Recent Newsletters
Finding your fit: Exploring rural churches
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Under any circumstances, choosing a church can feel like a daunting task, but for newcomers to a rural area the typical issues of theological...
We Need You at the Mount Gilead Gathering Garden!
Many of you know that I help organize and run The Gathering Garden (TGG), Mount Gilead’s Community Garden in the heart of downtown. This organic community garden is not just a plot of land where plants grow; it's a vibrant, inclusive space where our neighbors come...
Living with Japangst
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The 1980s were a period of dramatic economic transformation in the United States. As the smokestacks of American industry sputtered, a new...
Sourcing Native Plants is Worthwhile but Difficult
Embarking on the journey to incorporate more native plants into your garden is a commendable and environmentally conscious decision. However, finding these plants can often pose a challenge, especially when trying to source them sustainably and ethically. The golden...
A RESOLUTION HONORING ROBERT “BOB” LOWDERMILK
The following resolution was read aloud by Mayor Sheldon Poplin Morley at the April 2 Town Board meeting:
The war of the pears
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. I moved to North Carolina in late February 1995. A couple of weeks after I arrived, the trees along the streets of our suburban neighborhood...
Poison Ivy is One of Our Most Misunderstood Plants
Poison ivy, a plant often met with a mix of fascination and dread, holds a unique place in the natural world and in our gardens. Known scientifically as a member of the sumac family, this plant is a native species that plays a significant ecological role despite its...
Have you any dreams you’d like to sell?
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. Like many writers, I keep a notebook and pen on the nightstand next to my bed to jot down ideas that come to me in the middle of the night....
The Benefits of Using a Hayfork in the Garden
Conventional wisdom says we need to till our garden every season. Maintaining healthy soil is paramount for the flourishing of plants. While tilling has been a traditional approach, an alternative method known as forking offers a less disruptive yet highly effective...
The drop-bed pickup that wasn’t
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. It's Halloween, 1990. “Ice, Ice Baby” is the No. 1 song in the country, “Rosanne” is the most popular show on television, the Cincinnati Reds...
You Might Not Need to Till Your Garden
No-till gardening is transforming the way we approach our gardens, turning traditional methods on their head. This innovative approach, which avoids the disruption of soil through tilling, offers a plethora of benefits not just for the garden but for the environment...
You betcha!
John B. Marek is a writer, farmer, outdoorsman and recovering economic developer. You can find his books at johnbmarek.com. The Ohio Lottery launched with much fanfare in 1974. I recall my father buying a couple of $1 scratch-off tickets to see what it was all about....