Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Darlene Brandt, Joni and Paul Owens, Donna-Maria Conzalina, and Lil Stoltzfus pose by the garden's new addition.
Steve Brandt helps Paul Owens place the bench.
As the Blackville Garden Club (BGC) continues developing The Herbal Serenity Garden on Main Street, you’ll notice a new bench and wooden sign have recently been added.
Craftsman Paul Owens of Healing Springs in Blackville didn’t think twice when asked if he’d be interested in building a sturdy bench with an attached sign for the garden.
He explained to the project’s organizer and BGC member Donna-Maria Conzalina that he “built it out of cypress and it probably only took about an hour to build it.”
Why did he offer his craftsmanship without hesitation, she asked? Quite humbly, he said, “I like helping people, that’s it! We've been here for a long time. We were raised here.”
His devoted wife and fellow BGC member Joni Owens added, “This is our home, and we want to do what we can to help people. I grew up in Blackville and recently joined the garden club. The main reason is because my mom, Joan Martin; she’s 95 now, joined when I was growing up. She’s always done so much for the community and Paul and I like helping people too, just like my mom always has.”
Conzalina painted the lettering on the sign and a few club members gathered with Mr. Owens on October 4 for the installation.
On December 1, in recognition of South Carolina Arbor Day, the club will plant a special Rosemary Bush at the Herbal Serenity Garden. The plant, like the garden’s two previously planted eucalyptus trees, was purchased from Kinard’s Nursery in Barnwell. As with Owens, Mr. Kinard didn’t hesitate to go out of his way to help the BGC. He searched the grounds of his nursery to find the perfect rosemary bush that he said, "because of its established height and naturally formed center, it can easily be pruned and trained to grow as a nice tree.”
And that’s the BGC’s goal because nice fragrant trees and plants with healing properties are not only good for the body and mind, but also the soul.
John Muir, often referred to as The Father of our National Park System, was once quoted saying, “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
Good health and happiness are what the BGC hopes the Town of Blackville residents will enjoy as the garden grows.
BGC member Marla Jameson said, “I think the Serenity Garden will be a nice spot for folks out walking to take a break. It will just get better over time. As the trees grow, much needed shade will make the spot a welcome rest area.”
Fellow club member Darlene Brandt agreed, saying, “I think the Serenity Garden will provide a peaceful, relaxing place for Blackville residents.”
Future additions to the garden will include raised herbal beds, a garden archway, birdbath and more as donations arrive.
If you are interested in donating to this project, the BGC thanks you and welcomes you to contact the BGC’s project organizer at plantedseed383@gmail.com or Lil Stoltzfus, BGC president at herbsandbutterblies@hotmail.com.
