Rebuilding Vibrant Community One Joyful Gathering At a Time

A tour of the gardens led by Janeen Sands. Pictured L to R: Lenn Black (background), Lynn Stan, Angie Scheu, Evelyn Scheu, Marilyn Welker, Janeen Sands, David O’Brien, and Krishna Jayakar.
Photo courtesy of Janet McCumber.

On Sunday, October 19th, 2025, Simply Living members, friends, and supporters gathered for our Fall Gathering and Fundraiser. This was a warm, welcoming celebration of the season filled with delicious food, meaningful conversations, and hands-on learning. The event ran from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM and brought together many longtime community members as well as new faces eager to connect.

Guests to the Fall Gathering and Fundraiser enjoy good conversation and a delicious vegan meal.
Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu.

A Homemade, Local Vegan Feast

Guests were treated to a lovingly prepared vegan menu by Momma Can Cook vegan food truck owner Janeen Rogers, who crafted a delectable spread featuring BBQ Jackfruit Sliders with Coleslaw, “Mac-N-Cheesey”, Chickpea Curry Soup, Greek Gyros, and Banana Pudding. It was simply delicious!

Cold drinks on ice in the farm stand and hot spiced cider added a festive fall touch. Our shared meal created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encouraged guests to linger, chat, and savor every bite.

Exploring a Regenerative Homestead

Our gathering took place at the beautiful property of longtime Simply Living member Janeen Sands. Janeen has created a wide variety of learning opportunities for land keeping and sustainable living on her properties. Although rain was forecast throughout the day, the clouds parted in the afternoon, allowing guests to explore the land and enjoy a variety of tours and demonstrations, including:

A garden tour showcasing a wide variety of fruit and vegetable plantings
A peaceful wooded trail and labyrinth
Talks about solar energy and geothermal systems on the property
A wattle fence workshop
Composting systems and sustainable living practices

The setting provided a perfect backdrop for conversations about local resilience, renewable energy, and land stewardship. The property consists of 7 acres representing a glimpse into all of the possibilities regenerative living can offer.

Building Resilience With Cooke Road Urban Farm

Guests learned about Cooke Road Urban Farm, which is also located on the property. The farm is a thriving example of how urban agriculture can nourish both people and community. The farm harvests fresh produce from its on-site gardens and shares it freely with neighbors in need, ensuring that healthy, local food is accessible to everyone.

Beyond growing food, Cooke Road Urban Farm has hosted outdoor summer camps, community groups, and neighborhood celebrations. Full Moon Potlucks occur monthly around the fire pit. Groups can enjoy cooking outdoors together and sharing fresh meals with local ingredients.

Building Community Through Connection

Throughout the afternoon, attendees enjoyed lively conversations, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose. Simply Living board members Lynn Stan, Lenn Black, and Vilvi Vannak were in attendance, connecting with guests and celebrating the vibrant community that continues to grow around Simply Living’s mission.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Events like this are only possible through the generosity and dedication of our volunteers and community members. We extend our deepest thanks to:

Janeen Sands, our host,
Bernadett Szabo, of Bernadett’s Farmacy and frequent course instructor at the Columbus Garden School
Jean Pitman, local artist and keeper of Cooke Road Urban Farm garden,
Carol Phillips Whitt, local artist,
Janeen Rogers, of Momma Can Cook vegan food truck,
Celia Kahle, of Firefly Garden Design,

all of whom contributed time, energy, and resources to make this Fall Gathering and Fundraiser a success.

Celia Kahle of Firefly Garden Design stands near one of the flower beds she designed.
Photo courtesy of Angie Scheu.

Staying Connected

The Fall Gathering is just one of many events that enables Simply Living to keep our community connected, inspires sustainable practices, and supports local businesses. Supporting Simply Living via this fundraiser and other events enables our team to continue programs, and create events, tours, and workshops – and we thank you for your generosity.

Enjoy the many resources Simply Living has to offer: