Finally, the perfect excuse to buy feety pajamas (not that you need an excuse, because let's face it, feety pajamas are awesome). The Bow Garden Club is working together with the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs to collect pajamas and garden or nature books for needy children. Although the “Pajama Program” is a nationwide effort to help kids across the country, all pajamas and books collected in New Hampshire are distributed to kids in New Hampshire.
According to Ginny Urdi, president of the Bow Garden Club, many of the children who will receive the pajamas and books have been abused or abandoned and have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a parent tuck them in and read them a story.
“We recognize that we are in tough economic times, but to purchase a pair of pajamas and a book for a child in need is an affordable way for us to support children in crisis around the state,” Ginny said.
There are several ways to help. You can purchase a pair of pajamas (all sizes are needed from infant to teens – sweatpants and T-shirts are appropriate for teens), buy an age-appropriate garden or nature book and then tie the two together with a ribbon and place your gift in a collection box. Collection boxes in Bow are located at the Baker Free Library, the Bow Community Building, town offices, Merrimack County Savings Bank and White Rock Senior Center.
There will be a special collection box at Concord's Uno Chicago Grill, where the garden club will be holding a fundraiser on Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to closing. The Uno staff, along with members of the garden club, will be decked out in pajamas for the event. If you donate a pair of pajamas and a book during this day, Uno's will treat you to a free dessert. An excuse to wear pajamas during the day AND free dessert? Sounds pretty sweet to us!
If you can't make it to the Uno's event, the garden club will also be collecting pajamas at its club fundraiser, “Balsam and Bling” on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Bow High School in the auditorium and will feature renowned floral designer, Bill Graham. A $5 suggested donation at the door will get you in. There will be a box in the high school lobby to collect pajamas and books during this event.
Monetary donations are also being accepted, too. There will be a jar at the high school during “Balsam and Bling” or you can make out a check to the “Pajama Program” and drop it off at any of the collection boxes or mail it to: Bow Garden Club, 51 Putney Road, Bow 03304.
All donations are being accepted by the Garden Club through Nov. 14, so what are you waiting for? Go out and get a pair of feety pajamas today!
For more information about the “Pajama Program,” visit pajamaprogram.org. For more information about the Bow Garden Club or any of the events mentioned in this article, call Ginny at 774-4476 or e-mail her at vurdi76@comcast.net.
Suggested books!
Suggested books!
Need help finding a book? Ginny says that pretty much any book that promotes a love of the environment is a safe bet. One book she recommends for anyone, young and old, is “Last Child in the Woods,” by Richard Louv. For the little ones, Ginny says “The Wind Garden,” by Claire Fletcher is a good pick.
Deb Baker from Gibson’s Bookstore, 27 S. Main St., also had some suggestions. All of the below titles are currently in stock at Gibson’s. While you’re there, pick up a book for yourself, too. Gibson’s also has a great selection of gardening books for you grownups out there. For more information about Gibson’s, call 224-0562 or visit gibsonsbookstore.com.
Preschool and elementary school:
“Linnea In Monet’s Garden,” by Christine Bjork.
“The Secret Garden,” by Frances Hodgson Burnet.
“The Curious Garden,” by Peter Brown
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “The Tiny Seed,” by Eric Carle.
“In the Garden,” by Peggy Collins.
“Sprout Your Own Sweet Scents,” book and seed kit by Chronicle Books.
“The Enormous Potato,” Aubrey Davis.
“The Time Garden,” by Edgar Eager.
“Seed Sprout Pumpkin Pie” and “Apples for Everyone,” by Jill Esbaum.
“The Vegetables We Eat” and “The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree,” by Gail Gibbons.
“The Carrot Seed,” by Ruth Krauss.
“Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots,” by Sharon Lovejoy.
“Our Community Garden,” by Barbara Pollack
“How a Seed Grows Into a Sunflower,” by David Stewart.
“The Gardener,” by Sarah Stewart
“The Scarecrow’s Dance,” by Jane Yolen.
Middle and high school:
“Growing Stuff: The Alternative Guide to Gardening,” by Black Dog Publishing.
“Seedfolks,” by Paul Fleischman.
“The New Hampshire Gardener’s Companion,” by Henry Homeyer.
“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” by Barbara Kingsolver
“Hope’s Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet,” by Anna and Frances Lappe.
“Omnivore’s Dilemma for Young Readers: The Secrets Behind What We Eat,” by Michael Pollan.
“The Edible Schoolyard,” by Alice Waters.
“Edible History of Humanity,” by Tom Standage.
“Flower Confidential” and “Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities,” by Amy Stewart.
