Did you know that Gaining Ground, that wonderful nonprofit farm off of Virginia Road that grows organic food simply to donate it to hunger-relief programs, operates on land that has been farmed for more than 300 years? I just learned that last week and I find it fascinating. It also made me realize that it’s high time Gaining Ground received its own tractor. The Board of Directors agrees with me (actually, I think it was the board’s idea) so a campaign has been launched to raise funds. 

Gaining Ground, now in its 18th season, prides itself in doing much of the work by hand. But who can argue that a tractor would not free up time and labor with things such as turning fields, mowing cover crops and turning compost? The machinery would allow more food to be grown to feed more people. 

The folks at Gaining Ground would like your support in helping them with this initiative. You can send them a donation by going to the website, or send a check, made out to Gaining Ground, to P.O. Box 375, Concord, Mass., 01742. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.

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Good morning Patch Fans! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I sure did. I indulged in an overload of empty - albeit mighty tasty -  carbs and calories straight from fat on Saturday. My great-nephew turned one and my brother turned 50. I hear it’s bad luck to refuse a piece of birthday cake.

As always, good news continues to churn from our fine town. First up today is a warm welcome to Nicole Walczewski, the new Director of Rehabilitation at Concord Health Care Center.

Nicole is a doctor of physical therapy who also has received her Wound Care Certification. And despite all of her wonderful credentials, I hope none of us has a need to meet Nicole professionally.

I met Nicole socially this month when I crashed a gathering CHCC and Right at Home were hosting as a thank you for its clients. CHCC and Bedford-based Right At Home, which provides support for families in need of caregivers, served guests a delicious and catered dinner and an entertaining - and for me - educational presentation by Bill Graham of Beautiful Things, in Salem.

This Bill Graham is neither the evangelist or the musician you may have thought I was referring to.  He is, however, a member of the Professional Floral Communicators International, The Academy of Florists and the American Institute of Floral Design.  His June 16 presentation at CHCC was focused on how to dress up the iconic little black dress so you can wear it from one event to the next without anyone ever knowing its the same dress.

Bill’s canvas was a simple sleeveless black sheath dress on a mannequin. He applied no more than four accessories - a wrap or jacket, a handbag, a necklace and sometimes a hat - to take the dress from garden party to fundraiser to elegant wedding. He made it look so easy.

For added bonus, Bill tapped into his floral expertise to create incredible centerpieces to match each occasion. Gosh, did he make that look simple. Here is a photo of Nicole with the mannequin wearing the black dress and one of Bill’s floral arrangements. He made the centerpiece in minutes while entertaining the crowd with jokes. Do notice how Nicole rocks her black dress with a simple lanyard and employee ID badge. Bill may have to add those accessories to his repertoire. 

Bill offered helpful and humorous tips. For example, never wear diamonds, silver or gold, or bring a handbag big enough to hold a check book to a fundraiser. That way no one will expect any big bucks from you, but you can still enjoy the party. Don’t you wish someone told you that before? Well, now we know.

Do you have something to share? Contact me at mcb23@comcast.net or Stefanie at stefanieac@comcast.net and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.