July 2015
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A grand old theatre . . . . . . . . . page 5 Honourable firefighters . . . . page 10 Proud local chef. . . . . . . . . . . . page 17 Community happenings . . . page 30
Flossie’s garden blooms from spring till fall By Ellen Cohen From spring until fall we can count on the beauty of a succession of blooming flowers and well-tended bushes and shrubs at the edge of Washago on County Rd. 169. Known as the Washago Community Garden, it’s the result of a dream of local resident Flossie Robinson who, in her 80’s, was responsible for the first flowers planted in this garden. Formally established in 1994, twenty-one years later the garden is flourishing. The garden is tended by volunteer members of the Washago Garden Club and Flossie would be proud. Every club member has a keen interest in gardening as well as volunteering and giving back to their community. Carole Sharpe has been involved in the garden for about 15 years. Carole was a very active member of Habitat for Humanity for 10 years and says that volunteering is a very important part of her life.. Joining the Washago Garden Club has meant making new friends and it’s kept her involved in the community. “Our club is a group of people who like to have fun. We share a common interest and aren’t afraid to do hard work. We all do whatever is needed and the end result is beautiful gardens that show off the community,” she says.
Christina Westcott and Louise Buchan, Washago Garden Club members, filling one of the dozen large flower pots that adorn the side of County Rd. 169. In the cold winter months the club members meet to discuss what needs to be repaired or replaced and talk about ideas for new beds or colour schemes for the dozen large flower pots. Once the ground starts to thaw, the meetings revolve around the May plant sale, the most important fundraising initiative of the club, generating revenue that helps to sustain the club and the garden. After the plant sale, it’s time to get busy in the garden. The club spends hours cleaning up and preparing the gardens for the new season after which the search begins for annuals to compliment the perennial gardens. Aesthetic changes from year to year can be made easily through the use of annuals, a task performed by
Christina Westcott from Sebright, and Louise Buchan from Oshawa Whitby. Both are avid gardeners and have their own gardens to tend, but because they spend a fair bit of time in Washago with relatives, they stay very involved with the club. The club is very careful to support local businesses and understands how important partnerships are to any community group. This year they purchased annuals from Fern Forest and Ego’s; the slow release fertilizer is from Home Hardware in Washago; and the huge mound of topsoil from Carrick Construction. Severn Township also contributes to the garden. Last year they
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