Westside Messenger - July 11th, 2021

PAGE 2 - WESTSIDE MESSENGER - July 11, 2021
Midsummer Garden Festival
The Highland Youth Garden will host the Midsummer
Garden Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. July 14 at 67 S. Highland
Ave. in Columbus. This free event allows patrons to check
community events
out the garden while trying food samples, make a flower
crown with The Flower Initiative, learn about bees in a
clear observation hive from The Bee Collective, and join in
the fun activities provided by the Highland Youth
Garden’s own Green Teens. Free ice cream from
CAMPING
Continued from page 1
www.columbusmessenger.com
Cream & Sugar for the first 100 participants. Afterwards,
pick up fresh produce to take with you from the Pay-What-
You-Can Garden Market.For more information, visit the
garden’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/highlandyouthgarden.
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is more to it than a harmful perception.
“It is a challenged neighborhood, there is no doubt
about that,” he said. “But there is a lot of promise in
this community, and a lot of it comes from kids like
these.”
Close to 20 children aged 7 to 13 participated in this
year’s camping adventure. They come from a variety of
backgrounds but have all faced some hardship
throughout their young lives.
“Some of these kids are growing up in poverty,
growing up in single-homes, attending ‘F’ rated
schools,” said Flores. “Some of these kids have seen
violence, lost parents or loved ones to drugs. But look
at them out here, smiling, having fun, finding new
friends, and getting to explore the outdoors in a way
they might never have been able to.”
She said throughout the day-long adventure, lessons
are intertwined with the crafting and entertainment
festivities, including presentations given by public
safety officials. Columbus firefighter Felecia
Jackson shared home safety tips and offered encouragement
when going after your dreams.
“I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter and I’ve tried
a few times to join the department but I was never able
to until I reached my 40-somethings,” she said. “I just
want to tell them that you can do anything you put
your mind to and that nothing can stop you except your
will to do it.”
Brophy, who also served as an adult chaperone for
this year’s outing, spoke of the importance of gun and
street safety. He invited a few members of the bike
unit to join and engage with the children.
FIREFIGHTERS
Continued from page 1
they love seeing the fire trucks.”
Slowly the fire department has begun to open their
doors to the community, after the novel coronavirus
pandemic. Recently, the department held its annual
fish fry and are now letting students ride along with
them.
Rakiyah Lopez, 8, proudly displays the artwork she
made during a crafting session at the camp.
“I want these kids to know that there are other
adults out there who are looking out for them,” he said.
“That there are people in their corner even if they don’t
believe in it themselves.”
Flores said that is another aspect of being a true
Love Warrior — believing in love even though events
can make you question it.
“There are bad things out there, but there are so
many people out there willing to help.
“And that is what this whole thing is all about —
sharing our love with these kids and seeing them open
up and be able to share it with someone else.”
The department plans to host its annual Fire
Prevention Festival as well this year.
“It will take place Oct. 17 and will feature food
trucks, fire safety activities for kids and a variety of
other things,” Scott said. “It is great to have our staple
community events again and open up our station to the
community.”
In previous years, the event has had an
EMS helicopter on display, a smoke house,
opportunities for kids to use one of the fire
hoses and other engaging activities.
Scott added that despite the station
opening back up to the community, they
are still being cautious. First responders
continue to wear masks and other protective
equipment when responding to calls in
order to protect themselves from COVID-
19.
“Even though COVID isn’t gone, things
are starting to feel normal” Scott said. “We
feel it is very important to engage with the
community and have a strong relationship,
so we are excited to be able to put on some
of these fun events again.”
For more information on activities at the
Prairie Township Fire Department, visit
www.prairietownship.org.