May: In the Garden: Accessible Lilac Fest!

May is our Accessible Lilac Fest. We have over 50 wheelchair-accessible Lilac Shrubs for public enjoyment. All are welcome, free-of-charge, to schedule a visit with us during the Open Garden times (Tuesdays/Thursdays 1-4pm) and at our Monthly Events (5/13 Memory Cafe & 5/14 Mother’s Day Sunday Stroll). We are super excited to have our Wheelchair-Accessible Lilac Fest article in the Spring 2023 Quarterly Journal of the International Lilac Society (ILS). Lilac Lovers around the World will now know of this special collection, and we might possibly inspire others to make their Lilacs more wheelchair-friendly for families to enjoy during Lilac Time. The ILS gifted us ‘Scentara Double Blue’ as first time attendees to the 50th ILS Convention in Rochester, NY last May – this gift is one of three mature shrubs planted in the Lilac Nursery, along the new wheelchair-accessible Forest Flowers Trail. Thanks again to our Donors who contributed $10K to the building of wheelchair-accessible trails in 2022!
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“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” Norwegians will say… and we say it here at Rest-Stop-Ranch Accessible Gardens in Topsfield, MA, USA! One of the better times to enjoy the colorful tulips and daffodils is during spring rains. What to wear to enjoy these delights to stay warm and dry? A rain jacket/shell with hood or waterproof hat; warm top layers; warm, dry, and rain-resistant pant layers; closed-toe shoes or boots.

“From an early age Norwegians soon learn how to dress appropriately. Grasping the concept of layering is just as important as learning to count. If Norwegians didn’t go out in bad weather, in certain parts of the country they would never go out at all!” (source: Life in Norway website; November 1, 2013 by David Nikel)
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Our May Accessible Lilac Fest begins May 9 & 11 – Tuesday/Thursday “Garden Rx” 1-4pm. Enjoy Thousands of Daffodils with Early Blooming Lilacs! 50 Lilac Plants are wheelchair-accessible.

Volunteer with us! Weekly, Monthly, & Student Internship volunteer opportunities are available.

Our Saturday Memory Cafe (10AM to 12PM) In the Garden will happen May 13. Meet & Eat with us after the Memory Cafe, 12pm – 1pm (bring a brown bag lunch & beverage). Mother’s Day Sunday Stroll in the Garden, May 14, 10am – 2pm. 3 Private Picnic Areas are available for reservation (free-of-charge). We will offer a choice of 2 sessions for public reservations: Morning or Afternoon (10a – 12pm and 12-2pm). Parking is limited. Reserve early.

RSVP Required for All Programs – please call/text Mary (978-887-4202)

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Please share our free-of-charge support programs with friends, family, clients, patients, or customers who are living the roles of long-term care-partner or care-receiver.

All Programs are at At Rest-Stop-Ranch in Topsfield, unless noted otherwise
Date Time Program Name
5/9, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

5/11, 9am – 12pm, Garden Crew

5/11, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

5/13, 10am – 12pm, Memory Cafe in the Garden

5/13, 12pm – 1pm, Meet & Eat

5/14, 10am – 2pm, Sunday Stroll – Mother’s Day!

5/16, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

5/18, 9am – 12pm, Garden Crew

5/18, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

5/18, 7pm-8pm, Group Support (Caregivers)

5/23, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

5/25, 9am – 12pm, Garden Crew

5/25, 1pm – 4pm, Garden Rx

Program Descriptions

– Weekly Garden Rx
Open Garden; Tuesday/Thursday, 1-4pm; A Therapeutic Garden Program. Volunteers assist with hospitality and/or light garden maintenance. Caregivers enjoy respite (take a break in nature or at The Cottage). Individuals enjoy engaging with flowers, birds & fish.

– Weekly Garden Crew
A weekly Thursday therapeutic morning garden crew (adults with differing abilities) helps maintain the wheelchair-accessible garden trails and garden beds.

– Monthly Group Support for Caregivers via Zoom
Monthly group for middle-age care-partners caring for a loved one with memory changes (FTD, Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, Brain Injury, Down Syndrome with Dementia)

– Monthly Memory Cafe Program in the Garden
2nd Saturdays, Once-a-month, People with memory changes and care-partners gather for coffee, flower fun, bird & fish watching.

– Monthly Sunday Stroll
2nd Sundays, Once-a-month, hourly appointments in the Garden.

– Respite Retreats & Individual Support for Caregivers
By appointment with Mary E MacDonald, interfaith chaplain.
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Consider a donation to our cause! 3 Easy Ways to Donate:
1. Online – Facebook.com/reststopranch; Venmo “Rest-Stop-Ranch”
2. Check – made payable to “Rest-Stop-Ranch”; mail to:
202 Haverhill Road, Topsfield, MA 01983
3. Cash – Locked Boxes Onsite