This past summer, residents in Sewickley saw quite a bit of growth taking place on the campus- not with the construction of new buildings - but with garden plots cared for by several retirement living residents.

Last spring, residents expressed a desire to continue honing their agricultural skills. As a result, Landscape Supervisor Mark Gilmore located an ideal plot of ground and revved up the roto-tiller.

In a matter of months, residents were seeing the results of their hard work: flourishing flowers, fruits and vegetables, including corn, string beans, tomatoes and zucchini.

"I give a lot of the vegetables away," said resident Ray Loichinger. "I have always had a large garden, and everyone here at the village has been so congenial in providing this area for us."

Bro. Loichinger and his fellow resident gardeners were not the only ones with green thumbs. Executive Chef Jim Berekazi gently nurtured his herb garden to ensure that his recipes would be enhanced by the freshest spices possible. "There is nothing like fresh herbs to enhance flavor," Chef Jim said. "We have this great space to plant and Mark's expertise, so why not?"

Mark Gilmore, Landscape Supervisor, and Sewickley resident Ray Loichinger discuss the progress of Bro. Loichinger's tomato plants in his garden.