A newsletter by harkins, the florist
Jawn says...
Since its inception, Flowers on the Purnt has dealt, usually in a
humorous way, with the flower shop down on Lower Magazine Street. This month
we’re going to strike a serious note. This is the great news of dedicated young
people creating a school that works. Here is a letter Jawn shared with his
fellow members of Trinity Church, outlining an excellent way we can make a
really meaningful investment in the future of our beloved city:
I was at
Baptist Hospital 28 years ago the day Tim Hearin was born. His story is a
heart-warming, feel good narrative I want to share. The media can depress us
with bad news day after day. Even the staunchest Orleanians have their faith
tested repeatedly with what seems to be unending reports of crime and
corruption. I want you to read of my experience of something about our city
that is not just working correctly, it is working magnificently! It is a
program so very deserving of our support.
Tim grew
up with much the same experiences of my kids and yours. He came through Newman
a good student, and he was an outstanding baseball player, beginning at
Carrollton as a toddler and then in scholastic competition. Ultimately, Tim
attended Columbia where he played as well. Somehow, along the way, Tim
developed differently than most kids, however. His parents were of the Kennedy
Kids generation of the 1960s. For a number of years, his mother taught in the
local public schools, and his father practiced poverty law at NOLAC. Tim is, to
me, a reincarnation of the Hippie generation of my youth. The only difference?
He has a crew cut rather than a ponytail.
On
graduating, Tim chose a different road than many who get caught up in
materialistic/ hedonistic pursuits. He signed up for Teach for America and was
assigned to inner city Los Angeles. After serving there, he said he had to come
back to New Orleans where he was needed more.
He has had
a meteoric rise through the ReNew Schools. This is his third year at SciTech,
formerly Laurel School, our neighbor. During his three years at this
experimental school, he taught English and coached a couple of sports first.
The second year he became the disciplinarian. This year, at 28, he is the
principal. It chokes me up seeing Tim and his cadre of teachers in action.
Having
been in school work 10 years and experienced 17 with my kids, I can’t believe
what I see at SciTech. The buildings are not fancy, a campus that evolved over
many years. It is immaculately clean, however, with students helping custodians
keep it so. Walking through the halls, the stimulation is mind-boggling.
Dozens of bright college flags hang from the cafeteria ceiling. One cannot
take in during one trip all the stimulation there is in the halls. Crests of
local high schools and challenging quotes are everywhere. Tim and his faculty
were wearing Brother Martin tee- shirts on a recent visit. In any way possible,
they push the students to achieve and succeed. Outstanding students are awarded
special shirts, and they are saluted on a bulletin board. Just to see the
pictures of their smiling faces…
Beyond
items to stimulate achievement, a more important element is seriousness in the
classroom. There’s no daydreaming or goofing off. At the change of classes,
silent lines move to the next class. For anyone familiar with schools, this
challenges credulity.
As
Outreach Director, Father Mitch visits SciTech often, shares fundraising ideas
with Tim and myriad ways Trinity can partner with the school.
This is my
personal appeal to the good folks of Trinity Church. With two years of start-up
funds they got so much done, but they are facing a crunch now. When asked what
supplies would be most useful, Tim immediately replied “PAPER!” Because of a
scarcity of computers/printed materials, teachers duplicate lots. Five boxes of
paper are used each week. What will happen when they run out? $25 buys a box of
10 reams. How many of us spend more than that on an entrée? A more personal
gift, $25 also buys a student uniform.
Never have
I experienced a cause or investment in the future of our city so worthy. Mitch
thinks big, hoping to deliver pallets of paper to get them through the year. I
don’t know any Trinitarian who cannot give $25. The vast majority can do much
more. Please be generous. You can send a check to The Rev’d Mitchell Smith at
Trinity Church, 1329 Jackson Ave., NOLA 70130 with the notation, “SciTech,” now!
Beyond the academics at SciTech, the sports program the young people offers is a
great hit with the young people. For the first time a boys’ soccer team is
being formed. Faculty member Kyle Walther from the Seattle area will coach the
group. Several restaurants in the neighborhood donated the money for the group
to join the soccer league. What is needed now are uniforms for 12 young men.
The cost is just $35 each. Is this not a small amount to perhaps lead these
youth in a different direction?
If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this cause, please send
a check with the notation “SciTech Soccer” to Father Mitch Smith, % Trinity
Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, NOLA 70130.
God bless the staff of this wonderful program evolving here in da ‘hood!
The
care and handling of..........Yarrow!
Origins
Achillea, commonly known as yarrow, is named
for the mythological Greek god Achilles, who is said to have used
some of this plant’s more than 100 species for medicinal purposes.
Today, yarrow’s blooms populate garden walks and floral designs
alike, while herbalists continue to use the plant for its
fever-reducing, skin-cleansing and wound-healing properties.
Availability and Vase Life
February through September.
4-7 days.
Design Uses
An interesting addition to mixed summer arrangements. Yarrow dries
easily and is long lasting for use in dried designs.
Colors: Yellow, white, pink, red.
Getting
Social...............
We've been having fun
this week posting pictures to Face Book, and Pinterest.
We've added a new
harkins account to Pinterest, so now you can visit the
harkins, the florist boards,
which will have many of our web site pictures, plus some great new
shots; and the
harkins weddings boards,
where you will find many pictures from all over the web, plus our
own web site, to give you lots of inspiration when planning your
special day.
Come visit, and like or
follow us!
Follow us on Pinterest
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