Gardeners and kids unite

submitted by Shirley Ross


The Cramahe Horticultural Society approached Dan O'Brien and Mandy Inglis, head of the summer kids program at the Keeler Centre, to request their support to introduce the Cramahe Ecology Garden to the children in the program. They agreed and on July 24, Sandra Compton and Shirley Ross met the children and briefly introduced them to the idea of the garden.

The children were led by Sandra, down and around the paths. They were very attentive and agreed to paint some bird houses for us as they understand that birds are necessary in a garden. Several of them said the garden was "lovely" and that they would also bring along an extra house from home. One fellow has already brought in a feed station - made by him.

We have permission to place the finished bird houses on the chain link fences around the ball diamonds - on the back face of their posted ads. Sandra has also collected 70 small stones and she has requested they be painted with the first name of each child in the program and the year - to be used to edge a garden room to prevent the soil from falling into the path.

The Cramahe Horticultural Society has purchased 25 birdhouses and the paint and brushes needed to do the job. The houses are assembled and primer coated. (Mandy thinks that only about 20 will be interested in doing this.) These were taken to Mandy on July 27 and we are hoping the kids will bring the finished product to the garden on Friday, July 31.