Every spring while out in the Greenhouses and Garden Center, I am thrilled to see some of our regular customers. By 'regular' customers I mean I have seen them every year as long as I've been here!

Please meet a few of our seasoned gardeners:

June Campbell, of Crystal Lake, will be celebrating her 95 birthday on July 2nd! She loves to garden and has been doing so for as long as she can remember. For Mother's Day, June received a hanging basket of our popular petunia, Raspberry Blast, and was so pleased with how it matched the colors of her house. She was then surprised by a friend who brought her a barn quilt with the similar colors that matched both her flowers and her house! "I just love all the flowers. I love gardening and all the beauty that comes with it". June's favorite flowers are orange roses. When asked, "Mom, where do you want to go today?" her response, no matter what the season, is always, "Countryside", her favorite place to go.

Pearl Willhamer, of Woodstock, was in shopping with her daughters to celebrate her 95th Birthday! Pearl also loves to garden. She planted and maintains the beautiful gardens at Hearthstone in Woodstock - perhaps you've visited family or friends there and have enjoyed sitting among the gorgeous hydrangeas or colorful annual gardens. Maybe, you've also seen her beautiful container gardens at the Historical Society in Union. "I've been gardening for over 60 years. I love flowers and gardening. The key is to deadhead and pinch back plants." Pearl enjoys gardening all spring through summer and in winter, she designs and displays a beautiful and detailed miniature village.

Faye Nelson, of Island Lake, celebrated her 101st birthday on May 20! "It's important to stay active by working in the garden! It's good for long life. I worked in the garden most of my life." Faye has lived in Island Lake for over 60 years. She has revised the landscape of her double lot three times.
While commenting on Faye's youthful appearance, she let me know she loves coming here because "You sell stuff that keeps people healthy!".

As many of you know, gardening and growing food is very rewarding and good for you, your health, your family, and the community. I'm glad I can share these three seasoned gardeners' stories with you today and their wonderful testimonials of how gardening keeps you young!

	Lori Harms Greenhouse Grower, Manager

If you would like to read more about the benefits of gardening and food growing for health and well being, visit:  American Horticultural Therapy Association