 From the photos seen here, taken in mid-August, it’s apparent that “Patti’s Garden” at the Bob & Merle Scolnik Hospice House is growing and flourishing in its first year. With generous donations of materials and labor by Barry’s Flower Shop & Greenhouse of North Muskegon, along with ongoing tender, loving care by Dr. Colonel (Kern) Winnick, Hospice House residents and their guests can enjoy a colorful and restful place in the sun just by stepping through the double French doors of the Hospice House Day Room.
Given by Dr. Winnick of Norton Shores in memory of his wife, Patti, the garden was carefully planned by Dawn Barry in cooperation with Dr. Winnick and members of the Muskegon Garden Club. Then Barry’s planted all the trees, perennials and shrubs, donating approximately half of the materials. .Their contribution included a Gingko tree, a Japanese Maple tree, boxwood shrubs, and even the koi, or goldfish, for the pond.
 “The koi were chosen from among our own pets here at the greenhouse,” offered Dawn Barry, who explained that they were happy to share a few with Hospice House. “It was a lot of fun to create Patti’s Garden,” she added. “It has been rewarding to see what a beautiful spot it has become and how much the
residents enjoy it.”
Once the trees, shrubs and perennials were in the ground, members of the Garden Club arrived to plant flats of colorful annuals, and Dr. Winnick stops in regularly to weed, fertilize and care for the garden. Nancy McCarthy notes that  our “resident gardener” has been seen digging up and moving plants if he thinks there isn’t enough of the right color in a certain area. Now that is dedication and it is appreciated by all those who sit a while in the garden.
On this sunny summer day, the fruits (and flowers) of all this labor are enjoyed by resident Merle Oldt and his wife, Arita, who chat with their niece Julie Minzey while the fountain bubbles in the background.
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