A local teen is cultivating her interest in gardening as a volunteer for Communities in Bloom, and she encourages others to get involved.
Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Danis started volunteering with the organization this summer — and she’s glad she decided to give it a try.
“I really like it because it gives me something to do and it keeps me busy. I actually really like gardening,” she said.
“It’s really fun because you get to learn different things. I like to do gardening with both flowers and vegetables. I find it really relaxing and calming. You get to just look at all the different plants.”
Elizabeth’s artistic creations are also now incorporated in the Seniors and Indigenous Healing Garden in Stonewall. She painted images of four Indigenous plants that are growing in the garden: sage, cedar, tobacco and sweet grass.
“I learned about the new plants in the Indigenous garden and how they’re used and how they represent the Indigenous culture,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful place to hang out and a nice place to be if you ever need to just calm down. It has a beautiful calming effect.”
She’s also had the chance to create new connections, including with Stonewall Communities in Bloom co-chairs Asta Johannesson and Shelley Proven.
“I met a lot of really nice people, like Shelley and Asta,” Elizabeth said. “They’re respectful, and they’re also so funny and fun to hang out with.”
She’s looking forward to continuing her volunteer role with Communities in Bloom.
“I encourage other people to do this too,” she said. “It’s a fun way to meet new people and learn different things about plants.”
Communities in Bloom is always accepting new volunteers of all ages. No experience is needed. To learn more about getting involved, contact Asta Johannesson at 204-771-8768 or Shelley Proven at 204-513-1968.
