Les Cockrell

Gardening can be a rewarding hobby, especially when a stronger sense of community is part of the harvest.

A garden that’s been established behind First United Methodist Church in Krum offers interested volunteers just such an opportunity, said Serena McDaniel, a church intern who has helped get the project up and growing.

“Anybody who wants to help is welcome,” McDaniel said. “We definitely need help; there’s a lot to do.”

Volunteers gather at the community garden every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. to avoid the worst of the daytime heat, McDaniel said.

“We try to go in the evening when it’s not so bad,” she said.

Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles, McDaniel said.

“Even if people don’t want to come out here and weed and water, we need people to harvest,” she said. “Everyone shares the produce. We’re trying to make it more of a social thing.”

There’s plenty of space available for those who want their own garden plots, McDaniel said.

“We have about four acres to work with,” she said. “A large section is dedicated to the real community garden, and there is a section for individual plots. Anyone who wants to use that is welcome; there’s no charge.”

The end of summer won’t bring an end to the garden.

“We are planning a fall garden, so we’ll need help all through the fall,” McDaniel said.

Fall plans also include a produce stand and activities for youngsters.

“In October, we’re hoping to have a fall festival,” she said. “We have a ton of pumpkin plants out there.”

First United Methodist Church is located at 1001 E. McCart St., and the garden is easy to find, she said. A banner should soon be in place to help identify the site.

The gardeners want to be good stewards, McDaniel said.

“It’s been really worthwhile,” she said. “We are trying to be completely organic. It’s been difficult, but we’re trying.”

Although there’s no charge to participate in the garden, McDaniel said, donations are welcome.

For more information, call 940-482-3482.

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An American Heritage Girls troop is being formed in the Lake Dallas area, offering activities at five unit levels for girls ages 5 to 17. Parents also are needed.

Ellen Samek, troop coordinator, said the group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning with a kickoff meeting Sept. 2, at Lake Dallas Church of Christ, 504 Carlisle St. The troop will meet throughout the school year, and weekend events and service opportunities will be scheduled, Samek said.

Training meetings also are scheduled prior to the kickoff meeting, and those interested can find out more by e-mailing info@ahg-tx191.org .

American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character development program designed to build women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country, according to information about the organization provided by Samek. It was founded for girls wanting a scout-type program.

Activities planned for the new troop this year include “learning outdoor skills, camping, working with local veterans to recognize our service men and women, serving our community by preparing duffel bags for children who are in need, father-daughter activities, mother-daughter tea, community parades and a lot of fun badge work at activities at the meetings,” Samek said in an e-mail.

More information about American Heritage Girls can be found online at www.ahgonline.org .

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The city of Roanoke is inviting talented young people ages 7 to 18 to audition for a chance to perform on the Rising Star Stage during Celebrate Roanoke, set for Saturday, Oct. 9.

Auditions should be submitted by e-mail in MP3 format to risingstar@roanoketexas.com . Deadline for submissions is Aug. 13.

“We’ve had this contest in various incarnations for the past several years,” said Amy Radford, Roanoke marketing director. “It draws kids from a wide area.”

Entrants should prepare one song and include a resume, headshot and a completed entry form. Those chosen to perform will be notified by Sept. 10, and performance times will be assigned from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9.

Entry forms are available at www.roanoketexas.com . For more information, call 817-491-2411.

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The seventh annual Lake Dallas Quarterback Club Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 2, at Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound.

The annual event will benefit the Lake Dallas Falcons football program, grades 7 through 12.

Registration will be at 7 a.m., and the four-person scramble will begin at 8 a.m. Featured will be post-tournament awards, a silent auction, and closest-to-pin, longest drive and Par 3 contests. Lunch will be sponsored by Outback Steakhouse in Denton.

Complete tournament information is available online at www.ldquarterbackclub.org . To check on available player slots or for more information on sponsorships or making a donation, contact Bruce Waller at 940-594-3045 or bruceww300@yahoo.com .

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Area photographers who plan to enter the fourth annual “Wild Things” photo contest sponsored by Ray Roberts Lake State Park must submit their entries by 5 p.m. Friday, according to information provided by Cassie Cox, park interpreter for the park’s Isle du Bois Unit.

Photos must be taken at any of the parks around Ray Roberts Lake.

There is a maximum of three photos per entrant, and each photo should be printed in an 8-by-10-inch format.

The photographer’s name, address, phone number and e-mail address as well as the location where the photograph was taken should be included on the back of each photo.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places, and all photos will become property of Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

Entries can be turned in at the headquarters of either the Johnson Branch Unit or Isle du Bois Unit. For more information, call 940-686-2148, ext. 258.

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The new Dallas Stars Foundation picnic area was dedicated July 11 at Camp Summit in Argyle, according to an announcement from Bonnie Webb, development and marketing director.

The event included a cookout attended by physically challenged teen campers, Dallas Stars Ice Girls and representatives from the Dallas Stars Foundation.

Camp Summit is a nonprofit residential camp for both adults and children with special needs.

For more information, visit www.campsummittx.org, or contact Webb at 972-484-8900, ext. 107, or b.webb@campsummittx.org .

LES COCKRELL is interested in your input for Out & About. Help share information about Denton County events and people by calling him at 940-566-6887. His e-mail address is lcockrell@dentonrc.com .