Congratulations to Issaquah Highlands resident Dave Dandeneau for being selected as May’s Volunteer of the Month! He is a garden ambassador for Vista Gardens and recently helped to implement a shared herb garden for neighbors to utilize. Dave also wrote an article about companion gardening from his years of experience. Thanks for all you do, Dave!
He had the following to say about his time volunteering and living in Issaquah Highlands:
About 14 years ago, we moved our family from Jacksonville, Florida, to Issaquah Highlands. We initially thought we would spend a couple of years in “rainy Seattle,” but we ended up falling in love with the community and can’t imagine living anywhere else!
Our three daughters (Alli, Chloe and Emily) have spent most of their lives in Issaquah Highlands and all attended Grand Ridge Elementary, Pacific Cascade Middle School and Issaquah High School.
In our first year in Issaquah Highlands, we reserved a plot in Vista Gardens and have participated ever since. Gardening has been a family affair for us. Everyone helps to get the garden started in spring, we have enjoyed many family walks to visit our harvests over the year. In the summer and fall months, the majority of our produce comes directly from our garden.
One unforeseen positive impact of the garden is that our children have been more likely to eat the veggies that we worked hard to grow. From gardening, they have also acquired a deeper appreciation for maintaining a healthy diet.
My favorite part about the community garden is, well, “the community.” I have met many of my gardening neighbors and I always enjoy seeing what everyone is growing and the interesting techniques that are being used. I love to ask people about their gardens and hear all the details.
I have been helping with the garden since we first reserved a plot, but I only recently became an ambassador for Vista Gardens. A small amount of coordination seems to make the experience much better for the other gardeners.
My favorite recent project was the shared herb garden that my daughter and I helped create. Gardeners can grab oregano, basil, mint, chives and other herbs from the shared garden and free up space from their personal plots for other items.
The various community gardens around Issaquah Highlands are great assets to our community. I am looking forward to being involved for many more years!
Dave with his family.
Dave is an Issaquah Highlands resident and a garden ambassador for Vista Gardens.
Are you inspired to get involved in the Issaquah Highlands community?
Opportunities are available!
Click here to discover all the different ways you can get involved in our Issaquah Highlands community, including opportunities to join boards and committees, as well as urgent needs at local nonprofits.
Questions? Contact Lindsey Pinkston, Highlands Council Executive Director.
