Giving Back To Communities

I

f you read the newsletter from front to put the puzzle pieces together.
areas is made up of gravel, mats, dirt,
to back, then you already know we’re LGI Homes is currently building aand lots of weeds. Adding a paved path
proud to call ourselves a communidevelopment called Sunset Village, east will make it safer, wheel-chair accessible
ty-based garden. This month, we proud- of 190th and south of Richey Road, so
and smooth enough for volunteer Mikely add LGI Homes to our Garden family. they focused on Gresham for this year’s Henke’s motorized scooter.
According to their website: In 2016,
community service work. Through theThis project has been on our radar for
the LGI Giving initiative was established. goodwill of the City of Gresham, oura couple years, so much so that we had“The mission of LGI Giving exemplifies
garden was given to LGI Homes as apurchased some pavers and will recyour Core Values by supporting commu- good service project. When Jim Card was cle others from the Touchstone paver
nities financially and through voluncontacted by LGI Homes, he immediately campaign.
teerism, strengthening our local relasaid, “Yes, we have a project for you.”
In preparation, Chuck Page and othertionships and demonstrating loyalty. In
The project: installing pavers aroundvolunteers have graded the site, readyother words – we want to empower our the backside of the Resource Center. This ing it for LGI employees on September
employees to make an impact in local
area is where we have our shadehouse
22nd.
communities.”and our greenhouse, and sometimes“LGI Homes has contributed overconduct classes. The walkway to these$2,500,000 in corporate, non-profit
sponsorships and donated over 20,000
employee service hours. We have collaborated with several non-profit organizations over the years. We strive to makean even more significant impact as ourcompany continues to grow. From constructing fences and cleaning up parks,
organizing food drives and volunteering
at children’s clubs, we are committed tobeing a positive presence in the communities we build.”“One of the best days of the year at
LGI Homes is our annual service event,Service Impact Day. We close all offices
nationwide for one day, focus turns awayfrom sales and closings as we dedicate
the entire day to giving back. Every LGI
employee spends the day volunteeringin the local community. We are proud tosupport this event and make a differIKEBANA: Tues., Sept. 6, 1-3pm
ence year after year.”Workshops

The Gresham Japanese Garden is thisyear’s recipient of LGI Home’s Service
Impact Day. If you’re wondering how
and why LGI Homes picked GJG, we did
too! Unfortunately, we couldn’t get aninterview set up in time for the publication, but needless to say, we were able

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/ikebana-for-the-season/

ORIGAMI: Mon., Sept. 12, 6-7:15pm

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/family-origami-folding/

BONSAI: Thurs., Sept 15th & Sat., Sept. 18, 1-3pm

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/art-of-bonsai/

Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Sue Hughes, Mary Taylor, and Mary Dickson. Photos by Bill Peterson.

September 2022

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

Our Deepest Bow…

T

ypically an organizations
celebrates
a 10-year
anniversary during
its tenth year. The
Gresham Japanese
Garden was so busy lastyear putting on cultural events, building a
restroom, maintaining all
the spaces in the Garden,and yes, the pandemic kept us concerned about hosting an large event, so
we missed the window.
Now, it’s eleven years since Jim Card

and Tomiko
Takeuchi firstlooked at the
Tsuru Islandand decided
to “rebirth”
the neglected garden.
On September 8th,
GJG is hosting a “10 +1 Garden Celebration” and has invited the amazing
people, businesses, city staff, and volunteers who have helped rebuild the pathto the Garden’s success. It has taken the

PHOTOGRAPHER’S VIEW

短夜や 夢も現も 同じこと
Mizika-yo ya/ Yume mo utsutsu
mo / Onazi koto
The short summer night, The
dream and real, Are same things.
- Takahama Kyoshi (1874-1959)

generosity of many of you to make theJapanese garden a gem for everyone toenjoy. Our deepest bow. Domo arigato
gozaimasu.

The Mural Garden Gets a Name

“Planting Peace” Set for September 19
by Mary DicksonOT

he mural is almost complete and Brown. We told him about our organizathe garden in front of it has been tion’s mission—to serve our community.
named! We like to name ourDr. Brown suggested “Kyōdō.” According
spaces as an opportunity to honor an
to the Kenky-usha Japanese-English
important place or concept: Tsuru Island dictionary. This word means “coopera(original name given to the Greshamtion, collaboration, partnership, union,
Japanese Garden), Ebetsu Plaza (honcommunity,” a perfect description of ouroring Gresham’s Sister City), Ambleside mission.
Annex (reminding us of Gresham’s oldest
this word means “cooperation,neighborhoods and where most of thecollaboration, partnership, union,
mature trees came from), and now thecommunity,” a perfect description
garden in front of the mural.
of our mission
We contacted the man who helped Jim
Card rename Tsuru Island, Dr. Kendall

Ask Jim!

The name makes perfect sense when
you see the many volunteers beautifying
the space in front of the mural on Saturday mornings, the cooperative efforts toplan and create the mural itself, as wellas the city and businesses who worked
with us.
When the City of Gresham installs a newdoor on the garage, the kanji symbol for
Kyodo will be permanently added.

Riverview Bank Donations

GARDENER’S TIP
After we’ve gotten some fall rain, aerate
and fertilize your lawn using organic
fertilizer to extent possible.
As garden plants die back, compost
them or simply chop them in pieces andbury them in your garden bed.
You can also divide peonies and plant
trees and bulbs for next spring’s blossoming.
Your potatoes and squash should beready to harvest.
— Jim Buck, Garden Volunteer
and Organic GardenerThis month’s Ask Jim! is a series of four
videos related to watering your plants andlawn. Jim covers the watering of container
plants, drip irrigation systems, and aboveground sprinkler heads.
If you have a plant or water question, Ask
Jim! at https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/ask-jim/.

Each month Gresham Riverview Bank
chooses a different non-profit to sponsor by
putting out donation boxes at their teller
windows. Gresham Japanese Garden has
been chosen for the month of September.
Thank you Riverview Bank.

ne tiny seed and one very small
lady bring life to the Gresham
Japanese Garden in the form ofa Peace Tree. As noted in the December
2021 Tsuru Soars, the Garden received
a ginkgo biloba seedling, one of over
50 now planted throughout our state.
According to Jim Buck, who has cared for
Hideko Tamura Snider
the tree since he got it about a year ago,speaks about her expeit is healthy, though hasn’t grown much,riences as a 10-year-old
probably because it is still in a pot.
after the atomic bomb
was dropped on HiroThe Peace Tree project originated withshima, Japan, in 1945.
Future home of a ginkgo Hiroshima Peace Tree in Main City Park, maintained by
the One Sunny Day Initiative, started
Friends of Gresham Japanese Garden
by Hideko Tamura Snider, who was a
10-year-old living in Hiroshima when the the public, and everyone is welcome to scaping plan for the area, incorporating
United State dropped the nuclear bomb attend.
plants aligned with Japanese landscapeon that city in 1945. Amazingly, despite
design, including shrubs, grasses, curPreparing the site has required about
140,000 people dying, she survived, as
93 hours of volunteer time, according to rant, and heather, plant materials that
did a few ginkgo and persimmon trees
provide color during all
Jim Buck. The task was difficult because
within the blast zone. As a survivor, she the area had to be cleared of salal andseasons.
is called a hibakusha. The trees are called Oregon grape plants with dense roots.
Jim says, “within the“survivor trees,” hibakujumoku. A number The plants were carefully dug up so theyplant kingdom, thereof years ago, seeds were collected from could be transplanted into other parts
are five divisions withthe survivor trees and have now beenover 300,000 speciesof the garden. A stone path leads to thesent around the world and grown asof seed-bearing plants.
tree’s new home.
Peace Trees.
At the base of the tree, visitors will find The ginkgo is one division and it’s the
Hideko moved to the US, went toonly species in its division, because of its
a plaque from Ms. Tamura Snider, whocollege, married an American, worked
serves as a Peace Ambassador to the City uniqueness. It’s the oldest living plant
as a psychiatric social worker, receivedof Hiroshima. The plaque will include QR specimen, from the time of the dinoan honorary doctorate, and now lives in codes so that visitors can use their cellsaurs. It takes about 15 years for it to
Medford, Oregon. She speaks all over the phones to get more information about
mature, and until then, we won’t know
world on behalf of peace and the elimi- One Sunny Day’s various educational
if it’s male or female! If it produces fruit,nation of nuclear weapons. The mission initiatives. Hideko Tamura Snider has
it’s female. If it only produces pollen, it’sof the One Sunny Day Initiative is tomale.” Read December 2021’s first Peace
written a children’s picture book aboutplant seeds of universal peace, hope, and creating peace in the world called When Tree newsletter article: https://www.
reconciliation.
a Peace Tree Blooms, a “story of affirma- greshamjapanesegarden.org/wp-conThe tree’s new home, called the Peacetent/uploads/2021/11/Tsuru_Soars_tion for human resilience and a choice
Garden, across from Ambleside Annex
toward enduring peace through recon- dec-online.pdf.
at the south end of Main City Park, will
Oregon has one of the largest collecciliation,” according to the One Sunnybe officially dedicated on September
tions of Hiroshima peace trees of any
Day Initiative’s website.
19, from 10 to 11am. David Hedburg, astate or nation outside Japan. You can
A second plaque will identify thefilmmaker who captured the transfer of groups that worked together to bringvisit others throughout the state. The
the tree to Jim Buck from Jim Gersbach the Peace Tree to GJG. They are: Urban
location list is at: https://www.oregon.
of the Oregon Department of Forestry
Forestry Sub Committee, Gresham Butte gov/odf/forestbenefits/Pages/hiroshiand has documented many of the Peace Neighborhood Assoc., City of Gresham, ma-peace-trees.aspx.
Tree installations around Oregon, will
Please join us on September 19th atand Gresham Japanese Garden.
film the ceremony. This event is open to
10am for the dedication.
Steve Stevens has donated the land-

The Mural Garden Gets a Name

“Planting Peace” Set for September 19
by Mary DicksonOT

he mural is almost complete and Brown. We told him about our organizathe garden in front of it has been tion’s mission—to serve our community.
named! We like to name ourDr. Brown suggested “Kyōdō.” According
spaces as an opportunity to honor an
to the Kenky-usha Japanese-English
important place or concept: Tsuru Island dictionary. This word means “coopera(original name given to the Greshamtion, collaboration, partnership, union,
Japanese Garden), Ebetsu Plaza (honcommunity,” a perfect description of ouroring Gresham’s Sister City), Ambleside mission.
Annex (reminding us of Gresham’s oldest
this word means “cooperation,neighborhoods and where most of thecollaboration, partnership, union,
mature trees came from), and now thecommunity,” a perfect description
garden in front of the mural.
of our mission
We contacted the man who helped Jim
Card rename Tsuru Island, Dr. Kendall

Ask Jim!

The name makes perfect sense when
you see the many volunteers beautifying
the space in front of the mural on Saturday mornings, the cooperative efforts toplan and create the mural itself, as wellas the city and businesses who worked
with us.
When the City of Gresham installs a newdoor on the garage, the kanji symbol for
Kyodo will be permanently added.

Riverview Bank Donations

GARDENER’S TIP
After we’ve gotten some fall rain, aerate
and fertilize your lawn using organic
fertilizer to extent possible.
As garden plants die back, compost
them or simply chop them in pieces andbury them in your garden bed.
You can also divide peonies and plant
trees and bulbs for next spring’s blossoming.
Your potatoes and squash should beready to harvest.
— Jim Buck, Garden Volunteer
and Organic GardenerThis month’s Ask Jim! is a series of four
videos related to watering your plants andlawn. Jim covers the watering of container
plants, drip irrigation systems, and aboveground sprinkler heads.
If you have a plant or water question, Ask
Jim! at https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/ask-jim/.

Each month Gresham Riverview Bank
chooses a different non-profit to sponsor by
putting out donation boxes at their teller
windows. Gresham Japanese Garden has
been chosen for the month of September.
Thank you Riverview Bank.

ne tiny seed and one very small
lady bring life to the Gresham
Japanese Garden in the form ofa Peace Tree. As noted in the December
2021 Tsuru Soars, the Garden received
a ginkgo biloba seedling, one of over
50 now planted throughout our state.
According to Jim Buck, who has cared for
Hideko Tamura Snider
the tree since he got it about a year ago,speaks about her expeit is healthy, though hasn’t grown much,riences as a 10-year-old
probably because it is still in a pot.
after the atomic bomb
was dropped on HiroThe Peace Tree project originated withshima, Japan, in 1945.
Future home of a ginkgo Hiroshima Peace Tree in Main City Park, maintained by
the One Sunny Day Initiative, started
Friends of Gresham Japanese Garden
by Hideko Tamura Snider, who was a
10-year-old living in Hiroshima when the the public, and everyone is welcome to scaping plan for the area, incorporating
United State dropped the nuclear bomb attend.
plants aligned with Japanese landscapeon that city in 1945. Amazingly, despite
design, including shrubs, grasses, curPreparing the site has required about
140,000 people dying, she survived, as
93 hours of volunteer time, according to rant, and heather, plant materials that
did a few ginkgo and persimmon trees
provide color during all
Jim Buck. The task was difficult because
within the blast zone. As a survivor, she the area had to be cleared of salal andseasons.
is called a hibakusha. The trees are called Oregon grape plants with dense roots.
Jim says, “within the“survivor trees,” hibakujumoku. A number The plants were carefully dug up so theyplant kingdom, thereof years ago, seeds were collected from could be transplanted into other parts
are five divisions withthe survivor trees and have now beenover 300,000 speciesof the garden. A stone path leads to thesent around the world and grown asof seed-bearing plants.
tree’s new home.
Peace Trees.
At the base of the tree, visitors will find The ginkgo is one division and it’s the
Hideko moved to the US, went toonly species in its division, because of its
a plaque from Ms. Tamura Snider, whocollege, married an American, worked
serves as a Peace Ambassador to the City uniqueness. It’s the oldest living plant
as a psychiatric social worker, receivedof Hiroshima. The plaque will include QR specimen, from the time of the dinoan honorary doctorate, and now lives in codes so that visitors can use their cellsaurs. It takes about 15 years for it to
Medford, Oregon. She speaks all over the phones to get more information about
mature, and until then, we won’t know
world on behalf of peace and the elimi- One Sunny Day’s various educational
if it’s male or female! If it produces fruit,nation of nuclear weapons. The mission initiatives. Hideko Tamura Snider has
it’s female. If it only produces pollen, it’sof the One Sunny Day Initiative is tomale.” Read December 2021’s first Peace
written a children’s picture book aboutplant seeds of universal peace, hope, and creating peace in the world called When Tree newsletter article: https://www.
reconciliation.
a Peace Tree Blooms, a “story of affirma- greshamjapanesegarden.org/wp-conThe tree’s new home, called the Peacetent/uploads/2021/11/Tsuru_Soars_tion for human resilience and a choice
Garden, across from Ambleside Annex
toward enduring peace through recon- dec-online.pdf.
at the south end of Main City Park, will
Oregon has one of the largest collecciliation,” according to the One Sunnybe officially dedicated on September
tions of Hiroshima peace trees of any
Day Initiative’s website.
19, from 10 to 11am. David Hedburg, astate or nation outside Japan. You can
A second plaque will identify thefilmmaker who captured the transfer of groups that worked together to bringvisit others throughout the state. The
the tree to Jim Buck from Jim Gersbach the Peace Tree to GJG. They are: Urban
location list is at: https://www.oregon.
of the Oregon Department of Forestry
Forestry Sub Committee, Gresham Butte gov/odf/forestbenefits/Pages/hiroshiand has documented many of the Peace Neighborhood Assoc., City of Gresham, ma-peace-trees.aspx.
Tree installations around Oregon, will
Please join us on September 19th atand Gresham Japanese Garden.
film the ceremony. This event is open to
10am for the dedication.
Steve Stevens has donated the land-Giving Back To Communities

I

f you read the newsletter from front to put the puzzle pieces together.
areas is made up of gravel, mats, dirt,
to back, then you already know we’re LGI Homes is currently building aand lots of weeds. Adding a paved path
proud to call ourselves a communidevelopment called Sunset Village, east will make it safer, wheel-chair accessible
ty-based garden. This month, we proud- of 190th and south of Richey Road, so
and smooth enough for volunteer Mikely add LGI Homes to our Garden family. they focused on Gresham for this year’s Henke’s motorized scooter.
According to their website: In 2016,
community service work. Through theThis project has been on our radar for
the LGI Giving initiative was established. goodwill of the City of Gresham, oura couple years, so much so that we had“The mission of LGI Giving exemplifies
garden was given to LGI Homes as apurchased some pavers and will recyour Core Values by supporting commu- good service project. When Jim Card was cle others from the Touchstone paver
nities financially and through voluncontacted by LGI Homes, he immediately campaign.
teerism, strengthening our local relasaid, “Yes, we have a project for you.”
In preparation, Chuck Page and othertionships and demonstrating loyalty. In
The project: installing pavers aroundvolunteers have graded the site, readyother words – we want to empower our the backside of the Resource Center. This ing it for LGI employees on September
employees to make an impact in local
area is where we have our shadehouse
22nd.
communities.”and our greenhouse, and sometimes“LGI Homes has contributed overconduct classes. The walkway to these$2,500,000 in corporate, non-profit
sponsorships and donated over 20,000
employee service hours. We have collaborated with several non-profit organizations over the years. We strive to makean even more significant impact as ourcompany continues to grow. From constructing fences and cleaning up parks,
organizing food drives and volunteering
at children’s clubs, we are committed tobeing a positive presence in the communities we build.”“One of the best days of the year at
LGI Homes is our annual service event,Service Impact Day. We close all offices
nationwide for one day, focus turns awayfrom sales and closings as we dedicate
the entire day to giving back. Every LGI
employee spends the day volunteeringin the local community. We are proud tosupport this event and make a differIKEBANA: Tues., Sept. 6, 1-3pm
ence year after year.”Workshops

The Gresham Japanese Garden is thisyear’s recipient of LGI Home’s Service
Impact Day. If you’re wondering how
and why LGI Homes picked GJG, we did
too! Unfortunately, we couldn’t get aninterview set up in time for the publication, but needless to say, we were able

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/ikebana-for-the-season/

ORIGAMI: Mon., Sept. 12, 6-7:15pm

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/family-origami-folding/

BONSAI: Thurs., Sept 15th & Sat., Sept. 18, 1-3pm

https://www.greshamjapanesegarden.org/art-of-bonsai/

Volunteer Newsletter Editors: Sue Hughes, Mary Taylor, and Mary Dickson. Photos by Bill Peterson.

September 2022

Tsuru Soars
Friends of the Gresham Japanese Garden Newsletter

Our Deepest Bow…

T

ypically an organizations
celebrates
a 10-year
anniversary during
its tenth year. The
Gresham Japanese
Garden was so busy lastyear putting on cultural events, building a
restroom, maintaining all
the spaces in the Garden,and yes, the pandemic kept us concerned about hosting an large event, so
we missed the window.
Now, it’s eleven years since Jim Card

and Tomiko
Takeuchi firstlooked at the
Tsuru Islandand decided
to “rebirth”
the neglected garden.
On September 8th,
GJG is hosting a “10 +1 Garden Celebration” and has invited the amazing
people, businesses, city staff, and volunteers who have helped rebuild the pathto the Garden’s success. It has taken the

PHOTOGRAPHER’S VIEW

短夜や 夢も現も 同じこと
Mizika-yo ya/ Yume mo utsutsu
mo / Onazi koto
The short summer night, The
dream and real, Are same things.
- Takahama Kyoshi (1874-1959)

generosity of many of you to make theJapanese garden a gem for everyone toenjoy. Our deepest bow. Domo arigato
gozaimasu.