Olivia White Hospice Home Garden Volunteers: February 2013

Gardens Founded in 2001 - Home in 2002

Echinacea - Photo by Laura Davis

The garden began in 2001 with the help of Norm Erickson, a Northland Hospice volunteer, at the corner of Switzer Canyon Drive and Turquoise. At that time the home had not been completed but a beautiful sign was placed on the corner. Norm continued to work on the beds on the east side of the sidewalk along Switzer Canyon Drive and in front of the home, until 2008. The rest of the gardens were developed by a core of Coconino County Master Gardeners initially led by Laura Davis and since 2007 by Loni Shapiro.

The garden crew is active from April-October and sometimes in November weather permitting. Work happens weekly throughout the garden season on Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. It also is scheduled for one Saturday a month from April through October. Cancellations due to weather will be posted by 6:00 am of the workday on this blog. You must attend a spring orientation to the garden and Northland Hospice & Palliative Care in order to work. A summary of the work that has been done is included on the blog. Look for weekly postings on this blog during the garden season.

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Volunteering in the Garden

2015 Calendar

April 13, 11:30-1:30 Lunch and orientation for new volunteers at hospice and TB testing for all

April 16, 9:15-10 TB tests read and 10:00 garden orientation. First Thursday workday 9-12

April 20, First Monday workday 9-12

May 2, Saturday workday 9-12

If you are interested in volunteering, please email CrysWells@gmail.com.

Please note: TB testing is required annually for all garden volunteers.

If you have current TB results that were done by a physician or at a hospital, these may be submitted to Northland Hospice.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact the volunteer coordinator Kathy Simmons (ksimmons@northlandhospice.org) to schedule a time for testing and orientation.

Monday, February 25, 2013

Thank You from Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock to the Gardeners

On this windy wintery day with the hope of Spring peeking through the snow I want to express my gratitude for the OWHH Gardens and Gardeners.

Numerous times the patients at OWHH, their families, the neighbors and many in the community have shared with me how much they value the OWHH Gardens. They see the gardeners working and people outside enjoying the gardens, engaging in the seasons that such an environment offers, a true reflection of the seasons of life. Many have said they see these gardens as being one of the most sincere places of the heart here in Flagstaff offering respite, beauty, solace peace and the hope of new life.

These Gardens have become a steadfast ambassador for the Norhtland Hospice programs in a most vibrant way with the various colors, blossoms, wildlife and stages of growth that life offers.

Thank you Loni and All Hearty Gardeners. We are all fortunate that you like to play in the dirt, wield pruning shears, move rocks, attract bees, conserve water, propagate native plants, extract brambles, nurture beauty, envision landscapes and plant hope!

With gratitude,
Peggy Sheldon-Scurlock
Patient Care Volunteer
Olivia White Hospice Home

Friday, February 22, 2013

February Garden Meeting Minutes

Hospice Garden Meeting Agenda

February 21, 2013 9am-1030am

9am-930am (coffee/tea available)

Introductions done. Attending: Loni Shapiro, Betty Marcus, Judith Chaddock, Debbie Crisp, Rebecca Davis, Joe Harte, Diana Watt, Megan Woodson, Christine Orr, and Vicki Goodwin. I have recorded your hours.

I. Updates

A. Financial status for end of 2012

Our balance is currently 3136.06 (much of that is from 2011 about $900 from last year).

We also have a balance of 1084.03 in our Warner’s account.

Dave Hill has said he is willing to make another garden donation this year.

We have earrings for sale again and Linda is making some pendants and necklaces. We have already collected $135. No other fundraisers will be done this year. No plant sale! If you know someone who needs something we have too much of, tell them to contact me and we will arrange for them to dig some up. We will focus on gardening.

B. Need a new coordinator for the 2014 garden season. This will be my last year – anyone interested? I am trying to do fewer hours in 2013 (450 last year) so I am looking for people to assume responsibility for gardens and special projects for 2013 (coordinate, clean up, plant or replant as needed). We will have new volunteers to help you.

If you have any tips on possible coordinators for 2014 let Loni know. A sharing of the task – 2 people- may make it easier to find someone. She would like to get someone on board before the end of the season. She will attend the MG class next month and Hattie is also looking for someone.

MMG & Tea Garden – Laura

Laura is working ½ time at FMC as a patient advocate. We will see less of her in the garden this year and most likely on Mondays. Loni will be meeting with her to work out routines that can be done by other gardeners in both areas.

2nd Meeting Agenda 2/21/13

Hospice Garden Meeting Agenda

February 21, 2013 9am-12pm (Room is reserved until 12 but we will most likely finish early)

9AM-930AM
I. Updates

A. Financial status for end of 2012

B. Need new coordinator for 2014 garden season – anyone interested? I am trying to do fewer hours in 2013 so I am looking for people to assume responsibility for gardens for 2013 (coordinate, clean up, plant or replant as needed). We will have new volunteers to help you.

MMG & Tea Garden – Laura

Moon Garden, Zane’s Garden, New Hummingbird/Penstemon bed, Sensory Pots –
Loni

Veggies & Herbs & Fruit – Rebecca Davis ? (should be 2 people)

Faerie Garden – Vicki ?

Rock Garden/Compost – Linda

Irrigation – Linda & Carol

Front ½ Circle and new front bed – Kay ? (needs help as she is still working)

Rose Garden

Native Garden (north end of house)

Corner Garden (all will help with the plan but getting the work done)

Inferno Strips (includes planting new area with added sidewalk)

Shed Area (all will help with the plan but getting the work done)

Indoor Plants – Judith

Trees – Joe

Creating Sandstone Pathway from Switzer sidewalk to Rose Garden -
AmeriCorp ?

930AM-1030AM

II. HIPAA Orientation – Megan Woodson

IV. Next meeting 3/14 9am at the garden weather permitting

Sunday, February 3, 2013

1st Meeting Minutes for 2013
Olivia White Garden

I. Updates

a. 2012 review

1. Accomplishment for 2012 – see handout (posted on blog)

2. Correspondence (Marge Erickson, Diana, Lois’s family, Warners, Bonito St. Garden)
Correspondence circulated for those who have not seen these previously.

3. Hours for 2012.
Hours circulated for individual review. Summary for 2012 1456.5 and 101.5 for groups.

4. Financial status for end of 2012.
Not received from the office prior to meeting. Will report when received.

Recent donations/possible 2013 donations
Received 2 donations - one from Nancy Palmer's in-laws ($?), and $100 from Peggy Shelton-Scurlock. Our last bench donation has been received. Will arrive for the garden season. Dave Hill has expressed interest in helping us again this year. Maybe with the shed area?

Leftovers from 2011
$2224.29 - after meeting with Diana last year

b. Volunteers and requirements for 2013

1. Volunteers
Many of last years volunteers returning - some as drop ins. David Hockman is having back problems again and may not return. Christine Orr will be traveling all summer. We may see her in the fall but maybe not until 2014. Laura has a job at FMC - 1/2 time but working more so will be in the garden when she can. The Michael Moore garden will be part of our weekly work. Anyone who wants to work there regularly should brush up on native plants in the garden and spend a little time with Laura. Nancy will not be in the garden much this year. I have several new people interested in helping this year - Rebecca Davis from Hozhoni, Lynn Overend, and two people new to Flagststaff (not MGs).

2. Review general orientation to garden handout
The general orientation to the garden has been updated to reflect changes for 2013. I will e-mail it to all - please read as a reminder and to see the changes.

3. HIPAA
Errors made by Loni this past winter were discussed. All garden staff will have to do 3 activities for 2013 - read the information - take a quiz - and participate in a brief inservice by Megan. Loni will send out the 1st 2 parts by e-mail. Take the test and return to Megan.

Reporting OWHH Volunteer Hours

For the 2015 garden season all volunteers will report hours in the book on the back patio at the garden. If you are there on a scheduled workday the book will be on the table. If you come on a non-workday, maybe to water or complete something you wanted to finish, the keys and sign-in book will be inside the home in the table drawer to the left as you enter.

Please record all hours in the garden, at meetings, and for home activities.

At the end of each month the sign in sheets will be sent to the office so please get your hours in by the end of the month.

Wish List 2015

Wish list book is kept on the table in the lobby of the Olivia White Home. Check the book for further details. Contact one of the gardeners if you want to donate.

General plant related materials not available at Warners (where we have an account from a yearly fundraiser) – up to $250 (cash/gardeners will purchase as needed); includes special fertilizers, perlite, sand, soil, and other repair items. Purchase of unusual plants at other nurseries (Viola’s, NP & Seed & HCG).

Special feed for roses (we have 50) - $250 per season or what you want to donate. Gardeners will purchase.

4 Pruners/clippers - $10-40 (see book for ideas)

A variety of long/short handled, cut and hold, small and large diameter.

Craftsman Handi-cut for irrigation (see book for details)

4 Weeders – variety of long and short handled (see book for ideas)

4 Trowels – variety

Mud Gloves (8 Pair – 1 small-5 med-2 light weight) (see book for details).

Spray nozzles for hoses – prefer short handled with multiple settings.

Birdhouses for trellis (new or used in good condition).

Bat or butterfly house for grounds.

Hulled sunflower seed or chips for bird feeders ($28-85 depending on size).

We only use this type of seed, because of clean-up requirements for millet or black oiled sunflower. We also need niger seed (cost ?) for the goldfinches. This takes more than $500 out of our garden budget.

Replacement wheelbarrows-prefer metal with no-flat wheels. (1 needed)

Welcome to the Gardens at Olivia White Hospice Home

The gardens surrounding the home were created for all who find themselves here. The history below reflects the many hands that have worked in the gardens. The volunteer gardeners have worked to create a quiet, peaceful place to experience alone or with those you love. The garden design enhances the sensory experience. You can hear zipping hummingbirds, water fountains, and the sound of wind chimes. It is a place to stop and smell the roses or the soothing fragrance of lavender. The many vegetables and herbs grown allow residents and staff to taste the gifts of nature. You can feel the gentle embrace of the wind and touch the soft leaves of lamb’s ear or bunny tail grass along with other more prickly plants in a ‘touch pot’. Another design consideration was providing universal access to all visitors and special beds/pots that allow interested residents to participate in gardening. Sitting and standing raised beds, and ‘sensory pots’ accessible to wheelchairs are enjoyed by many residents.
Peace to all who enter…

History
The gardens were started by Norm Erickson, a hospice volunteer, before the home was built in 2001, on the corner of Switzer Canyon and Turquoise where the Olivia White sign is found. Norm also created the gardens directly in front of the home. In 2001 Laura Davis, a master gardener began designing and planning for the gardens that surround the home. Loni Shapiro assumed responsibility for garden coordination and planning in 2007. The first project in 2002 was to lay the cement pathway which was done by NAU’s Construction Management class led by Dave Grider. A flagstone patio was created east of the home by Joanie Abbott of Foxglove Gardening with the help of Heber Trunnel. The first two plantings by the master gardeners included an Inferno Strip on Switzer Canyon led by Terra Crampton, and a Rose Garden led by Hattie Braun with a large donation of roses by Bill Brechan. Coconino County Park and Recreation at Fort Tuthill donated many truckloads of compost, and Bill Eichinger used his bobcat to help edge with rocks the gardens you see today. In 2004 a core of master gardeners and hospice volunteers (Loni Shapiro, Karen Kent, Cynthia Katte, David Hockman and Nancy Palmer) joined Laura and began creating the many gardens here today. Today we have a regular crew of master gardeners and hospice volunteers, with two workdays each week throughout each spring and summer. They are supported by many other church groups, scout troops, AmeriCorp, college - high school - middle school groups, Coconino County Adult Probation Community Service, Upward Bound, and businesses throughout Flagstaff. Warner’s Landscape and Nursery needs to be singled out for their continuing support for the gardens since their inception with yearly fundraisers and discounts on plant and hardscape materials. In 2006 the gazebo designed by Jill Morris was completed with the help of Terry Payne and John Adams, from Christ’s Church, and Loven Contracting. John Adams along with the help of the Sunshine Lion’s Club finished it with a brick pathway. Foxglove Gardening installed the drip system over three years from 2008-10. Most of their time was donated. From 2010-2012 we received grants from the Bountiful Alliance to create a Native Medicinal Garden in honor of Michael Moore, writer and naturalist. The work on that garden continues along Switzer Canyon Drive. The garden was dedicated by a Navajo elder in 2012. A small garden was dedicated in 2011 to our long time therapy dog “Zane” Hill. Plans for 2013 include continued revamping of some front gardens, work on the corner of Turquoise with the installation of the FUTS trail, and landscaping our new shed area.

The gardens continue to evolve each year. Some have already been altered from the original plan, such as the Rose Garden, east front and ½ Circle gardens, and north Switzer Canyon beds. In addition, many other trees, shrubs, plants and hardscape items have been donated. A list of donors is located in the library of the Olivia White Home. The library also includes a binder of all the roses found in our garden (over 40). A map of the garden was completed under the direction of Cynthia Katte and Kathy Pate that includes the location of most of the gardens and the special features. This will be updated in 2013 to include the changes along Turquoise and Switzer Canyon. A copy of the current map is included with this handout and can also be found in the Rose binder.

Donations/Volunteering
A “Wish List” for donations is provided in the home that includes yearly needs as well as special projects. Our main fundraisers to help pay for materials and water are memorial bricks (brochures available in the home), an annual 10% of proceeds day at Warner's Nursery, and a summer Plant & Garden Sale at the home. In addition, we sell note cards made from original paintings of the garden, photo note cards, and earrings made from Job’s Tear seeds grown in the garden. All can be found on the table in the entry of the home. We are always looking for new volunteers to help in the garden. Our weekly garden activities during the year can be found on the Volunteer Blog (owhospicegardenvolunteers.blogspot.com) or by contacting,Sierra Gadsberry, Volunteer Cordinator at sgadsberry@northlandhospice.org.

Revised 11/12