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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us June 9, 2006 Matt Sheehan, left, And friends of the late Joanie McGowan, along with members of Peace House, work on the first stage of the Peace Garden Thursday at the Eagle Mill Farm.. Orville Hector / Ashland Daily Tidings Late Ashland entertainer’s memory will live in garden created to feed the hungry in Ashland By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Friends of the late Joanie McGowan have found a way to honor her by serving a cause that was dear to her heart. McGowan, a tireless advocate for the poor and needy who took her own life on the Bear Creek Greenway in January of 2005, was remembered during the first plantings of the “McGowan Peace Garden” at Eagle Mill Farm last night. A group of her closest friends in Ashland decided that an organic garden plot in her name, used to help supply Peace House’s free community meal, would be the perfect way to honor her life. To christen the organic garden, her friends gathered in a circle around the center of the future planting area. In ceremonial fashion, they passed around a small bag of McGowan’s ashes, each helping to spread them before planting a weeping sequoia tree in her honor. “Joanie will be the soul of the garden,” Melody Bynum said. “Now we can come sit in the garden with Joanie.” “This was one of Joanie’s favorite places,” said Sue Jaffey. “And she passed away not far from here. There’s something very nice about that.” Jeff Golden, radio personality and friend of McGowan’s, said, “I associate this whole corner of the community with Joanie. If she could have picked any place at all, this would have been it.” Farm proprietor and restaurant owner Ron Roth donated the fertile, half-acre of land for the memorial garden. Roth fondly referred to Joanie as his and his wife Kathleen’s “oldest adopted child,” “Joanie was the epitome of energy,” Roth said. Michael Dawkins had brought the weeping sequoia tree from his own yard to be planted in the garden. He said McGowan “would love this whole concept, growing sustainable food for people who need it.” Holly East, Executive Director of Peace House and a friend of McGowan’s, said the organizers thought of the idea of a memorial garden one night in February while remembering McGowan at Roth’s downtown restaurant. “I’d like to think Joanie would be very proud of this,” East said. “The neat thing about this is that it came together through a bunch of people who love Joanie, who are into sustainability and who support growing food for the needy.” East and Roth explained that food grown in the “McGowan Peace Garden” will go to those who need it most. Some will go to Uncle Food’s Diner, Peace House’s free community meal on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on North Main Street. Some will go to ACCESS, a non-profit organization that also distributes food to people in need. Produce will also be available to those who are willing to come and help with some of the farm chores, East said. Michael Dawkins, right, explains to Jeff Golden , left, Robert Sicular, center, the best way to transport the tree Thursday at the Eagle Mill Farm in preparation for Joanie McGowan Peace Garden. McGowan, an actor, comedian and activist, suffered from depression and died of an overdose in early January 2005. She was widely known and loved in the community. “She had so many friends,” Roth said. “After she passed away, I was amazed at how many people I had never met before had spent time with Joanie.” Jaffey added, “There was a loyalty about Joanie that was remarkable.” The Peace Garden is not the only location where friends of McGowan’s can visit her. Her ashes have also been spread at another spot on Eagle Mill Farm, near an old walnut tree that she enjoyed. Friends and relatives also placed some of her ashes in a number of other locations, including the Oregon Coast, New England and Kentucky. A movie, featuring video clips of Joanie McGowan from the last five years of her life, may be found at www.moonbeamgirlfilm.com. Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x. 226 or [email protected]. . DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams