Trending
ASHVILLE – The Ashville community recently helped to beautify the Ashville Free Library.
A garden of native plants and shrubs, with plants purchased from Art Samples Nursery in Ashville and Royal Fern Nursery of Fredonia was installed to beautify the Ashville Library and road near the library. Preparation of the space was provided by Ronnie Blynt of RC Property Solutions. On a humid September day, volunteers Oliver Burgeson, a Panama High School student and National Honor Society member, Jo Ann Bardo, Heidi Bird, Julie Nelson of the Audubon Gardeners, Forest McCray, a community volunteer, Dinah Hovey, a Chautauqua County Master Gardener, and Carol Markham of the Everwild Land Trust put into place a garden designed by Markham, Bardo and Hovey, with native plants abounding.
The garden was made possible through a larger grant to create an outdoor space for the library from the state Department of Education and the Blossom Fund, administered through the Chautauqua Regional Community Foundation. As part of that project, Sivak Stonemasonry designed and installed a stone patio. The outdoor space is open to community members and library patrons to relax, meet up, or have programs. Kristina Benson, library director, said the outdoor patio has already been used for several programs, most recently a Monarch butterfly release with Betsy Burgeson of Chautauqua Institution, as part of a Thursday story time program.
A gathering is planned for Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. to formally inaugurate the space. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Carol Markham will discuss the yardscape program at Everwild Land Trust and members of the Master Gardeners and Audubon Gardeners will talk about the benefits of native plants and fall planting. All are welcome to attend.