Today I go to honor a hero

Esther Marie Ham was my aunt. I adored her. She's been gone for years and I miss her still. This afternoon at 2pm we will go to the installation of a memorial to her work in founding the community gardens in Vancouver, Washington.

She was a force of nature herself and here is the story of starting the community gardens in her own words:

When we were still on the farm, we offered free plowed, fertilized and watered garden plots for the Seniors -- and as much as they wanted. A busload of Seniors were brought out from the city. The river bottom land we had would raise anything.

After we came to town, I noticed so much empty land around the city. I thought it would be so easy to get donated land near where the Seniors were, I was wrong! Finally someone told me to check with the school. They told me they owned a piece adjoining the Parks and Recreation Department and the Seniors could use that free. Since the Parks and Recreation was so close and since they were always looking for good projects, I went to them for help. One of the main people said my project would not get off the ground. I thought if there was any possible way to get this off the ground, I would do it!

http://www.bmccnet.com/gardens/kittyham.htm


Edited to add link to press release for the event:

http://www.cityofvancouver.us/News.asp?submenuID=16578&Id=75309

K and R. :)

to be so fondly remembered, but this is just outstanding. She was as beautiful on the outside as on the inside. We don't have many family pictures of relatives from that era smiling so warmly. She's timeless.
KnR