May 12, 2011 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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By NATALIE JOHNSON
Community gardens are sprout-
ing up throughout the county, and
according to groups like Mason
Matters, give people who ordinar-
ily wouldn't have access to a plot of
land of their own a chance to gain
empowerment through gardening.
Since January, Mason Matters
has been working with this principle
in mind, coordinating with Mason
General Hospital and the communi-
ty to create the HOPE Community
Garden, which stands for Hands On
Personal Empowerment.
"The mission of the garden is to
provide a green space that nourish-
es not just through food but through
a social gathering point," said Del-
phina Liles, an AmeriCorps volun-
teer with Mason Matters.
On Monday, Mason Matters, Ma-
son General, and supporters of the
HOPE Garden hosted a ribbon Cut-
ting to recognize the official comple-
tion of the project.
During the ceremony, hospital
district commissioner Nancy Truck-
sess recognized Liles for her work.
"She was the force behind this
when she stepped onboard," Truck-
sess said. "This little girl may be
small, but she packs a wallop and
it's because of Delpina's efforts that
we are here today."
The garden, which is on hospi-
tal property, is open for public use.
Community members rent sixteen
beds in the garden annually andfive
different school programs use the
garden as a learning tool.
The garden also grows fresh veg-
etables for the Saint's Pantry Food
Bank.
"I can't say enough about how
exited I am that we have this gar-
den right across from our hospital,"
Trucksess said.
Habitat for Humanity also helped
build the volunteer based project,
and bu_iiLt raised garden beds and a
tool shed.
"It's the Cadillac of sheds - it's
beautiful," Liles said.
Getting the garden off the ground
was a long and arduous process, Li-
les said, but completely worth it.
"I want to talk a little about what
hope really means," she said.
Upon arriving in Mason County
and starting her position at Mason
Matters Liles was given a mission
- to work towards improving health
and wellness in Mason County, and
to look for creative and "out of the
box," solutions to problems.
"I found a lot of people who were
enthusiastic about the community
garden and I ran into a lot of people
who said that they needed a space
where they felt like they could phys-
ically and creatively express them-
selves, an outlet that would empow-
er them," she said.
One of those people personally
Journal photos by Natalie Johnson
Above, DelphinaLiles, an
AmeriCorps volunteer with
Mason Matters, was the
driving force in creating the
HOPE Community Garden at
Mason General Hospital.
At left, hospital District
Commissioner Nancy
Trucksess, left, Kim Klint,
of Mason Matters, Jessica
Hendy of Mason County
Youth Programs and
Delphina Liles of Mason
Matters watch as five year
old volunteer Rebekka Rigby
performs the ribbon cutting
for the HOPE Community
Garden.
empowered by the garden, Janiece being here ...I've never gardened,
Brenston came to the project I'm from Chicago, I'm a city girl,
through Mason County Youth Pro- and let me tell you she (Liles) put
grams, me to work," she said. "I'm glad to
"I've gained a lot of experience be a part of the community."
Journal photo by Natalie Johnson
Johnny Arrant, owner of new Shelton
restaurant Gianni's Cucina, proudly shows off
his new pizza oven.
By NATALIE JOHNSON spaghetti and ravioli ...
and then I'll add specials to
Next week, Sheltonites the menu.., so I can chal-
will be able to buy a little lenge myself, plus bring new
slice of Italy right in their things to people," he said.
backyard. Since January, Arrant has
"I think there's a nichebeen renovating his leased
for it here in town for it," he space in downtown Shelton,
said. "I don't feel we've real- changing it from office space
ly had a good pizza," he said. to a functioning restaurant.
After losing his job in an He removed ancient lathe
ailing construction market and plaster from the walls
several years ago, Arrant, to reveal the original brick,
and his daughter Lisa Donze, and a hidden garage door.
started thinking about open- He also remodeled the front
ing up a new Italian restau- area into a dining room, and
rant in Shelton. On May 16, the rear into a kitchen, by
they plan to open Gianni's adding a pizza oven, work
Cucina, which Arrant said area, range, and range hood,
means Johnny's Kitchen in which he said was the most
Italian. challenging and expensive
"For the last five years, aspect oftheremodel.
Lisa and I have talked about "With my construction
it, kicked it back and forth backgrotmd I was able to do
and probably ,in the last two everything myself," Arrant
years we got more serious," said. "We probably saved
he said. $50,000."
"Last year I got seriousArrant said that while he
about kicking off." spent 25 years working in
Arrant and Donze said construction, he began his
that their pizza will beworking career in restau-
unique in Shelton. Whilerants.
the area already has many "I learned how to run
of the major pizza chains, a big kitchen at a pretty
they say they want to create young age, then got in the
a more crafted, artisanal family construction busi-
pizza, ness," he said.
"It's a cross between Unlike many restaurants
American bastardized pizza in the county, Gianni's will
and the true Italian pizza, be open on Monday's Arrant
which is thin and has a few and Donze said.
toppings, just sauce and"I've been talking to peg-
cheese," Arrant said. "We're ple that work in the restau-
in the middle there." rants and bars and they got
While pizza will be the nowhere to go when they're
main focus, they also plan to off," he said. "I'm trying to
have selected favorites from put a little service out there
Italian cuisine, so they have a place to come
"My passion is to bring ... or just a hip environment
other stuff- weql start with to hang out in."
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County Journal -Thursday, May 12, 2011 - Page A-3