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October 29, 2005
Olivia White Garden Workday 11/3/05
Workdays at the Olivia White Hospice Garden will continue on Thursdays - weather permitting. We still have clean-up to do before the end of the season - putting the Rose Garden to bed, deadheading perennials and mulching many of the gardens.
Last week most of the remaining bulbs were planted, the raised bed was waterproofed, tomato pots cleaned and bird baths/feeders filled. One of our regular crew attended to help plant bulbs - Cynthia Katte - and we had a lunch provided by Hospice for those who have worked in the garden this year. Special recognition was given to those who have given extra time - Norm Erickson, Cynthia Katte, Karen Kent, Nancy Palmer, David Hockman, Ron Bauman, Ed Decker, Terry Payne and Tyler Glassman. It was a beautiful day in the garden with the sky sunny and the temperature warm. Those attending enjoyed lunch and special recognition by Marilyn Pate the Northland Hospice Director. They also received a photo and bookmark from the garden made by Laura and myself. Laura was thanked by Marilyn and her weekly garden crew. She received a book, treasure box with flowers from the garden, and some small reminders of her importance to the garden. Norm Erickson who has worked in the garden since long before the home was built, will have a brick in the gazebo in his name.
After closing for the day, it was decided to continue to work on Thursdays until the weather says we should stop. We will work on a variety of tasks - finishing bulb planting, moving compost into the north beds, mulching and general clean-up. If you wish to join us we will be in the garden on Thursday, November 3rd, from 9am-12pm.
"Gardening is like the seasons of life. In the spring, everything is fresh and new. In the summer, it starts to mature, like we do. In the fall, we reap its harvest. In the winter, the garden takes a peaceful rest-it's put away for a while."
from Tending the Earth Mending the Spirit, Connie Goldman and Richard Mahler.
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at 7:38 PM
October 23, 2005
Upcoming End of Season Workday 10/27/05
Last Saturday was "Make a Difference Day" and the community of Flagstaff really came through for the Olivia White Hospice Home. We had a crew of more than 25 people - adults and children. Christ's Church of Flagstaff had a large crew that brought us two large truckloads of compost. They filled in the beds around the gazebo, weeded, made some tree rings around some large pine trees, added compost, and mulched the beds. The children helped us to gather rocks for the tree rings and filled all our bird feeders. NAU students weeded, composted, and mulched two large areas. Two of our regular volunteers, Ron Bauman and Skye Seiber helped me to supervise many of the volunteers while doing a great deal of work at the same time. Stop by the garden sometime and see What a Difference they made.
This week October 27th, will be our last regularly scheduled workday in the garden this season. We will still have a special day for work on irrigation and will post that day on the website.
So much was accomplished this year in the garden -
The gazebo was completed and Marcia Lamkin/Nancy Palmer planted our first climbing rose.
Adding many features for wildlife - feeders and birdbaths.
A back patio was created by Tyler Glassman and his boy scout Troop 90.
David Hockman, along with much help in digging holes finished a small brick patio for a bench.
Beside benches many other features were added for the residents such as a standing bed and 4 sensory pots (sight, smell, taste, touch).
Residents planted our first tomato crop and helped water and harvest greens from the standing bed.
One of our sheep troughs was painted by Pamalee Mann and planted with beautiful flowers.
A tea garden was started off the back patio.
Many weeds were removed and flowers, shrubs, and trees were planted to replace them.
We set up a booth at the Fair for Life and created a Garden Wish List which is now in the home for residents and families.
We held a 10% day at Warners and raised many funds for use in the garden this year and next.
Photos of the garden were taken by Betty Marcus, Laura and myself in hopes of creating note cards for fundraising.
We held an open house as part of the Highlands Garden Conference.
We participated in "Places of the Heart" at the Coconino Center for the Arts.
Projects for this winter include:
Installing an irrigation system.
Applying for "Wildlife Habitat" status from the NWF.
Planning for next year.
Fundraising by making soaps from dried flowers from the garden and making cards from photos taken throughout the year.
If you can stop by to help on Thursday (this week from 9am-12pm), or if you want to participate this winter let us know. Working in this garden has been a pleasure for us and very rewarding. We want to send a special thanks to all of you who have helped us make this a "Place of the Heart".
Peace Within the Garden
There is peace within a garden, a peace is deep and calm
That when the heart is troubled it's like a soothing balm
There's a life within a garden, a life that still goes on
Filling empty places when older plants have gone
There's glory in the garden every time of year
Sp[ring, summer, autumn, winter, to fill the heart with cheer
So ever tend your garden, its beauty to increase
For in it you'll find solace, and in it you'll find peace.
Rosamund, Lady Langham
Thank you again for all your help and support for this garden.
Loni Shapiro
Posted by maxmaddy at 5:40 AM