THE SWEET LIFE GARDENER

By Alisa Murray www.alisamurray.com

Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the oldest herbs we have. It has been found in the pyramids in Egypt and apparently deemed useful not only for the living, but for the dead as well. Mint was also used as a trading commodity. The word “mint” traces back to the actual minting of money. The herb Biblically is mentioned in Luke as being used to pay tithe and taxes. In Greek mythology, it was Persephone, Hade’s wife, that turned Minte into the plant out of retaliation for sleeping with her husband. Multiple philosophers have boasted the use of peppermint through the years giving it kudos from ailing nausea to promoting healing to even boosting libido.

Peppermint has a long history of use for treating many ailments, in particular stomach issues and pain. Because of it’s refreshing qualities, it has not surprisingly been commercialized for use in toothpastes, teas and candies. This herb also, as you might guess, has a multitude of culinary uses. I love using peppermint in sauces that have a Mediterranean flair, as well as adding the crushed leaves to make ice cubes with lemonade for my summer poolside drinks. Of course, there’s also that mojito, lest we not forget to mention, a very nice use of the herb for sure.

When planting peppermint, or any mint for that matter, it is imperative that you do not plant it in the ground. This stuff likes to spread out and take over, and it is one mistake that I have made in the Sweet Life Garden as I now have hedges of it that must be cut back regularly. I have ripped it up by the roots, and it still comes back strong, so be warned and keep in a pot!

In the garden to ward off pests, I regularly add peppermint oil to neem oil as a spray for aphids. They do not appreciate the powerful smell of either the neem and the peppermint, and for those who have an organic garden, we all know neem doesn’t smell nice, so adding the peppermint helps on the human side of taking care of the garden.

Peppermint is a great herb to have in the garden and has many uses that I think you’ll find valuable on hand for tummy troubles and for refreshing teas. It is definitely one of my most asked for herbs for cuttings from my friends, as everyone it seems wants to grab an handful to take home and enjoy!

Keep on Growing!

Alumni Reunion Kicks Off Plans for 2022 Sugar Land Firefighter’s Gala

Asst. Chief Mark Campise; 2022 Firefighters Gala Committee Co-Chairs Debbie and John Godbee; Battalion Chief Cindy King; Sugar Land Citizens Fire Academy Alumni President Suzanne Whatley; and Sugar Land Fire Chief Doug Boeker.

A recent Sugar Land Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Reunion - Eat, Drink and Catch Up - at Alings Chinese Bistro kicked off the exciting expectations for their upcoming 2022 Sugar Land Firefighters Gala set for September 10th. The annual fundraiser organized by the nonprofit alumni group is aimed at generating funds for enhancing the City of Sugar Land’s fire department’s services to residents as part of public safety that serves the entire community.

This year, lead volunteers of the fire academy alumni serving as the 2022 Firefighters Gala Committee Co-Chairs are John and Debbie Godbee. Already the Godbees have amped up plans for the fundraiser honoring the firefighters. Other active volunteers including Mita and Neel Patel, Sumita Ghosh and Annette Shinsky among others have stepped up to assist with the grand scale effort. These volunteers and the Godbees invite all firefighter academy alumni to participate and help take Sugar Land’s fire department to the next level.

The alumni group started the inaugural fundraiser last year in keeping with Sugar Land Fire Chief Doug Boeker’s view about how, “We are part of the community, and the community is part of us,” an acknowledged view of the fire department’s relationship with the community.

“Our firefighters believe this, live this and commit to this day in and day out,” said Fire Chief Boeker.

Last year’s inaugural firefighter gala on the 20th anniversary of 911 sold out and generated $100,000 from the generosity of its many supporters. The funds were used to purchase specialty equipment for the firefighters to better serve the residents of Sugar Land. This included a handheld thermal imaging camera, ultrasound imager and a respiratory ventilator, items purchased that fell outside the city’s budget.

Funds generated from the fundraiser also helped support other the alumni activities, including the Hearts & Hoses Program, which help members and a firefighter’s family members recovering from illness with hospital visits and family assistance, the Educational Scholarship program that offers financial support to family members of firefighters, and Community Connection relating to educational events by firefighters for the community among other programs.

Firefighter academy alumni and others are being asked to participate by volunteering in this year’s firefighter gala to help support public safety sector services that will impact lives. Those interested in participating or donating are asked to visit www.slcfaa.org or call 469.232.7589 for more information.