then he'd make the rounds all through the Evergreen area. He was known as J. K. King, the Market Man. That's how the neighborhood got fresh produce back then. I was raised on fresh fruits and vegetables, and I still like them, but there's nowhere close to get them anymore. No place within walking distance for the people of this community. 

"My grandparents are both gone---my grandfather died in 1968---but our family still owns the acre-and-a-half on Eldridge where they lived.  It's sitting idle now, but I'd love to see the property turned into a community garden. I applied for a $5000 grant and didn't get it, but I'm going to try again. I'm not sure how much it would cost to get it going, but a grant would help. I know everybody around here, and I know that the people my age and older would be happy to work in it. I think we could get the young people involved and interested too. The children don't know what it's like to have fresh fruits and vegetables, and they need to. It would be wonderful to have a big garden in this neighborhood again."

Debra's grandfather:  J. K. King, the Market Man

"On holidays, I cook. Anybody in the neighborhood knows they can come by and get a plate."

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