The Oakwood Home for Women was founded in 1974; and the center has been at 1700 Highland Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. The home was started as a halfway house for women alcoholic women as no other facilities were available at the time.
The goal of the center is to provide women with an environment to help them so that they might not return to an alcoholic life. The residents of the center are given the time to get their life in order. Up to ten women are in residence and they are expected to to assist with the maintenance and care of the home.
Susie, who is the manager of the home, thought about having a fountain at the center. She had applied to the Highland Restoration Association for a grant for the fountain. It was turned down. When a member of the association was at the Renzie Center, she mentioned to Kaye Reilly that Oakwood wanted a fountain.
Kaye approached the Rivercities Garden Club to see if they would purchase a fountain for the center and they agreed. She found the fountain which Susie would like at Akin's Nursery (5901 E. Kings Highway 86?8-2701). Foster generously donated the fountain to the Oakwood home.
Within
a conversation between Susie and Kaye, they concluded that more than
a fountain, a serenity garden should be created that would provide a
private and quiet place for the residents. The Rivercities Garden
club and the Master
Gardeners would provide the manpower to create the garden. David
Huff and Smitty at Home Depot donated all of the plant material for
the project.
On
April 15, 2000 the board of directors for the center, members of the
Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners and Rivercities Garden Club met
at the center for a work day. A vegetable garden was planted. Border
gardens were dug and planted. The fountain was raised and a brick
walk placed around the fountain. While all of this was going on, a
great barbecue was served. Everyone who attended had a great time and
enjoyed the fellowship.
The
gardeners planted azaleas along the perimeter of the garden to
provide the basis for some seclusion in the future when the plants
have grown. The vegetable garden will provide tomatoes, peppers and
basal to accent the meals of the home later in the summer. Vinca
minor and impatients accent the gardens. Lantana, sweet olive, cast
iron plants and lariope cover the new beds.
Azaleas along the permitter for seclusion. veges tomato peppers and basal, vinca minor & impatients as perenials, lantana, sweet olive cast iron plant - aspodistra, lariope, daffodils
A statue of Saint Francis is being purchased by a donation of a member of Alcoholics Anonymous from Garrison's Nursery and will be installed in the near future.
EMAIL gardener@nwgardener.org
Web pages maintained by T. Reilly
850 Margaret Place, Shreveport, La. 71101
(318) 222-8187
Copyright © 1999