April 2005 - The Citizen

Flowers start to bloom in garden
by Jennifer Dempsey

UPPER NAPPAN - Spring has sprung at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's healing garden.

A project of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, the Holy L. Spicer Healing Garden is springing to life as flowers break ground and buds sprout at the facility, which was officially opened last summer. The 5,000 square foot healing garden was constructed in an area located between the medical and intensive care units of the venture because of a bequest from the estate of the late Holly L. Spicer of Spencer's Island.

It has a scent garden, foundation, shaded seating area and a pathway designed in the shape of a figure eight for walking. It also boasts irrigation an lighting systems.

Cumberland Health Care Foundation managing director Jodi Swan is anxiously awaiting the opening of the healing garden that she said will continue to grow and fill in over the next couple of years.

"It will be beautiful and people are getting anxious to use it."

She is proud of the finished product that she describes as unique to Nova Scotia.

"It's the only one of its kind I know of in the province. It's really nice to have it," she said of the healing garden which was designed by Gordon Ratcliffe Landscape Architects in conjunction with William Nycum Associates Ltd. of Halifax. However, Amherst-based company, Fundy Landscaping Services, constructed it.

"Its sounds and sights are a sensory experience," Swan went on to say.

Best of all, she said the healing garden will remain at the health care centre for many years to come as a portion of the bequest was set aside in order for it to be maintained.

"It will continue to be here in the years to come because the money is there to maintain it indefinitely."

However, the foundation also has some other exciting things in store over the next couple of weeks. Its board of directors is preparing for the annual distinguished service award that is presented annually at the foundation dinner. It will go to a person who has, for a number of years, provided outstanding and unselfish services to the foundation and the health care community in Cumberland County Through a contribution of time, effort, talent, and resources. That person's leadership has significantly enhanced the success of the foundation's mission and goals.

The foundation's mission is to enhance the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre's ability to provide a high standard of health care to all residents of CUmberland County by raising funds and supporting new and improved services, programs, equipment and facilities.

Although unable to release the name of this year's recipient, Swan described the individual as very deserving of the honor. Past recipients include Roger S. Bacon, Jean Miller, Rosemary Donkin, Blake Daley, Stu and Cathy Pipe and Marsh Fox. Nomination for the award closes on March 25.

The award will be presented at the foundation's seventh annual dinner being held at the Wandlyn Inn in West Amherst on Friday, April 15, 2005. Guest speaker for the evening will be Cumberland Health Authority chief of staff, Dr. Ian Sutherland who will address the topic of the Cumberland South rural proactive network as well as the success of the physician recruitment program.

As always, the evening will also feature a live and silent suction highlighting the tremendous talents of local artisans. All funds raised from the auction will be used to support the mission of the foundation. Tickets are $40 per person an can be purchased at the foundation office or from any member of the board.

THe health care facility's art gallery continues to be well patronized, with about five pieces being sold over the past year or so. The gallery was recently expanded and 15 or more local art pieces now adorn two separate areas of the heath care centre.

"People are so talented around here," praised Swan. "There's still quite a bit of interest in it."

In light of the large artistic population in the area, Swan said she would some day like to see the exhibit expanded to include photography and other forms of media.