Farewell and best wishes to Laurel Atkinson!
Dec 7th, 2011 by Not Far From The Tree
[So much of Not Far From The Tree's success can be attributed to the dedication, hard work, and playfulness of Laurel Atkinson. She began as Parkdale/High Park Coordinator in 2009, helped out with Director duties when Laura was on maternity leave in 2010, and saw our fourth season through as Program Manager in 2011. These fruit picking adventures wouldn't have been the same without Laurel. We wish her the very best for her next adventures.]
The time has come for me to be moving on from my role as Program Manager. Knowing that I’ll always stay involved with Not Far From The Tree, in some way, shape or form, makes this a joyous and celebratory time for me as I reflect on my adventures of the past three years.
It’s easy for me to see how much my life has changed for the better by the people and (of course!) the fruit trees I’ve met. My “fruit goggles” are firmly planted on my face, and wherever I go in the city (or in the world), I see fruit everywhere. Seeing a fruit tree lights up my heart because I see possibility — not just bark and branches. I’ve come to see fruit trees as a promise of something more: the promise of community, friends, sharing, and an afternoon adventure. I see the promise of a more just society, and a greener environment.
There are too many people to thank in one short blog post. There are people who began as volunteers but are now friends; there are fruit tree owners who started as words in a database but became inspirations; and, of course, there are my colleagues who have shared their inspiration, passion, and laughter on a daily basis.
Thanks, folks, for making my time as Program Manager with Not Far From The Tree a time like no other, and for giving me countless opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. There’s a small fruit tree in my heart, planted firmly and growing vigorously.
Thank you so much Laurel for your dedication, organizing skills, creativity and enthusiasm – you made volunteering for NFFTT a pleasure. You will be so missed!
Laurel,
You will be missed!! It has been such a pleasure to work/volunteer with you in the last year and a bit! I hope that I will see you around the Parkdale/High Park ward, either volunteering for a pick or biking around!!
All the best to you in your endeavors!
Avery
Laurel – I never met you and you haven’t picked the trees I’ve registered because the fruit was not good this year – but I appreciate your words, commend your spirit and hard work and wish you the best in all your endeavours.
Laurel! It’s been amazing working with you. Making the Good Evidence video on NFFTT was an incredible pleasure, ease and fun times because of you. Wish you all the best! And stay in touch.
- Noah
Laurel, thanks for your part in the NFFTT opportunity, and for having an open ear! See you under a tree somewhere.
bye for now,
Steve H
All the best Laurel. Your friends at the Ben Nobleman Community Orchard wish you well and thank you for your support in the past. We hope we’ll see you in the Orchard!
Suzanne
I wish you all the best Laurel! It has been amazing working with you. I’m sure you’ll take your wonderful enthusiasm wherever you decide to go!
“Don’t say goodbye, say so long”
Rebecca
I was totally grateful for you taking my call to pick our crabapple tree in good time before the wasps swarmed around the windfalls. Best of luck in your future endeavours.
Thank you for taking care of my friend’s elderberries this past summer, it was a pleasure to coordinate it with you. I was very much looking forward to meeting you in person next spring when my own apricot tree is due for another bumper crop… All the very best with whatever you do next; I have a feeling that you will make a positive impact there as well : )
It won’t be the same without you- good thing you just live around the corner!
Laurel, it was always a pleasure to work with you; your presence will be missed. I’m sure wherever you go you will be doing exciting, important work – hopefully, our paths will cross again. Best of luck in your future endeavours!
Laurel, it’s been amazing. Your humour and energy were always inspiring and it was awesome working with/around/next to you. Wherever you’re off to next, I hope we continue to run into each other (We better!)
All the best for the future!
It was great to work with you Laurel – best of luck in whatever comes next. There’s always another tree to climb!
Thanks for all that you’ve shared with us, Laurel. I’ve appreciated your good humour, your positiveness, your enthusiasm, and your encouragement. You’ve had a way of making me feel special and that my contributions are important, so a big thank you for that. Good luck with whatever you’re on to next (you will let us know, I hope!)!
Hey Laurel,
Sad to hear you leaving NFFTT. It was great meeting you through my data entry experience and hopefully the organization prospers from not only my little contribution, but more importantly your large ones. Wish you the best and Happy Holidays!