November 15, 2008
Make a Wish garden benefited all involved
By Stephanie Smith
Membership services coordinator
There is a well-known song by the group Supertramp entitled, Give a Little Bit. It is what I reflect upon when I remember taking part in creating Rachel’s Make a Wishbutterfly garden (see story in October issue of Horticulture Review). Just like I feel when I listen to the song, the worksite was also a very good natured place to be. Everyone there made it work. We were all there together, working as a great team.
By the time I had arrived to help, it was day two and things were moving along. I was lucky to have the opportunity to paint the mural with a great bunch of ladies. We worked with each other, one of us painting blue, while another had pink and another purple for the flowers and butterflies.
That day we talked about our families, friends and how happy we were to be part of this amazing project. As we painted, the men came to install irrigation, put in the water feature and start the base of the interlocking seating area.
It was like a ballet as it all flowed with such ease. Everyone was smiling.
As has been reported, Rachel has an aggressive form of cancer that has already taken an eye. There is a chance that the cancer has spread to the other eye, leaving her blind. This fear motivated the volunteers to build the garden in four days.
Rachel’s mom is a lovely lady and a very generous hostess. There was nothing that she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, get for anyone who was helping out. Her generosity and great nature made it a pleasure to give back. Even in the bathroom, a sign read, “Thank you for Rachel’s garden.”
A project such as this makes you realize how much we have and that no matter how bad your day, it really isn’t quite so bad. We all know from our experience that it could be much worse.
Building the garden was an excellent team building project that I would highly recommend to everyone. The reward in this type of project is really like nothing I have ever experienced. I hope I am fortunate enough to work on more projects like this with our AMAZING members. Beth Edney, LO’s Landscape Design Commodity Group chair, created the plan for the garden with the team of volunteers consisteing of LO and CNLA members.
A gigantic thank you to everyone involved in this project for your time and your donations!
If you are already on Facebook, check out our group listed under non-profit organizations and join today.
The chapter thanks the following companies for making the day a success: New Roads National Leasing, Beaver Valley Stone, The Miller Group, Battlefield, Durham Truck Isuzi, Turbo Technologies Ontario. And last, but not least, a big thank you to Direct Landscape Supply for providing the venue and being the major sponsor for this event.
Stephanie Smith can be reached by e-mail at ssmith@landscapeontario.com.
Caption: Beth Edney, in centre of photo, designed the garden and worked with a team of volunteers to bring it to reality.
Membership services coordinator
There is a well-known song by the group Supertramp entitled, Give a Little Bit. It is what I reflect upon when I remember taking part in creating Rachel’s Make a Wishbutterfly garden (see story in October issue of Horticulture Review). Just like I feel when I listen to the song, the worksite was also a very good natured place to be. Everyone there made it work. We were all there together, working as a great team.By the time I had arrived to help, it was day two and things were moving along. I was lucky to have the opportunity to paint the mural with a great bunch of ladies. We worked with each other, one of us painting blue, while another had pink and another purple for the flowers and butterflies.
That day we talked about our families, friends and how happy we were to be part of this amazing project. As we painted, the men came to install irrigation, put in the water feature and start the base of the interlocking seating area.
It was like a ballet as it all flowed with such ease. Everyone was smiling.
As has been reported, Rachel has an aggressive form of cancer that has already taken an eye. There is a chance that the cancer has spread to the other eye, leaving her blind. This fear motivated the volunteers to build the garden in four days.
Rachel’s mom is a lovely lady and a very generous hostess. There was nothing that she couldn’t, or wouldn’t, get for anyone who was helping out. Her generosity and great nature made it a pleasure to give back. Even in the bathroom, a sign read, “Thank you for Rachel’s garden.”
A project such as this makes you realize how much we have and that no matter how bad your day, it really isn’t quite so bad. We all know from our experience that it could be much worse.
Building the garden was an excellent team building project that I would highly recommend to everyone. The reward in this type of project is really like nothing I have ever experienced. I hope I am fortunate enough to work on more projects like this with our AMAZING members. Beth Edney, LO’s Landscape Design Commodity Group chair, created the plan for the garden with the team of volunteers consisteing of LO and CNLA members.
A gigantic thank you to everyone involved in this project for your time and your donations!
We’re on Facebook
In other news, Landscape Ontario is now on Facebook. This Internet phenomenon offers an opportunity for our members to network, have open discussions and to proudly display everything we do. It’s also an excellent method of communication to reach students thinking about entering the industry.If you are already on Facebook, check out our group listed under non-profit organizations and join today.
Meeting season
The chapter meeting season is now fully underway. Keep in touch with your chapter by visiting our new-look website at www.horttrades.com and while there, don’t forget to register for all the fall and winter seminars this season. You need to book early to avoid disappointment. Some courses have already filled up!David Suzuki speaks November 20
Don’t miss David Suzuki’s presentation at Toronto’s John Bassett Theatre. We have a very limited number of tickets left, so if you don’t have them already visit www.landscapeontario.com and purchase yours today. It’s a great gift idea for your customers, friends and family. Proceeds raised from this event are all going to charity.Supplier night
Durham Chapter Supplier Night was held on Sept. 23, at Direct Landscape Supply in Oshawa. The evening offered a meet and greet with suppliers to the trade. There was an awesome barbecue dinner of roast beef, plus salads. The event was well-attended on a beautiful sunny day.The chapter thanks the following companies for making the day a success: New Roads National Leasing, Beaver Valley Stone, The Miller Group, Battlefield, Durham Truck Isuzi, Turbo Technologies Ontario. And last, but not least, a big thank you to Direct Landscape Supply for providing the venue and being the major sponsor for this event.
Stephanie Smith can be reached by e-mail at ssmith@landscapeontario.com.
Caption: Beth Edney, in centre of photo, designed the garden and worked with a team of volunteers to bring it to reality.