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C6 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesdsay March 28, 2001 Homes & Gardens Walkerton Water Garden a labour of love for community This past week we visited two of Canada's most popular gardening and landscaping shows. Our tour included the Stratford Garden Show where we learned the details of a unique project in Walkerton. A group of citizens from Walkerton and the surrounding communities of Blyth, Goderich, Meaford, Mitchell, St.Mary's, and Woodstock, have begun organizing a project known as Walkerton Blooms. The idea originated in Stratford, where a number of citizens joined together, as a result of their common concern for struggle the people of Walkerton have gone through, and decided to create a special tribute to its citizens -- a tribute in the form of a spectacular and permanent gar den and fountain. The plan for the Walkerton Heritage Water Garden, (as it is now offi cially called), is much larger and more elaborate than originally envi sioned. The garden will now occupy more than 2 acres of public land on the main street of Walkerton. One of the garden's main features will be a Memorial Fountain, (designed by Harry Jongerden, Head Gardener at the Stratford Festival), in the form of a massive rock formation, cracked open, with water flow ing out. The Memorial Fountain is intended to serve as a powerful sym bol of the renewal of life. "We are not willing to dwell on the tragic events of what happened here. This is water as it should be, the source of life and healing," explained Mr. Jongerden. At this point organizers have commitments from over 35 companies willing to donate labor and materials but the project needs donations for construction and long-term maintenance reports Jongerden. Anyone interested in donating money can do so by sending a cheque, (tax receipts are available) to Walkerton Blooms, c/o City of Stratford, Stratford, Ont., N5A 6W1. Additional information regarding donations and offers of volunteer help can also be viewed on their website, www.walkertonblooms.com. Phone inquiries can be directed to Harry Jongerden at the Stratford Festival, 519-271-4040, ext.2335. We also visited the fifth annual Canada Blooms, which was spon sored by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario. Canada Blooms is internationally recognized as one of the top five shows of its kind. Canada Blooms is a non-profit event, which promotes awareness and appreciation of horticulture and showcases outstanding floral and land scape designs, products and services. BRIAN BURTON Landscaping Forum As a result of the efforts of many volunteers who have donated their time over the past 5 years Canada Blooms has been able to re-invest the funds raised from the show in community projects, which nurture and enhance urban landscapes in Ontario. To date more than $270,000 has gone to a variety of projects, many of which are highlighted with pre sentations and displays at the show. Brian Burton is a regular contributor to many of Canada's leading land scaping and gardening publications. He is also responsible for develop ment of Corporate Partnerships for Communities in Bloom, a nationwide non-profit volunteer organization that promotes community involvement in environmental efforts, heritage preservation and civic beautification. Orchid Show at RBG on weekend The Royal B otanical G ardens has a full gardening season of sem inars planned and they include: Saturday & Sunday, March 31 & A pril 1: RBG Orchid Society Show; You do n 't need a green thum b to be charm ed by the thousands o f orchid bloom s, with a breathtaking diversity of colour and shape. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Photographers only: Sunday, 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday-Sunday, A pril 5-8: O ntario G arden Show Visit the region's prem ier outdoor gardening and design show, featuring over 100 exhibitors who offer everything from gardening products, plants, and seeds to gazebos, furniture and books. Lectures provide helpful tips from gardening experts. Call 522-6117, ext. 306. Thursday & Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m .; Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. HOME SHOW SPECIAL Deluxe Rain Barrel F or th o u sa n d s o f years, p eo p le have harv ested a n d saved rain w ater for d o m estic a n d ag ricu ltu ral use. T h e practice m akes ju s t as m u c h sense today, w h e n p o llu tio n a n d d ro u g h t th re a te n o u r c o u n try 's w ater supplies. R a in w ater is "so fter" th an m o st ta p w ater, a n d b e in g free o f th e chem icals used to treat m u n icip al w ater supplies, it's b e tte r for p lants a n d soil life. Show continues thro ugh Sunday (C ontinued from p age C 8) Reg. $ 1 19.95 i95* *Delivery Available *While quantities last! And for those new to cottaging, there's the Cottage Real Estate Centre where you can talk with realtors spe cializing in cottage retreats. For the handy, there's a canoe build ing demonstration and the Wildlife Centre you can find out more about cottage creatures and on Saturday take part in the Who Wants to Be a Nature Nut?', a new cottage country quiz show produced by the authors of Up North and Up North Again trivia. Penny Caldwell, editor of Cottage Life magazine will be on hand as will Linda Armstrong, host of Cottage Life Television. Hours are: March 30: noon-9:30 p.m.; March 31: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and April 1: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for youths 13-18 and children under 13 free. For more information, call 416-599200 or check out the website at www.cottagelife.com c l i r rs " b o u t i t i u i n m e H t S n e c i /d U t " There's a whole new world out there d is c o v e r it t o d a y . W W W . * 488 M orden Rd. O akville 9 0 5 -8 4 4 -4 3 0 4 www.Sunroom sCanada.com H /W m q SO M E H O M EIM PRO VEM ENTS T H /S S P R J/C ,! LA K ESID E PATIO EN C LO S U R E S & S O L A R IU M S IN C . fin e fa B u y ! Sunroom Open House Sat., April 7th & Sun., April 8th in our showroom "Since 1966" Authorized Dealer o f "Genuine" Patio Enclosures, Inc. VISIT OUR SHOWROOM: 180 Sheldon Dr., Cambridge, 1-800-565-5991 Mon, Tues, Fri 9am -5pm ; Wed & T hurs 9am -8pm ; Sat 10am-4pm OatiUesh B B lQ M cim .. ...w e 'llh e lp y o u s iz z le a ll sea so n lon gl B ar -B -Q G as G rill & F ir ep la ce In c . 490 SPEERS RD 844-3224 STORE HOURS: Mon-Thurs 8 :3 0-6:00; Fri 8:30-9:00; Sot 8:3 0 -5 :0 0 ; Son 12:00-5:00 w w w . b b q g a s g r i l l . c o m .c o v v v L e a ve it to us. W e're the Professionals. 1 or 20 years. Fine wood Products has been supplying furniture to meet the needs o f our custom ers and throughout this time, our goals and philosophies have remained consistent. We are now expanding into Home Renovations. Kitchen. Bath & recreation rooms. Our mission as with the furniture is total com m itm ent to you. our customer. F ^ V B e c o r a U t V g <9° * f i n i s STARFLEET CONSTRUCTION D i v is i o n o f F i n o w o o d P r o d u c t s 1200 SPEER S r o a d , u n it 6 O O C 0 0 ^ 5 2 (3 TM\7 v f C3