The Boothbay Region Garden Club's Garden Therapy group never fails to delight.

This month the Garden Therapy team has brought the forest to the people. Many of the residents at St. Andrews Village can no longer easily access the outdoors let alone get into the forest to enjoy all that nature has to offer.

"An Enchanted Forest," a diorama created inside a hollowed out artificial pumpkin that offers a peek at nature in miniature, was fashioned by the team and Village residents for their September garden therapy activity.

The pumpkins were filled with two kinds of artificial moss on the bottom to create a forest floor. Flat river stones built up each scene within the pumpkin. Seasonal and pine trees were added for a colorful background and finally, either a stag or doe with her fawns were placed at the front to complete the tranquil forest landscape. Six pumpkins were completed and can be found in places within the Gregory Wing, Safe Havens, Zimmerli Pavilion and upstairs in the Assisted Living areas to welcome their visitors.

The Garden Therapy projects increasingly reflect the team's sensitivity to the needs of the population they serve. Providing “hands on” activities, mimicking nature in miniature, making available the opportunity to work with live flowers and plants, celebrating significant holidays and creating occasions for joyful interaction is what the Boothbay Region Garden Therapy program is all about.

The BRGC is affiliated with NGC (National Garden Clubs Inc.) and is a member of the GCFM (Garden Club Federation of Maine).

For more information on how you can become involved in Garden Club activities that benefit the community, check out the BRGC website at www.boothbayregiongardenclub.org.