Saturday, July 4, 2015

Pet Memory Area



We have now created a small area of the garden for any Wintergreen owner or former owner who would like to memorialize a deceased pet that enjoyed the mountain with their owner. One can purchase a small, engraved memory stone for placement in the pet memory area.  The Steering Committee will serve as points-of-contact for ordering memory stones. Approx. size = 3-4” Cost = $25, which includes cost of stone, engraving and small donation to the Garden’s maintenance fund.

Wintergreen Gardeners spruce up the Reflection Garden


Thanks to all the gardeners, who participated in the Reflection Garden Work Day on June 19th, under the coordination of Sue Carlson. Thanks to Sue Tiller and her mother, Terri Brooks, Georgia Orphan, Gwynn Litchfield, Vera Jones, Betty Kane, Gloria Daly, and Maria Spence. (Hopefully, I didn’t miss anyone!)

The garden is looking loved.

Really appreciate your help! The Reflection Garden is truly the result of a collective effort by Wintergreen mountain folk. 

Saturday, June 6, 2015


The Reflection Garden is looking good after the harsh winter. All four benches are in place, fresh mulch applied and some weeding/pruning attended to.  

In late June, the Wintergreen Women's Garden Group is going to tackle some weeds on the peripheral areas of the garden, which we are clearing out to enable the native plantings to thrive.  We have extended the entrance berm on the left and will be planting it soon.

Next up is a small area for remembering our mountain pets. It will be created this summer, and we will notify folks when it is ready. Any Wintergreen owner or former owner who would like to memorialize a specific pet (one whom enjoyed the mountain with their owner) can purchase a small engraved memory stone for placement in the pet area.  The Steering Committee will serve as points-of-contact for ordering memory stones. The cost will be $25.00. 

Reminder of who is on the Steering Committee - Marti Szczur, Chair; Cindy Coy, Treasurer; Pat Thompson, Lynn Luessen, Bob Scott, Jill Toop, Vera Jones, Georgia Orphan, and Sue Carlson.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Two of the benches have arrived!


Mark Mcquarry delivered the two new benches on Monday afternoon. He did a wonderful job of engraving, and they look wonderful. Bob, Vera, Pat and I identified initial spots for them (can always be repositioned if we like once all four benches are there.) 

Jill and George dropped off the Marker’s bench, so Mark McQuarry took it to be engraved as “donated by Barbara and Tom Marker” and then drove over to pick up Pat’s bench to be engraved in memory of Jan.  Once the exact wording for engraving is decided, Mark will engrave them and deliver to Garden. We are so lucky he has been able to support us on this.



The pines have become distressed from (I assume) lack of serious rain, so we gave them a good soak today.  Anyone want to volunteer to water again next week if we don’t get a good rain?

Thursday, September 25, 2014

September 2014 Garden Status

Entry stones were put in place today with help of Bob, Jill, Lynn, and Marti. The engraving came out great on rocks we had selected from Wintergreen mountain. King Custom Engraving in Stuart's Draft did the work for us.


King Custom Engraving will also engrave our memory stones for us.  Here is the stone that Bob Scott ordered in memory of Sarah. Reflection Garden memory stones for remembering deceased Wintergreen property owners and their family members, plus  Wintergreen employees can be ordered for $50 from the Steering Committee. If interested, please contact the Chair, Marti Szczur at szczurm@gmail.com.  






Our benches will be coming this fall. Mark McQuarry is creating two new benches for us and two other of his benches, owned by mountain folks, have been donated to the Garden.

Other than extending the left front entry berm to curve around the front a bit more, the Garden will go into winter rest mode.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Minutes from Steering Committee Meeting on July 18, 2014


Wintergreen Reflection Garden
Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2014  10 am

Attendees: Cindy Coy, Vera Jones, Bob Scott, Marti Szczur, Pat Thompson

  •           Treasurer’s Report – Cindy reported that we have a current balance of $1,750. Known upcoming costs include two engraved stone benches from Mark McQuarry, engravings on two existing stone benches, engraved entry stone, two serviceberry (or similar trees) to go in open area to left of garden, and additional future plants/materials.

  •         Maintenance

o   Mulch - We are hoping WPOA can provide us with more mulch, as the walking areas need another layer.  Marti will check with Gary, again.  If they are unable to provide mulch, we’ll investigate getting a free delivery of wood chips from one of the tree care companies. Once received, we’ll need to schedule a mulch moving party.
o   Watering – Watering crew is keeping plants happy. Marti purchased 3 lightweight “pocket hoses” for water ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ to use for rest of summer/fall (when she’d like to have them back.:-)  Vera discovered how much easier these hoses were to use than lugging the no-doubt stronger, but heavy rubber hoses around.

  •         Pathway rocks – Committee concurred that the pathway rocks from the Schwiesows looked good.

  •         Signage

o   Entry rock – Cindy will discuss with Mark McQuarry about whether her greenstone rock can be engraved and what the cost will be.  If Mark is unable to engrave it, Kings Custom Engraving can do it, assuming we bring it to them.
o   Memory stones – Sample of the 4-5” rock as placed among river stones. Size was appropriate for blending in with larger stones. Tentative agreement was to charge $50 for engraved stone. Our cost is $30 with tax, and extra $20 would go toward garden maintenance and rock pick-up costs (gas and time.)
o   Shh… rocks – It was felt that we’d delay purchasing these rock signs.  The entry garden sign of “Wintergreen Reflection Garden – a place of peace and remembrance” gives the idea of the nature and purpose of the garden, and the signs seemed kinda off-putting.

  •         Benches - Cindy will order from Mark McQuarry the two benches purchased by Bob Scott and Helen Eisenhart, and Mark will engrave as requested. Cindy will also discuss with Mark about timing for us to delivery the two existing benches to him for engraving.

  •         Notifications
o   Draft article for the Fall MHA LINK was distributed by Marti to Steering Committee for review/comment. Suggestions were added to article. It is not due until mid-Sept., so article will be checked for accuracy/updates before final submission. 
o   It was also suggested that an article be sent to WPOA for option of including in their newsletter, as well as a Q&A list related to questions WPOA may get from property owners about the Reflection Garden (e.g., where it is, who to contact about making donations, buying a memory rock, general guidelines, etc.)
o   It was also suggested that an article be sent to the Stoney Creek newsletter editor for optional inclusion in their publication.
o   It was agreed that we should host a Ribbon cutting party in the Fall, after Phase One has been completed. Invitees would include all of those who contributed to the Garden’s implementation, as well as anyone interested. Planning this event can begin later this summer or early Fall.
o   Mountain Women will be given a preview tour of Garden at their August meeting.


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Wintergreen Reflection Garden Website is launched!





Thanks to Janelle Carroll for implementing Wintergreen Reflection Garden website.  As the Reflection Garden was initiated by a group of Mountain Women, it is available as a link from the Mountain Women Homepage. The address is 


An article about the Reflection Garden will be written for publishing in the Fall Mountain Homesteader Association's newsletter, The LINK. Other opportunities for spreading the word will be discussed among the Steering Committee.