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The eldest daughter of Josephine Royster, Kimberly, joined city officials, community residents, and volunteers on Friday, July 5 for the official ribbon cutting of the Josephine Royster Community Garden. Royster was a member of the Washington Housing Authority Board as a resident council member for 40 years. The garden was established in her honor by the Washington Housing Authority and the Washington Housing Authority Resident Council. Washington First Lady and former chair of the Washington Housing Authority Board, Alice Sadler, oversaw the project and thanked all of the community volunteers who worked tirelessly for the last several weeks to create the garden that is now fruitful and producing vegetables for the community. “Miss Royster would be smiling down upon us today,” said Washington Mayor Donald Sadler. “She was always loving and caring for the kids in the community. I was a neighbor of hers growing up in public housing and she always made sure we were behaven.”

The theme of the garden is Plant Here, Grow Here, and Harvest Here. It is located on the vacant lot that was donated by the city. Those wishing additional information should contact 252-946-0061.