Program teaches youth to grow healthy garden, relationships

Despite several weeks of rain and thunderstorms, the "Hands for Growing" summer program took advantage of the clear weather this week at Sidney Legion Park. The 10-week course meets every Wednesday and teaches kids entering 6th to 8th grades gardening and life skills.

Throughout the meetings, Pat Mertz, the pastoral minister of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and Tabitha McCloud, the community outreach educator for the DOVES Program, combine lessons and skills about planting a successful garden and maintaining safe and healthy friendships and relationships.

DOVES provides services and preventio...