GRAVENHURST HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY DONATES $1,000 FOR HOSPICE MUSKOKA BUTTERFLY GARDEN IN PORT CARLING

PORT CARLING — A butterfly garden next Andy’s House is emerging thanks to another generous donation by the Gravenhurst Horticulture Society.

President Mark Clairmont, treasurer Kathryn Joselin and member Lois Cooper dropped by the Hospice Muskoka residence to drop off a cheque on behalf of the society for $1,000.

The money is partial proceeds from gardening endeavours including their annual May 24 spring plant sale, flower shows and monthly meetings.

The presented the cheque to Sarah Hudson, clinical co-ordinator.

It’s the latest community contribution the Port Carling palliative care centre as they continue plans to create a plant garden that will attract butterflies as it grows and takes bloom in the coming years.

Hospice Muskoka recently completed the purchase of the property on West Street next door near the Indian River thanks to a generous sponsor.

And they are in the process of having the Port Carling Garden Centre design the site for next year and are also in the midst of fundraising for naming rights.

The garden will complement their ongoing virtual butterfly initiative, which anyone can contribute to in memory of a loved family member who may have spent their last days in one of the eight beds — or in memory of others who have died and you would like to help the private facility continue to operate.

People can provide butterfly bushes, memorial benches. And their new gift shop will also be featuring butterfly items. Sponsors will be featured on their website.

Hospice Muskoka is a private end of life care home, which receives partial funding for some beds from the province along with financial support for other beds from Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare.

They also provide home palliative services across south Muskoka.

For more information see their Facebook page at https://www.hospicemuskoka.com/andys-house

Or call them at 705-721-8010.

And if you’d like more information about the Gravenhurst Horticultural Society, which meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Gravenhurst Seniors/Active Living Centre, see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/gravenhursthorticulturalsociety/

You can also contact Clairmont at 705-687-2103 or email him at mark@muskokatoday.com

Hospice Muskoka clinical co-ordinator Sarah Hudson, centre, accepts $1,000 cheque from Gravenhurst Horticultural Society president Mark Clairmont, left, treasurer Kathryn Joselin and member Lois Cooper. The donation is for a butterfly garden planned next door on West Street in Port Carling at Andy’s House. The garden will be located next year just behind where the cheque presentation was made.
The Muskoka palliative care in Port Carling is also fundraising with a virtual butterfly program. See their website and Facebook page for more information.