Gardening Team: Dragonflies

This photo of the the Dragonflies was taken at their potluck get together in August 2009.

This capable team is headed by team leader Marion Vaillant. The dragonfly team was formed in 1996, when they were with Living Fit, before all the gardeners were recognized as Heritage Gardeners in 1997. Three of the original group are still with the team. Eva Houston was the first team leader and Marion Vaillant took over in 1998, when Eva was unable to continue. There were quite a few Dragon flies visiting their garden area while they gardened, so they decided it would be a more appropriate name for the group, so they became "Dragonflies" in 2006. Another lover of Dragon Flies, Brenda Holbien, joined the group because of the name.

Dragonflies represent new light and joy
Life is never quite the way it appears
But is always filled with light and colour
The Dragonfly reminds us to
"Let our Light Shine Forth"

Their flower bed, Bed #39, is located along beside the seniors garden near the sundial.

This special guest made an appearance at the Dragonfly potluck, isn't that appropriate!

Guest Gardeners are welcome to join our program at anytime for a few hours of gardening fun and education

If you are looking for a great way for your company or group to have a bit of fun while contributing to the beautification and care of our beautiful city, then you may join our program for a few hours of gardening fun and education with our guest gardener program. Call the office at 472-4006 to find out more. You may print off our Guest Gardener forms in advance and contact us when you have decided on a day and time that you would like to help out at the waterfront. Heritage Gardener Teams always welcome some extra helping hands especially during the busy spring season in late May and early June.

Feature Guest Gardeners: The North Woods Project

Every year for the past four years young men from the Northwoods project have donated some of their time to help the Heritage Gardeners at the waterfront and their help is very much appreciated

Scott Summer who coordinates the Northwoods project out of Kent State University, provided this information about the Campus Crusade Program and the Northwoods Project:

"The Northwoods Project is a group of American university students who desire to share God's love with the world.

Every year, 25 students from all over the states travel to North Bay (which is in the region Americans call the Northwoods!) to spend 6 weeks getting to know God better, serve others in the community and talk to Canadians about Christ.

The project is situated on the Nipssing/Canadore college campus. Special work and volunteer activites fill up most of the days. This year the project volunteered at the Near North Mental Health Centre and the Near North youth detention facility spending time with patients and kids. The project also spends time each year doing volunteer work in the community such as gardening at the waterfront and picking trash on the city trails. The Northwoods Project also travels to Bear Island on Lake Temagami, to perform volunteer work and spend time with kids on the island school.

It is a tremendous opportunity for American college students to serve others and experience other cultures. We hope that as we volunteer Canadians will see Godís love through us and as a result desire to know Christ in a personal way.

The project is run by Campus Crusade for Christ International, a non-denominational American-based ministry started in 1951.

Thanks for letting us serve you, North Bay. We are looking forward to seeing you this spring!"

The North Bay Heritage Gardeners truly appreciates the work and dedication of these young men. All told they donated 300 hours of time to the gardens at the waterfront and we wish them all the best for longlife and happiness in the years to come.

More guest gardeners help out the waterfront gardeners in 2010 and 2011

The past couple of years many people have helped out as guest gardeners with the transplanting of trees and shrubs at the Community Waterfront Park.  Individuals from Community Living North Bay, One Kids Place, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Home Depot and Union Gas have also helped for a few hours at a time to make our waterfront and the Community Waterfront Park more beautiful. Your help has been very much appreciated by the citizens of North Bay who frequent the waterfront.