The Library's Community Garden
The Round Top Family Library Community Garden has been taking root since 2005. Today it is a beautiful place, indeed. Originally planned and executed by local gardener, Ann Thames and Stacie Engeling, the garden thrives through the volunteer efforts of so many, including numerous area children and adults who dig in the dirt and learn as they go. Complete with a playscape, paths, organically growing memorial beds, picnic tables made and donated as a project of a local Eagle Scout troup, and so much more. The only thing for sure about this beautiful landscape is that it is constantly in the state of becoming.
If gardening is a love of yours, join in the community spirit of this nurturing and contact committee chairperson, Jeanette Schoenst at 979-278-3239.
Besides volunteer hands, the Community Garden committee would greatly welcome
• stone for garden walls
• general supplies
• plants material (we love drought tolerant natives)
• mulch
Introducing the Diane & John Grace Memorial Garden
Anyone visiting the Round Top Family Library of late will notice lots of changes taking place surrounding the community garden Including new stone walkways, a bubbling rock water feature for birds and butterflies, a pavilion with lights and fans, and a new split rail perimeter fence that defines a larger area for the garden. What is not as readily visible is the installation of a much needed irrigation system to take care of the entire Library site. All of these enhancements and improvements come to the Library thanks to a generous bequest from Kevin and Bob Grace, and Cindy Witte, family of Diane & John Grace, formerly of Houston and long-time owners of a farm in Round Top and a home in Brenham. Diane passed away in
2005 and the community lost John at the end of 2006. The Grace family bequest is allowing the Round Top Family Library to create the Diane & John Grace Memorial Garden on its grounds.
According to Grace daughter, Cindy Witte of Houston, "our parents loved their children, grandchildren and so enjoyed doing things together as a family. They also loved the Round Top area, the history and especially the people." Kevin Grace adds, "Our parents also valued a good education and a library is a great resource to enhance ones' educational experience. We felt there was no better way for us to honor their legacy than to help build a place in Round Top where people can gather in a beautiful environment around others who also value education for their children and themselves. We also appreciate the fact that the Round Top Family library is more than just a lending facility," says brother Bob. "So many activities take place there, it's a very dynamic environment, one our parents would have appreciated."
The Library garden began as a grass roots effort by local organic gardeners intent on creating an educational environment as well as a beautiful one at the Library. The new, revised plan calls for a future greenhouse to serve the garden, and provide a venue for further educational programs in organic gardening, focusing on such subjects as propagation techniques.
The Library is constantly creating and expanding its community programs, the Diane & John Grace Memorial Garden will be the facility to accommodate other ways the Library can fulfill its mission to do so. "We are so appreciative of the Grace family. As we miss having John and Diane in our midst, the garden will be a way for many of us to continue to honor their memory and the friendship and generosity they extended to this community", says Library president, Kathy Johnston.
The garden is a lovely place for a happy event.
For a small donation, birthday parties or other events may be scheduled by calling the library. Your monetary gift will be used exclusively for our garden beautification fund.
Below: Matthew Heinstchel's Eagle Scout leadership project for the Library's garden resulted in the construction and installation of four cedar picnic tables and benches. Come enjoy them! The cedar was kindly donated by Leo and Agnes Miller.
