Bee Fruitful Farm Welcomes Students

COMMUNITY NEWS

Bee Fruitful Farm Welcomes Students

In November, the air was electric with enthusiasm and gratitude when the pandemic eased and the Draper family hosted 250+ students from Brook Knoll Elementary School over five days at Bee Fruitful, their small organic farm in rural Scotts Valley.

On previous field trips the focus was on teaching the connection between healthy foods and a healthy environment.

Then field trips were canceled for two years to avoid spreading the Covid-19 coronavirus.

This year’s focus was different.

“Our goal for this particular field trip, coming out of Covid, was to help build community through connection,” said Sue Draper, a local real estate agent passionate about instilling a love of nature in children.

Her daughter-in-law Mandy Draper, a parent herself, designed five stations of activities, with that purpose in mind. They were:

Yoga: Being mindful, empowering from within

Planting: Discovering the earth is alive

Cooking With Fresh Apples: Learning to work together — many hands make light work

Turkey Art: Kids scavenged in the woods for twigs, ferns and feathers to adorn their construction-paper turkey body

Campfire Reading: Storytelling at its best with hot chocolate

Plus playing on the slide and jumping on mulch mountains to build relationships

“The benefits were so visible I termed it a Wellness Camp,” Sue Draper said.

Third graders arrived first, followed by second grade, first grade, then kindergarten.

Students were joined by many enthusiastic teachers, dedicated parents, and committed Scotts Valley volunteers. The Brook Knoll PTO financed students’ transportation and activity supplies.

The teachers who participated: 3rd Grade: Mike Igoe, Sharon Keane, Kari

Thornley, Jennifer Lane. 2nd Grade: Robyn Bariteau, Tira Schindler. 1st Grade: Kristen Lesniak, Meghann Gelter,

Lelia Golder.

Kindergarten: Carly Rice, Paula Pasquini,

Bonny Fulton.

“We discovered the benefits were not limited to the students,” Sue Draper said. “Teachers, parents, and volunteers alike shared an experience that brought us all closer together — It truly was a magical experience for everyone.” n •••

To reach Bee Fruitful Farm call 831-252-0398.

Photos Credit: Orenda Randuch

Spreading Holiday Cheer to Foster Kids

In December, Santa Cruz County Bank employees spread holiday cheer by participating in the Court Appointed Special Advocates Annual Holiday Gift Giving campaign, a toy drive that brightens the holidays for kids in the CASA program.

This year the bank delivered more than 100 toys and games and nearly $4,000 in gift cards and cash donations — the biggest and most generous year in their history of giving.

The bank has championed this campaign to support CASA of Santa Cruz County since 2010, and this year include a gift drive for CASA of Monterey County. This annual effort is led by Doug Fischer, Santa Cruz County Bank senior vice president, director of business banking, and a CASA volunteer for 10 years.

“Thank you for embodying the holiday spirit and helping our youth feel cared for and seen this holiday season,” said Lynne Petrovic, executive director of CASA of Santa Cruz County.

CASA of Santa Cruz County currently supports about100 youths, from birth to age 21, in the Dependency Court (foster care) system and serves a small number of youths in the juvenile justice system.

During the holiday season, Santa Cruz County Bank’s branches served as donation sites for Second Harvest Food Bank Holiday Food Drive and Santa Cruz Volunteer Center’s “Adopt a Family” program. n

Photo Credit: Santa Cruz County Bank

From left: Richard Chavez, VP controller, Santa Cruz County Bank; Doug Fischer, SVP director of business banking, Santa Cruz County Bank; Lynne Petrovic, executive eirector, CASA of Santa Cruz County, Michelle Navarro, VP treasury management manager, Santa Cruz County Bank; Conny Ramirez, advocate supervisor court liaison, CASA of Santa Cruz County; Mary Anne Carson, EVP chief marketing officer, Santa Cruz County Bank.

“Mary Coin” from page 21 Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Trivia Night

In-person only at Steel Bonnet Brewing

Company, 20 Victor Square, Scotts Valley.

The ever-popular Trivia on Tap, hosted by the Santa Cruz Public Library’s Victor Willis, poses challenging questions from Mary Coin. Book groups may participate, or fly solo. Beer available for sale, a food truck out front or eat elsewhere in Victor Square. n

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NOTES: This calendar is as accurate as was possible at the time of printing. For the most up-to-date Our Community Reads information, go to www.FriendsofAptosLibrary.org

There might be a photographer present at in-person events. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform the photographer or a member of the Friends.

Expand your mind, engage your senses, challenge your creativity, and be a part of the Our Community Reads community! The more events you attend, the more enriching the experience will be, which explains the Passport: To encourage participants to attend as many events as possible. • Those who attend 12 events will win a

“Grand Prize.” • There will be “runner-up” prizes for those who attend 10 or 11 events. • At each in-person event you will receive a stamp in your passport. • For virtual events, you will get a write-in code.

Pick up your Passport at library branches or when you check in at the first event. The Friends’ website (www.FriendsofAptosLibrary.org) will tell you how to turn in your Passport at the end of the season.