Submitted by Tobermory Health Services Auxiliary
In 2012, the Tobermory Medical Centre (Our Home for Health) opened its doors to serve the medical needs of the residents of our municipality. The building and grounds are owned by the Municipality and the Peninsula Family Health Team are the primary practitioners. The building is also the home of the Tobermory Hyperbaric Chamber & Facility For Divers, Patients & Researchers.
While the Municipality looks after regular maintenance – interior cleaning, lawn cutting, snow removal, etc, the finishing touches are looked after by volunteers from the Tobermory Health Services Auxiliary. The flowers, shrubs, landscaping, including the commemorative plaque gardens, are carefully groomed, watered and maintained over the spring, summer and fall months to provide a welcoming arrival for patients and staff. The volunteer crew who looks after these activities include Judy Caulfeild-Browne, Mary Ann Stevenson, Dawn Harpur, Helen Schenk and Judy Cowell.
One particular challenge has been combating the never ending growth of weeds. For the past years since the clinic opened, volunteers have faithfully attended to the pulling and removal of these unwelcome plants only to see them return with a vengeance. This year however, one local resident decided to make a lasting difference. Norbert Woerns worked tirelessly over several months this summer. He removed all of the landscaping stones, washed them, raked and removed all possible evidence of new growth, layered heavy duty landscaping fabric and replaced the stones to their original location. All by himself! No compensation – in his words “this is my donation”. The result looks fantastic!
While we are thankful for all of the volunteers who help keep the grounds looking good, we are especially thankful to Norbert, not just for the immediate improvement to the overall appearance, but for eliminating this annual, backbreaking task from our volunteers.
