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The Citizen, 2009-06-04, Page 18When times are tough, people tend to lend their money to necessity, pri- ority and survival as opposed to beautification, betterment and mate- rialistic concerns. Ingy Marshall, a perennial expert at a local nursery says, however, in times of economic hardship, people will often turn to gardening and home improvements in lieu of extravagant vacations or exorbitant purchases. “A lot of people have very tough decisions to make. Definitely,” she says. “When times are tough, people will sometimes forego the expensive holiday, but they have that North American urge to satisfy them- selves.” She added that a nice, well-round- ed garden can be a perfect substitute for extravagant purchases. “A garden can make a great living space to enjoy throughout the entire year.” Marshall adds that while people might not think now is the best time to be spending money on plants, in reality, there is no time like the pres- ent, seeing as how landscaping falls under the umbrella of home improvements that are eligible for the federal government’s home improvement grant of up to $1,500. However, Marshall says, that may be difficult for many homeowners to pull off in these times, with costs of approximately $10,000 being neces- sary to receive the maximum amount of $1,500 back from the govern- ment. Marshall says that sales at her nursery have not slowed down at all in these times of economic hardship. The long winter made for a slow start to the gardening season, but now that it is in full swing and June is Perennial Gardening Month, it’s business as usual. In addition to initial costs, points of concern can also be maintenance and replacement costs when consid- ering gardening once spring rolls around. However, with many munic- ipalities moving into metered water systems, the use of water has become a concern for gardeners as well. Marshall says there are ways around all of these concerns and that perennials are the key to solving any gardener’s monetary worries. Marshall says that money spent on a perennial is money well spent, with some plants lasting up to 40 or 50 years with just one planting. Marshall says that after the first year of planting a perennial garden, it will rarely need water or any main- tenance. “You can just clear up the dead wood each year and just keep it heavily-mulched,” she says. “When you’re starting out, keep a good, thick layer of mulch down. It pro- tects the roots and keeps the plants moist.” Marshall says the mulch acts as a carpet that protects the plants and also prevents weeds, with the excep- tion of the occasional dandelion. With the all-season protection and low maintenance that mulch pro- vides, Marshall says, this is the sys- tem that the Royal Botanical Gardens have gone to in Hamilton, along with many of Ontario’s most beautiful gardens. It also bypasses the effort that a traditional dirt garden requires, get- ting back to the root of what garden- ing should be in the first place, she says. “I know some people still feel that a dirt garden is the only way, and it works for some people, but it can be very hard,” she says. “If your garden is making you work every weekend, you’re doing it wrong. It should require minimal effort and provide you with maximum pleasure.” PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN,THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2009. A low cost alternative to gardening I’d like to share this next item with present and former members of the Londesborough United Church’s Bible study group. Last Tuesday morning I went to the Queensway Retirement/Nursing Home in Hensall to attend their church serv- ice. Church is held there every Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. Rev Paul Ross was leading the service that morning and he was part of my reason for attending. I like to attend the service there by sitting with former Londesborough resident, Beth Knox. Knowing Paul was conducting the service that day, Beth found the music for the ‘theme song’of the Bible study group, Trustand Obey. Activation person CarolGascho and myself sang this famil-iar hymn as a duet. I was pleased tohave been a part of that service.Paul explained to the residentsgathered there his history with theBible study group and thanked Bethfor a great memory. The news spread quickly about the village and area that Sunday morn- ing, May 17. It was the sort of news we heard about on a regular basis from Murray Lyon. But this news about Murray was met with a meas- ure of shock and disbelief. Murray had passed away just one week after his 79th birthday. Some of us real- ized Murray had not been feeling all that well but hadn’t expected this result. Murray Lyon lived all his life within a couple of miles of his birth- place. He was born on the 13th of Hullett in the house now owned by Richard Wilts. When Murray and Shirley were first married in 1958, they lived in Blyth. Then in 1961 they built a new home in Londesborough.Since his retirement Murray hasspent much of every winter inFlorida.Murray spent all of his workingyears in the construction business.Thirty-nine of those years he workedfor George Radford Construction.Summers he spent overseeing road work and in the winters he plowed snow. Murray enjoyed keeping in touch with the business of construction since his retirement. He attended sales and reunions, like the Blyth Threshers’ reunion, both here in Canada and in the United States all year ‘round. Murray was a member of the Londesborough Masonic Lodge and the Londesborough United Church. He bowled for a number of years with the Londesborough men’s bowling league. And he played hockey as a young man; he was a member of that winning Intermediate hockey team from 1947-48. Later he was a referee and umpired at the local ball diamond. His interest in sports was passedon to his son, Bradley, a cardedumpire.His daughter, Deanna, followed inher mother Shirley’s footsteps and isa teacher in London. Murray alsoleaves to mourn his passing a sevenyear old granddaughter, Maya, andthree step-grandchildren. And Murray was good to help out his aunt, Edythe Beacom who will also miss him. As his brother, Bert, remarked, Murray liked to meet people and to talk. He took a keen interest in the happenings of the area. He was somewhat of a local historian and had a wonderful stash of old photos. I have consulted Murray more that once for background for these week- ly village columns. More often than not, one would hear the local news first from Murray. His police scanner and the coffee group kept him informed. It will be strange not to see Murray about the village this sum- mer and enjoy the aroma of his pipe. Annual beauty Ingy Marshall is one of the biggest perennial advocates in the area. With little money and even less maintenance, a wonderful garden can keep coming back year after year with perennials, she says. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Happy 50th Anniversary Stan & June Johns Open House Saturday, June 13th, 2009 from 1:00 - 4:00 pm Vanastra Christian Church All donations can be made to Canadian Foodgrains Bank or Sleeping Children Around the World NEWS FROM LONDESBORO By BRENDARADFORDCall 523-4296PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO There was a smaller than normal turnout at the May 27 meeting of the Happy Gang Seniors. Following the usual pot luck meal at the Londesborough Community Hall, items of business were dis- cussed. Members of the group will help residents at Huronlea in Brussels celebrate birthdays on June 9. Gladys Van Egmond will arrange the music and others will bring cookies. The final meeting of the term for the seniors’group will take place on June 24. It will be a noon potluck this year. Happy Gang meets By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Stick With the Classifieds. 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