As in New York State, a Pennsylvania State Master Gardener is a trained volunteer who shares gardening knowledge with the public through community outreach. 
When Jamestown resident David Winner was training to become a Penn State Master Gardener, he was required to participate in a minimum of 40 hours in the classroom, score 80 percent on the midterm and final exam, and fulfill 50 hours of volunteer service. 
Winner still loves to garden and has become especially interested in encouraging new gardeners and those who don’t think they have enough space.
Saturday, April 18, 1–3 p.m., Winner is offering a class in “Square Foot Gardening,” an intensive, high-yield gardening method that maximizes space, reduces weeding, and uses less water compared to traditional row gardening. It is ideal for small spaces, beginners, and optimizing produce per square foot. 

The presentation will be at the Unitarian church, 1255 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, where parking is behind the building. With a $10 fee, it will include visuals to demonstrate how to set up a square foot garden and refreshments.
“I really want folks to reap the benefits of growing their own fresh vegetables in a small space,” says Winner, who has worked countless hours as a master gardener teaching square foot gardening. 

Now retired from seven years of participating with his wife in the Jamestown Farmers Market, he said, “We sold Barbara's special teas for five of those years. We were also known for our homegrown garlic and humorous homemade garden signs, like ‘Trespassers will be composted.’”
Barbara will also be part of the class, showing the importance of weeds that grow in our yards.
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Anyone is welcome. Preregistration is not required. For more information, call (716) 665-4605. 
Proceeds from the class will benefit the church.

Amanda Gesing, executive director of YWCA Jamestown, speaks this Sunday, March 29, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service. Her message, “From Community Conversation Comes a Space of Empowerment,” highlights how a single conversation about dignity and opportunity sparked the development of expanded transitional housing and a long-term project. Through collaboration, persistence, and community partnership, that initial dialogue evolved into a sustainable model of empowerment that will serve Chautauqua County women and families for generations to come.

Since November 2020, Gesing has led YWCA Jamestown in fulfilling its mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations while fostering an inclusive and mission-driven culture. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University, she is committed to embedding equity and inclusion into all aspects of nonprofit work and engaging community voices in meaningful ways to drive lasting impact. All are welcome to the service and coffee hour that follows at 1255 Prendergast Avenue. To participate virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar.

​This Sunday, Kaycee Colburn Talks About Growing Up DEI

November is Native American Heritage Month. Kaycee Colburn is the guest speaker at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown’s 10:30 a.m. hybrid service this Sunday, November 30, 2025. Colburn will present “Growing Up DEI,” a conversation on growing up in Jamestown as a pagan, native girl. She will present a glimpse into the daily struggle of enduring racism, colorism, oppression, violence and other forms of hate.

Colburn is a local artist who works with a variety of mediums and uses her art to deliver messages, history and stories on Indigenous issues and to bring voice to the voiceless. She will also have an art piece on display. All are welcome to the service at 1255 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, N.Y., and the coffee hour that follows. To participate virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar.

Jamestown, N.Y. – Robert H. Jackson Center President Kristan McMahon will describe “The Function of a Citizen” when she speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown this Sunday, October 19 at 10:30 a.m. 

McMahon says, “Each of us has a role to play to make and keep our community strong and vibrant. Robert H. Jackson believed strongly in civic engagement, community participation, and accountability – to ourselves and our neighbors.” 

McMahon received her Juris Doctor from The Catholic University of America and her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism/Mass Communication and Political Science from St. Bonaventure University. She serves as a Trustee, Chair of the Audit & Compliance Committee, and Vice Chair of the Student Success Committee for St. Bonaventure and as Board Secretary for Youth For Understanding, a student exchange nonprofit. In April 2019 she became president of the organization that advances the legacy of the Jamestown attorney who became Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice, and Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the post-World War II Nuremberg Trials. 

All are welcome at 1255 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, N.Y. To participate virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar.