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Central Alberta seniors are lending their hands to help recreate
some of the area's historic gardens in a new program at the
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. In exchange, the village waives
its prohibition against modern vehicles to provide special free
tours of the site by van.
"Because our site is so big, it can be difficult for some
elderly people to walk around, and many aren't able to climb up on
the wagons to take advantage of our wagon rides, either," says
Mary Ann Ryan, a senior interpreter who heads up the new program.
This spring, Ryan sent letters to 71 seniors' centres, lodges
and associations in the area asking if they would like to plant
seeds in exchange for a special free admission program. Availability
was limited so the earliest responses were selected.
Village staff dropped seeds off early this spring and picked up
the seedlings in late May for transplanting. In July and August, the
senior gardeners will be treated to free tours of the site by van.
"The interpreters will bring artifacts right onto the van
for them," Ryan says. "After the tour, we'll provide
cinnamon buns and coffee. Lawrence [Skubleny; another interpreter]
will play the accordion and we'll sing and have a good time."
Participants include the Lamont Health Care Centre, Willingdon
Senior Citizens' Association, Rivercrest Lodge Nursing Home, Fort
Saskatchewan, Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge, Lamont, Jubilee Lodge
Nursing Home, Edmonton, St. Michael's extended Care Centre,
Edmonton, and Sherwood Park Nursing Home.
"They were really happy to do this," says Ryan.
"They thought it was just great to get the community
involved."
The program fit right into the gardening program at the Lamont
Health Care Centre, whose residents planted marigolds for the
heritage gardens, says Wendy Horricks, a recreation therapist at the
centre.
"Almost all of our people were farmers, so they are used to
working with the soil and growing vegetables and flowers. Gardening
is one of those activities they're familiar with and the majority
quite like it."
For information contact Mary Ann Ryan, senior interpreter,
780-662-3855, ext. 182.
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