Kudos to Hort Society for beautifying nursing home

Editor:
Bravo to the Creemore Horticultural Society for pivoting in the time of COVID-19 to make a one-year exception to volunteer skills and assistance to Creeden Valley Care Community for the sake of providing an enhanced front garden entrance to be enjoyed by residents, staff (frontline workers) and the general community during an exceptional time. 
COVID-19 has made us all recognize the value of outdoor living spaces for everyone’s physical and mental health. Unfortunately, Creeden Valley residents are more physically limited so that it is even more important that they live in a space that considers and plans for their sensory and physical needs. Seniors’ gardens can include raised beds where people can enjoy fragrant and colourful  flowers and vegetables and perhaps a water feature with soothing sounds. Bird houses can also provide anticipation and entertainment. As an  example, all of these features can be seen and appreciated at Campbell House Hospice in Collingwood when visiting residents there. 
Congratulations to recently arrived Chantal Carriere, Executive Director, of Creeden Valley for recognizing the residents’ needs in this time of lockdown. I do hope that there are private spaces planned for the residents and staff  enjoyment. It is hoped that the enhanced front garden entrance achieved by the horticultural  society will be recognized and budgeted for in next years Sienna Living/ Creeden Valley Care Community budget for the publicly viewed front gardens and the private resident gardens. Gardens don’t need to cost a lot of money but they do need to be planned and maintained within  a budget. The planning and maintenance of gardens will reap dividend benefits for everyone involved.
The Mill Street central Horticultural  Garden  was greatly missed this year but will be even better in the new expanded Creemore Village Green that opens next year. I look forward to visiting this vibrant new community nucleus.  
Creemore is certainly a village with a heart as evidenced by the ongoing volunteering of The Creemore Horticultural Society!
Anne Arrell,
Mulmur.