Good Neighbors 2008

Rachel and John Seifert are known for sharing garden produce, flowers, household tips with neighbors

By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM - Rachel and John Seifert spent Monday evening in their favorite place - where you can often find them - in their backyard, tending their flower and vegetable gardens.

Nominated for the 2008 National Night Out Good Neighbor Award by Sue, Dick and Ian Kimmel, the Seiferts are regarded as the most active couple in the neighborhood.

They share their gardening knowledge, flowers and vegetables with their Center Street neighborhood.

They're probably the kind of people you wish were your neighbors.

"Rachel will say she just hates to throw a living thing away. Eventually, our gardens will resemble the Seiferts' and we all will love it," wrote the Kimmels in their nomination.

When neighbors are on vacation, the Seiferts take care of their homes and gardens with a smile and comment like "have fun, we'll take care of things," wrote the Kimmels.

Rachel Seifert said her mother and both grandmothers had beautiful gardens and taught her to appreciate them.

"I love flowers and vegetables and share them with neighbors. I'm usually out in the garden on my hands and knees in old clothes," Rachel added.

The Seiferts are the first in the neighborhood to be consulted on home repairs and the first to lend tools and a helping hand, when requested, wrote the Kimmels.

They said the Seiferts often help communities ravaged by natural disasters. They recently organized donated items for Cedar Rapids, Iowa flood victims.

"It's automatic, it's what neighbors do," is how the Kimmels described the way the Seiferts view their volunteer efforts.

After completing their daily projects, the Seiferts play music on their outdoor patio and invite neighbors over for conversation, laughter and refreshments.

National Night

Out Rally Monday

The public is invited to the Annual New Ulm National Night Out Rally and Monday Night Concert on the Hill at 5 p.m., Monday, July 28 at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Food, kids games and information tables will be available.

The Concord Singers perform at 6 p.m.

New Ulm Police will perform demonstrations at 7 p.m.

New Ulm Neighborhood National Night Out events will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

New Ulm Police Officers will be available to talk about neighborhood safety, discuss environmental protection ideas and get to know people.

Parents are urged to ensure their children know where to go and whom to see for immediate help.

Non-profit organizations interested in presenting information on tables at the Night Out Rally and for more information can e-mail New Ulm National Night Out Coordinator Dave Clark at dclark@newulmtel.net or call 276-3470.

(Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).