“A garden is not a place. It is a journey.” – Monty Don
This week, Planting Partners returned to the McGregor community for our annual flower planting event. Residents, staff, and volunteers from KeyBank worked together to “dig” into the new season. After curation, the flowerpots are displayed across campus for residents to nurture throughout the summer.
“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird Johnson
Elaine Albrighst works on one of her flowerpots
Planting Partners allowed many seniors to connect back to their roots as they reminisced about their gardening past. Elaine Albright displayed her flowerpots recalling, as long as she can remember she “loved the dirt.” As a girl her family had a vegetable garden she tended to and observed, “I loved to see it grow.” Becky Zeigler spoke on how she maintained a garden in her family for generations, and this event allowed her to dive back into a hobby she once practiced daily. Her husband, Bourbon, used to have a vegetable garden where he grew peppers, green beans, watermelon, and more. After 55 years of marriage, the Zeigler’s worked together as a reminder of all the memories they created in their own garden.
“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.”
– Alfred Austin
Residents and volunteers working on a vegetable garden under the bright blue sky
Additionally, June 6th is National Gardening Exercise Day; an observance emphasizing the importance of fresh air and movement in maintaining one’s health. Although gardening is not typically viewed as “exercise”, it is a great way for our seniors to increase strength, flexibility, and balance. Bending over to plant seed, digging up a patch of soil, or carrying a watering can, may have a larger impact than most realize.
KeyBank volunteer Lana and Hotep posing in front of their creation
Thank you, Planting Partners and KeyBank, for your dedication to improving the environment and enriching the lives of those in our community through gardening. Not only will flowers grow at McGregor, but so will the bonds formed within our community.
Josephine Russel proudly standing next to her voluptuous flowerpot
If you or your organization would like to participate in Planting Partners next year, please call 216-268-7902 or contact Jaqueline Southern.
#Planting Partners #Gardens of McGregor #McGregor Gardens
