COMMON GROUND IS LIKE A POT LUCK

It was a beautiful, though slightly chilly evening for our first of hopefully many meals together at Common Ground. With the construction of the garden almost completely finished, and with many of the raised beds already spouting vegetables, the members and friends of Common Ground gathered to enjoy a potluck dinner together.

I think a potluck was a fitting way to kick off this shared endeavor. The idea of a potluck is that with little or no pre-planning of the menu, everyone brings whatever they want to the table, and the combination of it all will result in a tasty and filling feast. A smorgasbord of smells, tastes and textures that somehow always seem to compliment each other and cover all the basic components of a healthy meal. Our first potluck was no exception. There were lots of vegetables, salads, fruits, stews and even some meat. Some prepared in advance and some cooked on the grill right there in the garden. One of the fun elements of a potluck is that you get to know a little bit about each other based on the food each person brings. Carrie with her wonderful salads, Sara and her healthy stew, John with his slab of beef!

Common Ground is like a potluck. Without knowing who was going to jump into the pot, neighbors have come together from different backgrounds, blocks, faiths, generations and perspectives. A veritable smorgasbord of people who seem to compliment each other and cover all the components of healthy community.

Thanks to all that contributed to our first feast together, but more importantly, thanks for bringing your own unique flavor to Common Ground and thanks for being courageous enough to jump into the pot!