A gift spearheaded by MapleCreek Chaplain Becky Ebb-Speese has provided plants for a new butterfly garden at The Woods at MapleCreek in Grand Rapids. Pastor Becky directed that memorial gifts for her father, retired Lutheran pastor Kenneth, Ebb, be used for the garden. Pastor Ebb lived at The Woods at the end of his life. “He loved gardening, so we thought that the butterfly garden would be a good place to use his memorial contributions,” said Pastor Becky. Jodi Wise and Osmin Reyes, activities aides at The Woods, planted butterfly-attracting plants, including herbs, coneflowers, cosmos, black-eyed susans and Shasta daisies (photo). Beth Terborg, life enrichment coordinator for The Woods, hopes to add more plants, a nectar feeder, a butterfly house, and maybe a small tree.

Danish Village residents and friends have enjoyed gardening this summer. Ten residents of the Rochester Hills senior community work in the main garden, atop a nearby hill. For those unable to climb the hill, the staff constructed raised beds near the building. Several residents, most of whom use wheelchairs, enjoy gardening in those plots. In the photo (from left) Zola Morris, Jane Murdock, Marge Marovich and Andy Dina show off their produce.