Gardeners in Residence

The grounds at Mt. Assisi Place have been blooming with color since Spring, thanks in no small part to the efforts of our residents and staff.

Tom Steenbeke and Dave Hunkele handle general maintenance on the grounds and regularly water the plants all around our buildings. They’ve received help from some unlikely sources in upkeep of flowers at the main entrance, on the Marian Hall outdoor patio and even down in St. Francis Cemetery at the rear of our property.

Like clockwork, Sisters Joyce Burkhart, a seasoned green thumb, and Pat Marie Buranosky can be found outside the main doors after supper each evening. They water and tend to a variety of colorful plants in the three large urns that welcome employees and visitors to our personal care home.

Resident Emil Parent takes equally loving care with the plants on the outdoor patio in Marian Hall. He has maintained a potted garden of both flowers and tomatoes, taking time to water and prune them each evening.

The flowers were donated by Margaret Potter, daughter of resident Stephanie Dumser. Elaine Chegas, weekend activities staffer, contributed the tomato plants, and Karen Vevers, activities director, grew zinnias and marigolds from seed. All thrived thanks to Emil’s efforts.

Sister Roselyn Kuzma has spent many summer afternoons weeding around the graves in St. Francis Cemetery, the final resting places for members of the School Sisters of St. Francis. Her attentiveness has helped to maintain the marigolds planted earlier this Spring by Brian Steenbeke, Tom’s 6-year-old son.

It’s truly been a community effort in maintaining the plant life here on our hilltop, creating color to be enjoyed by employees coming to work, visitors who stroll the grounds, and residents who need only peek from their windows to view their vibrance.