Good Samaritan Village’s butterfly garden is a peaceful paradise for the residents of its healthcare center.
It was established some 25 years ago by resident Susan Kreider. And just like how a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, the garden has gone through a metamorphosis.
An event was held Nov. 27 to honor three people—Nancy Olson, Dick Diener and Dan “Butterfly Dan” Dunwoody— who helped Kreider fulfill her dream. The three were reunited at the special event, and they each were presented with gold butterflies to be mounted in their honor in the Butterfly Garden.
Sisters Olson and Kreider together got the garden off the ground. Construction began in 1999 and it was formally dedication in 2011 during the Good Samaritan Founder’s Day celebration. Diener led the way for the propagation center. Dunwoody has raised butterflies for over 35 years and has since become an international supplier. He and Diener worked together to build a hydroponic garden to grow host and food plants for the butterflies.
The garden is funded entirely by donations and the butterfly population is maintained by volunteers. Residents help tend the garden by watering the plants and removing weeds, and are learning the various stages of the metamorphosis process, becoming members of the “Butterfly Club”.
At the Nov. 27 event, the three innovators were introduced, and special recognition was given to Juan Rodriguez of JVision Butterfly Landscape and Design, who has helped revitalize the garden by introducing additional native plants to create an environment for the butterflies to thrive.
The culmination of the event was a release of 100 butterflies made up of 5 different varieties. Guests viewed a display of memorabilia and pictures from over the years while enjoying refreshments provided by the care center staff.
The event was a special day of reminiscing over the past and providing a vision for the future of the only Butterfly Garden of its kind in a healthcare facility.
To learn more about the butterfly garden and how to volunteer (No experience needed, they’ll train!) or donate, visit https:// www. goodsamaritan communitychurch.com/butterflygarden or check out GSV Butterfly Garden on Facebook.
