On Saturday, June 22, Sweet Water Foundation hosted its Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration. The Commons was activated with music, performances, food, and arts + crafts as SWF welcomed hundreds of people to create, build, and celebrate freedom and community. This Juneteenth, SWF introduced The FIFTH Star to the Chicago flag. The star represents the many untold histories and truths as a reconciliatory platform for new beginnings (Learn more).
June was also jam-packed with volunteer days, SWF's first Yoga Session in the Lightbox Theater + Gallery, and the onset of Sweet Water Academy summer programming. This summer, SWF has welcomed new Apprentices and Fellows to The Commons. We invite you to read how The Commons is becoming more and more activated and look forward to welcoming you to The Commons this summer.
The Second Annual Juneteenth at The Commons was a true reflection of SWF’s vision to reroot, remember, rebuild, and restore community. The Commons was transformed into a vibrant festival atmosphere with live music, food, dance, public art exhibits, vendors, basketball, arts + crafts, and more.
The Second Annual Juneteenth Celebration at The Commons was also significant because Sweet Water Foundation introduced The FIFTH Star to the Chicago Flag during the event. The four stars of the Chicago flag each represent a significant moment in Chicago’s history - Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, and the Century of Progress Exposition of 1933–34.
The FIFTH Star represents the many untold histories and truths as a reconciliatory platform for new beginnings.
Meet Angela Ford...Angela has been in the SWF family since July of 2018. She grew up on the South side of Chicago and has a deep passion for family, tradition, and honoring her ancestors. Angela has spent time at The Commons documenting and sharing the story of the surrounding community and families by archiving pictures and documents found in the area. SWF is excited to feature Angela this month because her relationship with SWF demonstrates another dimension of Sweet Water Foundation that is not always talked about.
WEEKLY VOLUNTEER DAYS: Join the Sweet Water community this farming season! Each Wednesday from July 11 - July 31, SWF is looking for 10 volunteers to help us on the farm. Activities include: clearing out rows, tilling, laying down woodchips and soil, and weeding.
Harvest season is here! The weekly farmers' market at The Commons will run EVERY FRIDAY from 10 - 2. Come get fresh, local, and community-grown produce. Bring a bag!
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SAVE THE DATE: 2019 Harvest Celebration
Save-the-date for Sweet Water Foundation's Annual Harvest Celebration. Free food, music, arts + craft, community-building and more.
More Details To Come.
STAY TUNED FOR OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT
THE COMMONS
RECIPES
Mulberry Pie
This year at The Commons, we have begun to harvest more than just veggies from the farm and community garden beds. Spread across The Commons and the surrounding neighborhood, are mulberry trees. The trees produce fruit that looks and tastes similar to blackberries. This season, the Sweet Water team began to harvest mulberries and try out recipes. Mulberries are rich in vitamins and minerals and have a subtle sweet taste and a beautiful purple color. They can be eaten raw, added to smoothies, cooked down as a jelly, or baked into a delicious pie. We invite you to try your hand at baking this Mulberry Pie recipe by Elizabeth Minchilli from Eating My Way Through Italy. Add a scoop of ice cream for the perfect summer treat!
Got Rain Barrels?
Help us reduce our water usage buy donating an unused rain barrel and/or purchasing a new rain barrel. Click the image above to purchase the best priced rain barrels, as recommended by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.
