Oyen Seniors start beautification project
By Beth Symes
On the cool morning of May 15th, ten seniors gathered at the Oyen and District Seniors hall to do some gardening. Funds from a New Horizons Grant and a donation from Marvie Kenny made in memory of her father, Alvin Carran, had allowed money for a purchase of grasses and Spirea which were to be planted in the outdoor area on the south side of the building.
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Lynda and Lorraine had chosen the plants. In addition, the flowering plants of calibrachoa (million bells) were purchased to go into planters there and on the west side of the building.
Beautification work had begun last summer with landscaping work being done on the south side of the building. A gravel base had been laid at that time. Thus, the work to be done on May 15th was to plant the grasses and the Spirea in the gravel base and the flowering plants in planters to beautify the outdoor space around the hall.
In addition to the plants, a cart, which had been donated by the museum, was brought and subsequently approved by the majority of those present as further adding to the outdoor décor. [ It would be appreciated if anyone knows how this cart would have been used during its earlier life, they could pass that information on to the Seniors Group.]
A further addition of an antique family trunk was made to add to the display. This trunk will serve as holder for further flower planters as yet unfilled. With these two items in place, the next task was to plan the positioning of the some 20 odd grasses and Spirea plants. Then the physical work began; scraping the gravel off each site, cutting the fabric that lay under the gravel, then digging into the earth so the plant could be transplanted in the hole.
At noon, having completed about a third of the work, the group took a lunch break to enjoy pizza. After lunch the group continued to work until about 3:00 PM to complete the planting of the grasses, Spirea and the transplanting of the calibrachoa into the planters.
Several further plants will be purchased to be placed in the planters in the trunk. The final work will be done by nature itself through the sun and the rain over this summer encouraging the plants to grow. As you walk, cycle or drive about Oyen, come past the seniors centre to see how our work and that of nature is progressing.