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July Newsletter - 2004
Down
to earth at last!
Stage One construction set for this fall
Glynis Logue, Landscape Designer and Project Manager
It’s official
– we’re building Stage One of the Garden this fall! Our building
team includes Glynis Logue (Landscape Designer and Project Manager), Reid’s
Heritage Group (major benefactor and building partner), and Tom Foster
and Associates (on site construction manager).
During the last six months, our team has been working hard to source the materials and labour needed to construct the concrete paths, raised beds, shed and arbor structures, as well as to complete the landscaping and plantings.
So far, more than two dozen companies have generously agreed to donate products or skills to help build the garden.
July and August will be busy months what with coordinating all the details, acquiring the permits and finalizing the building schedule. We expect the site to be bustling with contractors in September, too, as they begin to install the hydro and water, remove the grass to create paths, and bring in soil and natural stone to define the garden spaces.
During the same time, the cedar structures (raised beds, shed and arbor) will be constructed off-site and brought to the garden for installation. Finishing touches will be made during October to complete some of the perennial plantings and clean up the garden before programs start in 2005.
We will continue to keep you informed of our progress, and of events to support the Garden’s development. Contact any of the GEG community – there are lots of ways for you to get involved.
Spade dancing - realizing a dream
Joan Mathieu and Jennifer Mackie, Co-Chairs
Tuesday, June 8 2004 was a momentous occasion for the Guelph Enabling Garden, when our groundbreaking ceremony took place at the site in Riverside Park. We were blessed with gorgeous weather, a gentle breeze, and a fabulous turnout of about 50 members of the Guelph community who joined in to launch the project.
We were pleased to have our MP, Brenda Chamberlain and Mayor Kate Quarrie provide best wishes. And Jane and Richard Dell, from Reid’s Heritage Group, our major benefactors, also shared why they have put their efforts behind this project.
Others from various organizations, which have either partnered with us or anticipate using the Garden when it’s built, attended and had the opportunity of touring the area to get a better sense of what will be happening later in the summer. Besides being delighted with the turnout, it was really special to see us getting closer to actually building.
Joan and I and the board, heartily thank all those who have supported the creation of this dream so far. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today. Stay tuned for more information and an anticipated celebration in the fall when the first phase of the Garden is in place.
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Left to right: Joan Mathieu and Jennifer Mackie - Enabling Garden Co-chairs; Mayor Kate Quarrie; MP Brenda Chamberlain; Glynis Logue, Landscape Designer; Jane Dell, Richard Dell - Reid’s Heritage Homes; and Sharon Van Manen, Barrier Free Advisory Committee. (Photo: Betty Richard.) |
Canada’s first Hometown Hero
Glynis Logue, our Project Manager and Landscape Designer, has been selected from among 100 candidates to be named Canada’s first "Hometown Hero". This is a new national award created by Earth Day Canada to recognize one outstanding Canadian environmental hero who has made a difference and improved the environment in his or her city. Glynis received the award from natural artist and environmental leader Robert Bateman at the Earth Day Gala on June 15, 2004 in Toronto.
From the beginning, Glynis has been a major driving force behind the Enabling Garden. Her dedication and commitment to the project has never faltered. The award definitely recognizes her enthusiasm and desire to see our garden become a reality this year. As the award suggests, she is "one of the dreamers and doers, the unsung heroes of our communities." The Guelph Enabling Garden organization is very proud and happy to have this Hometown Hero as our Project Manager.
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Glynis Logue
receives the Hometown Hero award from artist Robert Bateman.
(Photo: Leo Barei) Glynis brings ten years of design experience to the garden, which will assist us through all stages of the garden. For now, Glynis, we need to get you away from the cameras and media and back to work on building our garden this year!! |
Fundraising
Blooms
Jackson Mathieu, Fundraising Chairman
This spring has been very exciting with development of the Guelph Enabling
Garden gaining momentum as support from the community grows.|
The Garden’s major benefactor, Reid’s Heritage Homes,
has been invaluable in helping to get construction under way. All involved
in the Guelph Enabling Garden are grateful for their enthusiastic and
generous support. Thanks to Reid’s, their associates, and other
corporate donors, we’ve raised sufficient funds to start building
the underlying infrastructure of the garden.
Our community fundraising included the spring compost and perennial plant
sale, and the Buy a Brick campaign.
The compost and perennial sale, although a little soggy,
proved a success with $2000 raised, and lots of fun had by all. Thank
you to all the committed volunteers who helped on the day and to those
who contributed all the wonderful plants. A very special thank you to
Julie Cradder Thompson, Trevor Barton and Jen Turnbull for organizing
the event.
To date the Buy a Brick campaign has raised $6,000. This
is a wonderful way to honor someone or mark a special day, knowing the
proceeds will go to build our garden. To date we have sold 60 bricks and
would like to sell 50 more before the end of August.
Donation forms are available on the Web site or from Joan at 763-2804.
We still need to raise significant funds for the landscaping and raised
beds of the garden. Our number one need at this time is to find someone
to help spearhead the Buy a Brick campaign, which will continue over the
next 15-18 months.
The Board of Directors is
also grateful to CJOY/Magic FM for its contribution of
radio advertising, which has helped raise awareness of the Garden and
of the ways that people can become involved and offer support.
Stone Road Mall is sponsoring an Art Bench program over
the summer. Local businesses will sponsor a bench which is painted by
an artist and then auctioned to the public, with the proceeds going to
support the building of the Enabling Garden. Thank you to Sleeman, ABB
Inc., Union Gas Ltd., Smith Valeriote Law Firm LLP, and Stone Road Mall
for purchasing the first five benches. Look for the display in the Stone
Road Mall.
Thank you to all who have been so giving. Without these contributions
or the time committed by volunteers, the dream of this Garden would not
become a reality. We’re not there yet... but we’re making
great progress!
Donor Update
The Guelph Enabling Garden committee would like to thank all who have contributed to the garden's development. Listed below are the most recent donors since the last newsletter was published in December 2003.
Mr. Frank & Merlene Cerniuk, Mr. Newton & Marguerite Clayton,
Dr. David & Susan James, Dr. Douglas Gat & Rebecca Roy,
Imperial Tobacco, Ms. Eleanor Davidson, Nelson Aggregate,
Brock Road Nursery, Mr. Angelo & Adelia Ferraro, Van Harten Surveying, W.C. Wood Company Ltd., John Eisen Ltd., Jamieson Estates Cambridge Ltd., Scotiabank/Edinburgh & Kortright, Greenmor Printing Co. Ltd.,
Wyeth Animal Health, Sign Art Centre, CJOY/Magic FM,
The Co-operators, ABB Inc., Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd.,
Union Gas Ltd., RBC Dominion Foundation, Barry Cullen Chev/Olds Ltd., Terra View Custom Homes, Dr. Jackson & Joan Mathieu,
The Guelph General Nurses Alumnae, Smith Valeriote Law Firm LLP,
Stone Road Mall, Douglas Tree Service, The Homewood Corporation,
Dr. Chuck & Susan Chan, Dr. David & Mary McEwen, Mr. Hugh Whiteley, Mr. Tom & Margaret Bates, Mr. David & Pat Birtwistle, Mr. George & Francis Blair, Mr. Richard & Norah Chaloner, and
Wakefield House B&B, Guelph and Wellington Credit Union Limited.
We would like to thank all of those generous community members who have bought bricks through our Buy-A-Brick campaign. Sixty bricks have been sold and our goal is to sell 50 more before the end of August.
The
Guelph Enabling Garden
Board of Directors
| Joan Mathieu, Co-Chair | Jackson Mathieu, Fundraising Chair |
| Jennifer Mackie, Co-Chair | Carl Mackie, Member |
| Betty Richard, Secretary | Trevor Barton, Member |
| Liz Porcellato, Treasurer | Judith Rosenberg, Member |
The
Guelph Enabling Garden
promotes independence
by enabling members of the community who live with varying degrees of
physical and cognitive abilities to experience the benefits of gardening.
For more information contact
Joan Mathieu,
40 Dean Avenue, Guelph, ON N1G 1K8
tel: (519) 763-2804
fax: (519) 763-6995
email: enablinginfo@sympatico.ca
Web site: www.enablinggarden.org
If you received this newsletter by mail and would like it emailed to you, please email us at the above address.
The Guelph Enabling Garden newsletter is edited by Bill Knapp with graphics courtesy of Glynis Logue
GROWING
WITH THE COMMUNITY
"Enabling Gardens are designed for children, the elderly, families
and anyone with varying degrees of physical and cognitive ability. The
Guelph Enabling Garden celebrates the reflective, expressive and active
connections we have with nature."
We need your
support in order for us to build our garden in 2004
to celebrate Riverside Park's 100th birthday in 2005.
MAIL
IN YOUR APPLICATION AND FEE TO:
Attention: Joan Mathieu, Co-Chair, 40 Dean Ave., Guelph, ON N1G 1K8
Tel: (519) 763-2804 Fax: (519) 763-6995 Email: enablinginfo@sympatico.ca
(Please make cheques payable to: Guelph Enabling Garden. Do not mail cash.)
All 2004 members
who join by or at the Annual General Meeting
will be entered in a draw to win a free garden consultation from
Joan Mathieu (Diploma in Horticulture)
and Lynn Gillespie (Master Gardener)
Memberships
can also be paid at the 2nd Annual General Meeting
5:00 – 6:00pm Wednesday January 14, 2004
Delhi Recreation Centre, 65 Delhi St, Guelph
NAME:____________________________________________________
COMPANY:_________________________________________________
ADDRESS:_________________________________________________
POSTAL CODE:_________ PHONE:__________ EMAIL: ____________
MEMBERSHIP RATES
__ Corporate/Business $50.00 __ Individual/Family
$20.00
__ Additional Donation: __________ (Tax
Receipts will be mailed out)
**Please Check: __Yes or __No if we
can add your name on our Web site.
Charitable #: 86123 6917 RR0001
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