Vol. 2 Issue 1
Newsletter
Date
This Program
is sponsored by
Volume 1, Issue 1
Got Lettuce!
Arthur & Friends has been hard at work setting up the greenhouse at Maple Farm in Wantage,
NJ! It took months of work to get the greenhouse set up for our hydroponic growing system with
the majority of the work focused on getting the floor level. The pictures at the left illustrate the
many stages of the transformation. We began with the greenhouse still full from the previous
years planting of tomatoes, squash and pepper plants in raised beds that had an underground
irrigation system, which had to be dismantled and removed. Next the floor had to be leveled and
pea gravel… 28 tons … had to be spread overtop of the surface.
It was an exciting day when the big green tractor trailer arrived from California with our system.
We had to unload the entire trailer by hand and then move everything to the greenhouse for
assembly. The next step was to put the 124’ of growing tables together, which six very
hardworking volunteers each gave many dozens of hours to the project. Then we discovered that
the tables were not truly level and everything had to come down. We started out thinking that
flat was level enough but as it turned out a hydroponic system requires that the floor be perfectly
level from end-to-end and sided to side. We were off by 12” from the front of the greenhouse to
the back and 6” from side-to-side. A bit discouraged, we began the re-leveling process.
Continues on page 2
Why Hire People with Disabilities?
There are many compelling reasons to
hire people with disabilities. Many
businesses report that the experience of
working with people with disabilities
increases every employee’s morale and
productivity. Why? Because they possess a
“culture of humor” and impart that culture
into the workforce.
tasks others may take for granted. Additionally
they are technology innovators because they
have to be.
Loyalty and gratefulness are sterling
characteristics that all employers seek, yet
seldom find in their staff. Employees with
disabilities have proved to be dependable,
dedicated, hardworking and productive
employees.
By raising awareness that your company is a
disability-friendly business, you will attract
job candidates and new customers. A recent
study from the University of Massachusetts
Boston's Center for Social Development &
Education (2006) reports," overwhelmingly
positive attitudes among consumers toward
socially responsible companies, and in
particular toward those that hire individuals
with disabilities. Specifically, 92 percent of
consumers surveyed felt more favorable
toward companies that hire individuals with
Where workers often shun routine-based
tasks, individuals with disabilities prove to
be effective, efficient and target-based and
happy to see their success in a job well-done!
People with disabilities possess valuable
problem-solving skills because they are
experts in finding creative ways to perform
This amazing group of people, though diverse
in so many ways all know how to overcome
challenges and even more importantly how to
stay calm in a situation.
Continues on page 5
Page 2 of 8
Greenhouse News
Got Lettuce! … Continued from page 1
By mid-June we were finally be able to
plant our first seeds and began harvesting
our first lettuce in mid July.
With the help of our volunteers and
“Friends” we’ now have Lettuce for sale!
Currently there 14 “friends” a dozen hard
working volunteers who give their time
regularly and over 52 committed individuals
that are ready when we need assistance. We
have 48 people on our “Friends” waiting
list… all eager to participate in our training
program.
In October as the cold winds began to blow,
the wonderful directors of the State Fair
Grounds in Augusta came to the farm to see
our progress. They were amazed and
delighted to see the greenhouse filled with
beautiful lettuce and agreed to let us to
move our entire operation to the quarteracre greenhouse at the State Fair grounds
where heat, level floors and state-of-the-art
ventilation was available. Arthur & Friends
especially want to acknowledge Brian
Naftal, who first learned about Arthur &
Friends when he attended the fair, this past
August. Like many curious people he asked
to come for a visit and see what we were doing.
We love visitors and set a time on the Saturday
right after we had heard that we were moving.
He asked, “What do you need next?” My
husband said, “ We need a truck!”
Brian replied “ I have a box truck and if you
can get some people to help… I bring it up and
help you move!” The very next Sunday, 25
people showed up at 8:00 in the morning and
loaded Brian’s HUGE box truck and moved
everything to our new location at the State Fair
Grounds in Augusta, New Jersey.
We were excited and with the help of
volunteers, “Friends” and their families and
students from Pass-It-Along in less then six
hours we were moved and back in business.
Please check out our “Heroes” column we have
so many people to be thankful to for all their
support, help, donation and encouragement
So now as the cold winds of January blow we
are warm in our new greenhouse and growing
acres of produce. Be sure to check out the list
of available items in this newsletter.
Helping a disabled person
House chores are often on the bottom of everyone's to-do list. So when a disabled family
member or friend needs assistance, we often prefer to let someone else help out with that
person's housework since we usually have enough of our own. But cleaning, washing, and
sweeping need not become time-intensive tasks. 1. Work the chores into your schedule.
If you are visiting a disabled person on a regular basis, ask which day would be best for
you to come early or stay late, probably no more than an hour or so. Then find out what
type of supplies or equipment you will need to handle a few clean-up chores. Make a list
and take those things with you so you will be all ready to get into action when the time
comes. 2. Don't make the disabled person feel like a nuisance. Remain cheerful and
enjoy your visit before or after your housework. Make the socialization the center of your
visit and let the work be a marginal issue. Don't insist on doing anything the friend does
not want you to. Don't leave cleaning supplies or equipment out where your disabled
loved one might trip over them later. 3. Work smart. Let a load of laundry wash while
you clean up the dishes. Sweep the floor after gathering trash, and then take out the
garbage when you leave. Don't plan to do too much or you will end up spending too much
time on chores and perhaps make your host feel guilty. 4. Clean up after your work. Put
all cleaning products away. Make sure all surfaces, and especially uncarpeted floors, are
dry before you let the disabled person walk on them. Fold and put away clothes and towels
so they will be available when needed. 5. Follow the disabled person's directions. Even
though you may feel as though you have a better way of handling things, remember that
this is your host's house, and things should be done according to his or her wishes. Of
course, if the person's preferences are vastly different from yours or you are unable to do
things as he or she wishes, let that task go for someone else to do.
Greenhouse News
Page 3 of 8
ARUGULA AND RICOTTA PESTO
Makes 1 1/2 cups, enough for 1 lb of pasta. Note that when adding any pesto to
cooked pasta it is important to include three or four tablespoons of the cooked
pasta water for proper consistency and even distribution. This pesto can be kept
in the refrigerator for up to three days if covered with a sheet of plastic wrap or
a thin film of oil.
INGREDIENTS
3 medium cloves garlic , unpeeled
! cup pine nuts (or walnuts or almonds)
1 cup arugula (packed), washed and dried thoroughly
1 cup fresh parsley leaves (packed), washed and dried thoroughly
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Table salt and ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Toast garlic in small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking pan occasionally,
until softened and spotty brown, about 8 minutes; when cool, remove and
discard skins. While garlic cools, toast nuts in skillet over medium heat, stirring
frequently, until golden and fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Place arugula and parsley in heavy-duty, quart-sized, zipper-lock plastic bag;
bruise all leaves with meat pounder.
3. In work bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade, process garlic, nuts,
arugula, parsley, and oil until smooth, stopping as necessary to scrape down
sides of bowl. Transfer mixture to small bowl and stir in cheeses; season to taste
with salt and pepper.
Recommended by John Franz…
Arthur & Friends’ Executive Chef
Do you routinely toss fresh
lettuce and herbs because
they've gone bad before
you've gotten a chance to use
them? Keep them fresher,
longer by storing them in
vases of water, bouquet-style.
Here's how:
Select a clean vase or glass with
a mouth wide enough to
accommodate the bunch of
herbs. Make sure the container
you choose is deep enough to
hold the stems, but not so deep
that the herb leaves will be
submerged underwater.
Add at least 1 to 2 inches of
water to the vase. Let the depth
and shape of the vase guide you
-- the object is to provide
enough water to keep the herbs
fresh, and to make sure the herb
roots can reach the water.
Remove any leaves that would
fall below the waterline..
Place the plants in the vase, and
set the vase near a window or in
a well-lit area. Sun-loving herbs
like basil can be stored this way
at room temperature. If you
prefer to refrigerate your herbs,
tent a plastic bag over the vase.
This beautiful Arugula has so much more
flavor that what you typically find in the
stores…and yes that is what 10oz of
Arthur & Friends’ Arugula looks like!
This program is funded, in part, by a generous
grant from the Kessler Foundation and we are
extremely grateful for their support!
Caring for your
Hydro Produce
Arthur & Friends is sponsored by
Kessler Foundation is a public charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with
physical disabilities caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, injuries to the brain and spinal
cord, and other chronic conditions.
The Foundation’s approach is twofold—supporting rehabilitation research through the
Kessler Research Center and preparing individuals for the workplace through the
Kessler Program Center. Through its Research Center, the Foundation achieves steady
scientific gains in ways to improve physical rehabilitation. Through its Program
Center, the Foundation provides support that ensures vocational training and placement
opportunities for people with disabilities in our communities.
This technique works best with
plants that still have roots
attached like our hydo-plants,
which thrive particularly well,
and will sometimes send new
roots into the water. Another
advantage -- since you'll see and
smell the herbs, you're more
likely to use them than if they
were languishing in the fridge
drawer. Enjoy!
Page 4 of 8
Greenhouse News
What’s for Sale @ Arthur & Friends
Fresh Herb Bouquet: Enjoy 20 oz (5 oz.
each) of the most popular herbs: Parsley,
Basil, Cilantro and Arugula. These herbs
are provided with their roots intact so that
you can place them in water in a sunny
window and enjoy them for weeks.
Assorted Microgreens: Our microgreen
package is a blend of several tender herbs
and greens creating a fantastic array of
colors and textures with sensational
opportunities to enhance the finest dishes.
Chefs who appreciate using MicroGreens
will find tremendous culinary versatility
with our products. These are much more
substantial in structure and flavor and add
a very sophisticated touch to any entrée
including deserts.
Swiss Chard has shiny green ribbed
leaves, with stems that range from white
to yellow and red depending on the
cultivar. It has a slightly bitter taste. Fresh
young chard can be used raw in salads.
Mature chard leaves and stalks are
typically cooked or sautéed; the bitter
flavor fades with cooking.
Kale is considered to be a highly
nutritious vegetable with powerful
antioxidant properties and is antiinflammatory Kale is very high in beta
carotene, vitamin K, vitamin C, lutein,
zeaxanthin, and reasonably rich in
calcium. The beautiful leaves of the kale
plant provide an earthy flavor and more
nutritional value for fewer calories than
almost any other food around.
Bibb Butterhead often referred to simply
as butter lettuce, encompasses both the
Boston and Bibb (often referred to as
limestone) varieties. Butterhead lettuces
consist of small heads with soft, supple,
"buttery- textured" leaves renowned for
their delicate flavor. Although often
referred to and used interchangeably,
Bibb and Boston possess unique
characteristics. Boston lettuce tends to be
larger, more tender, sweeter and milder.
Bibb lettuce has smaller leaves that are
slightly darker with a more pronounced,
almost pungent, flavor.
Romaine lettuce grows in a long head of
sturdy leaves, which have a firm rib down
their centers. Not all lettuce is created
equal, but if you start your meal with a
salad made with this romaine lettuce you
will be sure to add not only a variety of
textures and flavors to your meal but an
enormous amount of nutritional value.
Romaine is the classic lettuce of choice for
Caesar salads.
Red Romaine The interior leaves are paler
in color, and more delicate in flavor. This
is a milder tasting variety with red tipped
leaves and a sweet romaine, which is even
sweeter than regular romaine. Romaine is
the classic lettuce of choice for Caesar
salads.
Red Oakleaf A leaf lettuce variety that has
long leaves with very ruffled edges that are
green toward the interior of the head and
are red on the outer portion of the head.
The leaves are tender and mildly flavored.
Asian Greens
Tatsoi A ground-hugging member of
the bok choy family, also known as
rosette bok choy for its conformation:
The round, thick, very dark green
leaves grow in tight, concentric circles
like rose petals. With its slightly bitter
flavor, tatsoi is excellent raw (when
young) in salads, and adds spark to
Asian-style soups when tossed in at
the last minute.
Choho Tasty and versatile all season
Asian cut and come again green. Its
dark green semi savoyed leaves can be
used in salads, stir fries or pickled.
Pak Choi has 6 to 8 inch tall green
vase shaped - heads with broad, pale
green crunchy leaf stalks that contrast
handsomely with their dark green
leaves. The heads grow multiple stalks
that form an urn shape. Pak Choi has a
slightly sweet, very mild cabbage
flavor and very juicy stalks. Separate
and chop both stalks and leaves to use
and stir fry with scallions, fresh ginger
and garlic, then finishing with soy or
Thai peanut sauce
Continues on Page 7
Brian Blanchard
Carolyn Swayze
Greenhouse News
Why Hire the Disabled
disabilities, and 87 percent
said they would prefer to give
their business to such
companies. Among those
surveyed, hiring people with
disabilities ranked third behind
offering health insurance to all
employees and protecting the
"environment as an indicator of
a company's commitment to
social justice."
By actively recruiting, hiring
and promoting workers with
disabilities companywide, and
building strategic alliances
with the disability community,
businesses send a powerful
message that results in a
stronger workforce and
increased numbers of
customers. By weaving an
accessible welcome mat for
employees and customers with
disabilities, and activating a
disability- inclusive diversity
policy, companies can sharpen
their competitive edge and
build brand loyalty by tapping
this emerging $1 trillion
market segment.
Page 5 of 8
continued from page 1
Top 10 Reasons to Hire People with Disabilities
1. Employees with disabilities can ease concerns about labor supply.
2. People with disabilities have equal or higher job performance ratings, higher
retention rates and lower absenteeism.
3. Employees with disabilities can relate better to customers with disabilities, who
represent $1 trillion in annual aggregate consumer spending.
4. Diverse work groups can create better solutions to business challenges.
5. People with disabilities are better educated than ever, and are proven to have met
and/or exceeded challenges.
6. A person with a disability motivates work groups and increases productivity.
7. Companies that hire and accommodate people with disabilities in their workplaces
can receive tax benefits.
8. Employing people with disabilities is good for the individual, the business, and
society. This is a "win-win-win" strategy.
9. People with disabilities are motivated by the desire to give something back, and by
opportunities for personal growth, job flexibility and social inclusion.
10. It's ability, not disability that counts.
Looking ahead…
Sustainability …Because hydroponic farming requires less water and less land than traditional field farming, researchersturned-growers in some U.S. cities see it as ideal to bring agriculture to apartment buildings, rooftops and vacant lots. The
goal is to look at growing food crops in small spaces.
Long a niche technology existing in the shadow of conventional growing methods, hydroponics is getting a second look
from university researchers and public health advocates. Supporters point to the environmental cost of trucking produce from
farms to cities, the loss of wilderness for farmland to feed a growing world population, and the risk of bacteria along
extensive, insecure food chains as reasons for establishing urban hydroponic farms. The roots of hydroponically produced
fruits and vegetables can dangle in direct contact with water or be set in growing media such as sponges or shredded coconut
shells. Most commercial operations pump water through sophisticated sensors that automatically adjust nutrient and acidity
levels in the water. Hydroponics are generally used for fast-growing, high-value crops such as lettuces and tomatoes that can
be produced year-round in heated, well-lit greenhouses. So far, production is not large enough for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture to track.
The country's largest hydroponic greenhouse is Eurofresh Inc.'s 274-acre operation in southeastern Arizona, where more
than 200 million pounds of tomatoes were produced in 2008. Most large-scale commercial operations are in the arid
Southwest, where water-efficiency is prized, or the sometimes-frigid Northeast, where the method can be used year-round in
heated greenhouses. Arthur & Friends is looking forward to expansion in 2009…
Page 6 of 8
Greenhouse News
Message from the Project Director
I do not have the words to express the incredible gratitude I am feeling to all of you
for believing in Arthur & Friends... for taking a dream and making it a reality. Arthur said to
me that for the first time in his life he feels hopeful and happy about his future... In his
words "be true to your dreams and you will be a star in your own destiny." These are
profound words indeed.
I cried on the way home from a NORWESCAP golf outing, as Arthur talked non-stop about
how "genuine" everyone's support is. That people talked more to him as a person than ever
before. He was no longer the man with Down Syndrome but now he was a man who would
make the world a better place and who had found his place in the world.
The value of a life
with disabilities
Most of society sees
people with
disabilities as persons
who are flawed,
pitiful and without
dignity. But we see
In speaking with his mother that night she remarked that she has never heard such joy and
happiness in his voice ... ever. She said he looked like he had grown two inches... standing
tall and sharing the wonderful experiences of the day.
I realized too that the first part of our mission... to change the perception of people with
disabilities... was accomplished... 95 people saw beyond his disability...a person with
abilities, intelligence, humor and a true heart.
Arthur's amazing ability to remember everyone's name blew me away... Ken said this, Pat
said this... Terry that and Mike said... They are the nicest people in the world I wish there
was a way I could help them they way they have helped me."
Thank you!
Wendie Blanchard
Arthur Writes
Our Theme Song
ourselves as a vital
and proud
community, with
values of our own
that enhance our
quality of life, values
that could enhance
life for all.
Jim Deep
Be a Star in Your own Destiny
Wish List
By Arthur Blanchard
Big Things:
Lab coats (20 in various
sizes)
Photocopier
Refrigerators
Computer(s)
I never thought that I could be a hero
I never thought that I could feel so proud
When everything seemed stacked against me
I never thought that I could make a difference And everyday was just the just the same
But now I know I can and this is why
And I felt that it could never change
I heard the words my heart said to me
Chorus
Be a star in your own destiny
Chorus
Be true to your dreams
Succeed in your dreams and be a success
Now I know it is my choice
Feel your dreams, hold onto your dreams,
And I alone can choose the path I take
be that dream.
So I choose to help others to help them find
If people put you down, don't give up.
their inner dream
Be strong, be happy and
So come on everybody and make your dream
make your wishes come true
come true.
Little Things:
Reams of paper
3 ring binders
Tabbed dividers for binders
Seeds
Nutrients
Neoprene gloves
Hats, T-Shirts
Pens/pencils
Printer Ink cartridges
Greenhouse News
Page 7 of 8
What’s for Sale @ Arthur & Friends continued from page 4
Mesclun Mix Also called gourmet salad or baby salad mix,
mesclun is simply a mix of lettuce harvested at a very immature
stage, when the leaves are very small and tender. Mesclun has a
superior taste and more delicate texture than most ordinary salad
greens and is of consistently high quality year round. According
to the Department of Agriculture, it is six times as nutritious as
iceberg lettuce and has fewer chemical residues than mature
greens because it's harvested so young. Mesclun is a colorful,
tasty. instant salad that requires no more than the addition of a
good dressing before serving. Our Mesclun seldom contains fewer
than a dozen different kinds of lettuce.
Savory Gourmet Salad Mix is a symphony of fresh, tangy
flavors and vibrant colors - green, red, and white. This tasty blend
looks great the bowl. We've mixed 3 of our popular leaf lettuces
('Green Ice', 'Mighty Red Oak'and 'Prizeleaf') with exotic salad
greens like Mizuna (a Chinese cabbage that is as fine and frilly as
'Fizz E' endive). The mix also has a red-stem beet (for pungent
earthy flavor) and an endive that looks like a dandelion but is
more tender and mild. Bon appetite!
Herbs
Basil is most commonly recommended to be used fresh in
cooked recipes, it is generally added at the last moment, as
cooking quickly destroys the flavor. The fresh herb can be
kept for a short time in plastic bags in the refrigerator, or
for a longer period in the freezer, after being blanched
quickly in boiling water.
Arugula is an aromatic salad green. It is also known as
rocket, roquette, rugula and rucola, and is popular in Italian
cuisine. Like most salad greens, Arugula is very low in
calories and is high in vitamins A and C. A 1/2 cup serving
is two calories. Arugula was grown for both its leaves and
the seed. On another interesting note, Rocket or Arugula
has been used as an ingredient in aphrodisiac concoctions
dating back to the first century, AD.
Parsley A sprig of parsley can provide much more than a
decoration on your plate. Parsley contains two types of
unusual components that provide unique health benefits.
The delicious and vibrant taste and wonderful healing
properties of parsley are often ignored in its popular role as
a table garnish. Highly nutritious, parsley is the world's
most popular herb.
Cilantro is an herb with wide delicate lacy green leaves
and a pungent flavor. The seed of the cilantro plant is
known as coriander. Although cilantro and coriander come
from the same plant, their flavors are very different and
cannot be substituted for each other. (Some countries refer
to the cilantro as coriander, so any references to "fresh
coriander" or "coriander leaves" refer to cilantro.)
Heroes!
Brian Blanchard
Carolyn Swayze
Rod Hanson
Scott Steinetz
The Entire Steinetz Family!
Melanie Holster
Josh Cuppek
Mary Miraldi
Christopher & Dawn Bump
George Molient
Tom Digby
Simon Ireland
Brian Naftal
Cassie Pfister
Rampo University Students of
Spanish Writing
Judy Marinaro
Bob Marinaro
Mark Crotty
Patricia Pavez
Pat Wilson
Connie Smith
Barbara Knowles
Judy McMahon
Jane Varley
Pass-It-Along
Wakefern & Ronetco Shoprite
Stores
Maureen Verbeek
The New Jersey State Fair
Committee
Louise Vanderhaegen
The Mentor Group
SCARC
D.A.W.N
Bea Bico and Family
Michelle & Jack Decker
American Hydroponics, Inc.
Tony Marino
Scott & Barbara Deangelis
Sussex County Charter School
Bill Weightman
Jack Patten and the MSW WIB
The Kessler Foundation
Sivaraman Anbarasan
The New Jersey Herald
Vernon Rotary
Newton Rotary
Hampton Rotary
Walkill Rotary
The Employment Specialist
Newton Memorial Hospital
Noah & Susan Blanchard
Doug & Carol Blanchard
Quotes on Making a Difference
How to contact us…
Arthur & Friends
908 Wall Street
Newton, NJ 07860
•
•
•
Phone:
973-579-1996
Fax:
973-579-3080
E-Mail:
[email protected]
•
•
•
See us at:
www.norwescap.org
•
•
and soon at:
www.arthurandfriends.org
•
•
We are seeking restaurants,
garden centers, businesses
and interested individuals
to participate and join
Arthur & Friends in our
efforts in “Cultivating a
Better Planet.”
This Program is sponsored by
908 Wall Street
Newton, NJ 07860
Tom Brokaw: It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference.
Paul "Bear" Bryant: It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that
makes the difference.
Anonymous: Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the
ark; professionals built the titanic.
Ayn Rand: Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down
new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.
Confucius: To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to
put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in
order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.
Robert Frost: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I... I took the one less traveled
by, and that has made all the difference.
Stevie Wonder: We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.
Marian Wright Edelman: We must not, in trying to think about how we can make
a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time,
add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.
Uta Hagen: We must overcome the notion that we must be regular... it robs you of
the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre.
Earvin Magic Johnson: You're the only one who can make the difference.
Whatever your dream is, go for it.
Cultivating a Better Planet
This issue of Arthur & Friends’ Greenhouse News is dedicated to the memory
of Jane Nash Steinetz whose loving heart was always open to everyone and
who gave generously throughout her life! She made a difference!