Jenny's Angel by D. L. Dennis

Author:D. L. Dennis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pacesetter Publishing

Chapter 16

THE GARDEN

On one end of the orphanage grounds, there was a large garden plot and a stand of fruit trees. Not only did the fruit trees and garden produce an abundance of fruit and vegetables for the orphanage children to have at their meals, but it also served as a place for learning and another way to raise funds. Mrs. Miller was a strong believer in using the garden plot and fruit trees as a place for learning. The children learned how vegetables were grown and how the trees blossomed and produced fruit. In addition to having fresh vegetables and fruit fixed a multitude of ways, the garden also saved the orphanage money by not having to purchase those items. Those who tended to the garden tried to grow enough produce to put in the cellar for the winter months, or for the kitchen staff to can.

Some of the children loved to work in the garden, but some were not necessarily fond of eating the vegetables they helped produce! Mrs. Miller had a rule that they had to take at least one bite of whatever was being served. If they did not like it, they did not have to eat any more. She was a wise woman and knew that as the children grew into adulthood, they would learn to like many things that as a child, they would turn their noses up at. Mrs. Miller wanted meal time to be a happy time for the children so she did not press the issue of eating foods they did not like. Dr. Carlson always declared the children amazingly healthy and that was Mrs. Miller’s goal.

All the children gathered in the dining room at the same time to have their meals together. When they heard the dinner bell, they knew it was meal time. The dining room was filled with round tables covered with tablecloths made of bright colored oil cloth. There were eight chairs around each table. Lined up against the wall at one end were a few high chairs for the babies and toddlers. Most of the time, the walls were decorated with art work made in the art classes.

Three times a year, a name card would be placed at each one of the chairs with a child’s name on it. The children were always excited to see who they were going to sit with for that four month period of time. There would be a mix of older children and younger children sitting at each table. Mrs. Miller felt that this was one way to encourage the children to make friends of all ages and not always be with one small group.

At each meal, large bowls of food were set on the tables along with pitchers of milk and water. The older children were expected to help the younger children fill their plates, cut up their meat, pour their drink, butter their bread and be a good example with their manners. This gave the children a feeling of “family.

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