Community Spirit Lives Here! 2021-22

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing Linda and Jerry Jakubec for their Work in the Devon General Hospital Courtyard.

1. Linda and Jerry, how did you get involved with this project?

We were told last year that the Devon General Hospital Foundation was looking for some help with the hospital’s courtyard flowers, trees and shrubs, as well as the flower containers at the front entrance. So, we called to offer our help.

2. How much time do you spend at the garden?

We started in April and finished in November.  We were there pretty much every morning and afternoon. The courtyard has beautiful mature trees, shrubs, roses, perennials and annual flowers that needed frequent watering as last summer was so hot! The courtyard also needed some in-depth pruning and cleaning up from previous years.  

3. What are the challenges?

We just had one water source and had to drag hoses all over to water, keeping in mind that some residents who came out to enjoy the courtyard were in wheelchairs and needed access on paths free of watering hoses.  Watering will be less challenging in the future as the Devon General Hospital Foundation installed an irrigation system in the courtyard this fall.  However, the containers at the entrance to the hospital will still have to be watered by hand. Another challenge we had was keeping the suckers and vetch in check.

4. What are some of your favourite plants?

The roses were so beautiful—we were told that the hospital recreation coordinator picked the buds and made hand cream with the petals.  The trees were also wonderful as they provided shade.  Residents enjoyed eating the raspberries, and as the tomatoes, peppers and melons ripened, they got a taste of them too!

5. What do you hope the garden contributes to the community?

We were told by residents and employees how much they loved the plants and fragrances in the courtyard.  Most afternoons the residents were brought out to the pergola to enjoy outdoor events.  In effect, it was their home and backyard!  The hospital staff loved coming to the courtyard to enjoy the flowers during their lunches and breaks.  The residents had some flowers they liked and helped with their watering and deadheading and kept their own little pots beautiful!

6. Why do you think gardens are important?

We think the courtyard is very important to the residents’ physical and mental health. It provides a space for them to get outside in the fresh air and sun.

7. What month and what time of the day do you think the garden looks best?

This past summer, the best time in the courtyard was early morning as the birds were coming to eat and the temperature wasn’t too hot to enjoy the outdoors.  The courtyard looked nice all summer so residents and workers could enjoy it every day.

8. What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

Our favorite moments in the garden were seeing the flowers in bloom.  We also enjoyed seeing the birds playing in the bird baths and the resident rabbit chewing away on grass and hiding in his little hideout thinking we couldn’t see him!  I named him Spook! Lol

The courtyard is pure joy to anyone who visits.  It is an oasis for the long-term care residents that use it every day.

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the volunteers who have worked in Devon’s Highwood Wetlands “Garden”.

Along the paved walking trail through Highwood Park, there is a beautiful wetland area that has been restored through the efforts of local residents, including local wetlands specialist Kristen Andersen.

How did this project begin?

This project began when some local residents noticed that a weed infested area along the trail was being sprayed with herbicides. The area was known to have wildlife and includes a catch basin that connects to the stormwater system. The idea was born that we could restore the area so that spraying for weeds would not be required and it could be valuable to birds, pollinators and wildlife.

Who volunteers at the garden?

In addition to local residents surrounding the area, volunteers from the Devon Nature Club and Alberta Native Plant Council spend time working at the site. 

How much time do the volunteers spend volunteering at the garden?

Hand pulling weeds, mowing around the edges and installing native plants are the main volunteer activities.  The first two years (2016-2017) there were probably 3 to 4 weed pulls a year, plus a couple of all-day planting events. In the past couple years, the mowing continues, with about 2 weed pulls a year and with little to no active planting. Now we can sit back and watch the native plants grow.

What are the challenges?

Occasionally there's a disturbance along the edge by the trail, but this is minimal.

What are some of the favourite or outstanding plants?

Some of the native forbs (a herbaceous flowering plant other than a grass) installed in and around the wetland included giant hyssop, smooth aster, smooth fleabane, rhombic-leaved sunflower and prairie cinquefoil. Shrubs include red-osier dogwood, silverberry, snowberry, and prickly rose. Planted graminoids (grass-like plants with narrow leaves and barely noticeable flowers) included Crawford’s sedge, tufted hair grass, slough grass, Rocky Mountain fescue, and green needle grass.

What do you hope it contributes to the community?

We hope the community can learn about the value of native plants, pollinators, and how wetlands help reduce flooding/water quality issues. The Highlands Wetland also provide aesthetic value, providing a place see wildflowers bloom and a place to watch birds.  

Why do you think gardens are important?

Native (or Natural?) gardens are important for providing pollinator and wildlife habitat, aesthetic and educational value, and connecting people with nature and each other. A plant is considered native if it has occurred naturally in the area without human introduction. Native plants thrive in our local environment because they have adapted to our conditions and have formed a symbiotic relationship with native wildlife over thousands of years so they provide excellent habitat.

What month and what time of the day do you think the garden looks best?

June and July, anytime of day!

What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

Watching bees on the blooming wildflowers.

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the volunteers who have worked in Devon’s North Entrance Bed.

1. Phil and Marilyn Blanchette, how did you get involved with the Town’s north entrance bed?

We were involved from the start with the volunteers who saw a need to develop a beautiful focal point for town residents.  We started out helping with the planning, planting, pruning and maintenance of Centennial Park.  When the need arose for the north flowerbed at the town entrance to be tended, we took over its seasonal planting and care.

2. Who else volunteers at the garden? 

Other volunteers of the Bloom 2000 group have assisted with spring planting but we are mostly responsible for the routine care of the bed.

3. How much time do you spend volunteering at the garden? 

We are usually at the garden about two hours a week.

4. What are the challenges?

The first decision we need to make every year is what kind of annual flowers to choose.  The strong winds that blow on the bed require plants that can grow in less-than-ideal conditions.  When we first took over the bed, watering was a major concern as no water is piped to that location.  The Extra Foods grocery store (now Independent Grocer) kindly supported us by giving us access to water.  As time passed, Town of Devon staff took over the watering and fertilizing of the bed’s plants.

5. What are some of your favourite plants?

We have used dusty miller, marguerite geraniums, large marigolds, alyssum and wave petunias in the bed as well as dracaena as a backdrop, and potato ivy and nasturtiums to spill over the bricks.

6. What do you hope the garden contributes to the community?

We hope it is attractive and eye-catching to all who pass by on busy Highway 60. We hope it serves as an inviting entrance that captures people’s interest and encourages them to explore our community.

7. Why do you think gardens are important?

They bring our focus back to the beauty nature provides and let us witness the unfolding of the miracles of the world around us.  They also provide a very important source of food for pollinators which are necessary for our food supplies.  

8. What month and what time of the day do you think the garden looks best?

It is in its prime about the middle of July to the end of August.  It is lovely at any time of day, especially in full sunlight.

9. What is your favourite chore at the garden?

Just ordinary care like hoeing and deadheading—and admiring it!

10. What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

When all the plants have developed to the height of their growth and beauty, we are proud to be part of Bloom 2000 team!

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the volunteers who have worked in Devon’s Community Garden.

How did the community garden get started?

Karl Goerz, founding president, and Samantha Goerz, former treasurer, contributed greatly to getting the garden off the ground. Karl came up with the idea of starting a community garden in 2015.  The idea sparked the interest of other residents willing to participate which led to the Devon Community Garden Society being established in the spring of 2016.  In collaboration with the Town of Devon, a site was selected, sod was removed and plots were established.

The garden opened up to the public in the spring of 2017 and all 21 garden rental plots were filled within a couple of days. In 2020, the Town of Devon installed an additional 32 garden plots.  Additionally, four waist-high raised gardens were installed last fall that will be used by elderly gardeners this year. 

Who volunteers at the garden?

It takes a village to run the community garden.  All gardeners volunteer their time whether they weed the paths and communal gardens, cut the grass, or tidy the shed.

There are currently 10 board members that provide a variety of volunteer services in addition to attending regular meetings.  They oversee the compost, machinery, water tanks, pest control and the health of the communal plants.  There are also tasks attending to the financial operations and documentation. 

How much time do the volunteers put into the operations of the garden?

It is difficult to say how many hours are spent in total.  One of the board members says that when you do what you love, it is hard to keep track of your time.  She notes that the board members are at the garden almost on a daily basis both tending to their own plots and keeping tabs on what is going on with other gardeners.   

2021 was an interesting year because the garden became more of a social gathering place than ever before. Fellow gardeners spent more time chatting with each other as they watered their gardens.

What are the challenges?

The biggest challenge, bar none, is the water supply. The water needs to be delivered and delivery costs the same whether an empty tank or a partially full tank is filled. Therefore, water management is the trickiest part of managing the garden especially during dry years as was the case last year.

What are some of the favourite or outstanding plants?

Carrots do very well at the garden. It is hard to name all the outstanding plants because if you look at all the gardens, you will find that each one has plants that do better than others. Everyone has their specialties! The plants that do the best are ones that do not require continuous watering because everything is watered with watering cans! 

What do you hope it contributes to the community?

It provides an opportunity for residents to have a garden along with a sense of community.  It also helps to develop a more intimate relationship with our food by growing it.

Why do you think gardens are important?

Gardens are very important because it grounds us. There is something magical about growing your own food. The taste is amazing and the nutrients outweigh plants grown commercially and shipped from afar. It also gets us to spend time outside and slow things down in this fast-paced world.

What month and what time of the day do you think the garden looks best?

The garden likely looks the best in August when everything is so luscious. The sunflowers are tall, the squashes are established, and all the plants are just so big and green. We especially enjoy them in the early evening when things have cooled down a bit and the plants’ colour looks a darker green.

What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

One gardener examines her plants very closely. She takes a lot of time to savour every moment by learning about the state of her plants, learning about how to improve their health and just fully appreciating them. 

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the volunteers who have worked in Devon's South Entrance Bed.

1. How did Communities in Bloom get involved with the garden at Devon’s pumpjack sign located where Highway 60 enters Devon from the south?

In 2019, Devon Communities in Bloom collaborated with the Girl Guides to plant daffodils and other spring bulbs in a section of the bed. At a Communities in Bloom meeting in the spring of 2021, the committee agreed that the bed was still looking a little drab and needed some love to dress it up. 

One of the committee members, Bob Scheele, volunteered to lead this project. He started with research and came up with a couple of designs. With feedback from committee members, Bob proceeded with the design that incorporated a few low creeping junipers at the front and mass plantings of the long blooming yellow Goldstar Potentilla and the nicely contrasting red Ruby Carousel Barberry. These shrubs are noted for being deer, heat, and drought resistant. Plus, they are low growing so as not to hide the “Devon” letters on the sign. 

The shrubs were purchased at the Local Nursery and compost was generously donated by Annelida Organics. After Devon Communities in Bloom committee members and other volunteers participated in a planting day and started a watering plan with support from the Town, an attractive new outfit for the south entrance bed started to take shape. At a later date, volunteers spread new woodchip mulch over the bed to help with moisture retention and weed suppression.

2. How much time did volunteers spend at the garden?

It is estimated that volunteers worked 60 hours on the south entrance bed in 2021.

3. What are the challenges?

The south entrance bed is on a slant and faces southwest, with no trees between it and the prevailing winds from the west. It will, therefore, experience dry conditions and extreme temperatures and wind.

4. What is planned for the garden in the future?

The Devon Communities in Bloom committee has promised the Town that it will provide ongoing maintenance to the south entrance bed. This activity will be added to the committee’s yearly calendar.

5. What do you hope the garden contributes to the community?

With proper care and watering, we hope the shrub planting will provide a long-lasting and easy-to-maintain beautification that the community and all those passing through town will notice.  The mass planting of bright yellow and deep red should fill in to provide a nice visual effect for motorists entering Devon for years to come. 

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the many volunteers who tend to the gardens and green spaces in Powerline Park.

In a previous article, we focused on the Nordic Bed garden located in Centennial Park which is tended by the Nordic Ski Club volunteers.  There are several other flowerbeds in Centennial Park which are looked after by Bloom 2000 volunteers who are the focus of this article.

How did this garden project begin?

In the late 1990s, following discussions with the Town, a plan was devised to develop Centennial Park from a flat grassy area to a park for the community’s enjoyment.  In conjunction with an instructor at NAIT, students studying landscaping drew up a few design plans and the local group selected one.  With support from the Town, grants were applied for and received. The renovation of the park was completed in 2000.

Over the years, there has been a gradual turnover of gardeners.  There are four remaining from the first group.  Newer gardeners were recruited from personal contacts and from the occasional self-appointed volunteer who enjoys gardening.

The Town of Devon provide funds annually to purchase the annual plants for the beds.  These are used to complement the flowering perennials in the beds.

How many volunteer gardeners are there?

In 2021, there were about 20 individuals who volunteered at the Centennial Park gardens that the Bloom 2000 group looks after. Some of these volunteers come for specific purposes (for example, planting) whereas others volunteer for the season (May-September) to keep the beds watered, pruned, and weeded.  As well, when time permits, the shrub beds are also cleaned up.  

How much time do the volunteers spend at the garden?

During 2021, the Bloom 2000 volunteers spent approximately 400 hours working in the gardens.  

During the spring, there are a few hours of clean up, a few hours for soil preparation and a day of planting.  During the rest of the season, volunteers contribute an hour or two weekly.  During the fall, there is a few hours of cleanup with assistance from the Town to winterize the irrigation.

What are the challenges?

Some of the challenges are the weather, the declining number of volunteers, and occasionally some members of the public do some damage to the plants. 

What are some of the favourite or outstanding plants?

Always, the petunias, hostas and shrubs that we have planted, and the vegetable vines that were used last year to fill space.

What do you hope it contributes to the community?

It is hoped that it the gardens contribute to the enjoyment of those who visit the park, picnic there or sit on the lawns while their children play in the spray park.  It is a beautiful place for community members and visitors to enjoy at no cost.

Why do you think the gardens are important?

Gardening connects an individual to nature, can be a stress reliever, and is environmentally beneficial.  The gardens in Centennial Park really add to the beauty of our community.

What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

We enjoy the evolution of the gardens and their changing appearance over the course of the season.  Also, the laughter and joyful sounds of children playing.

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the many volunteers who tend to the gardens and green spaces in Powerline Park.

1. How did volunteers get involved in Powerline Park?

In 2015, the Devon Nature Club approached the Town’s Parks department, offering to remove weeds and grass from the beds in Powerline Park in hopes of stopping the plan to cut down the shrub beds. The Devon Nature Club was keen to save the shrub beds because of the many native and non-native small fruit bushes growing in them, and because of the many species of birds that nest in the bushes and feed on berries and insects. With the support of the Parks staff and other members of the community, Nature Club volunteers worked on controlling the grass and weeds such as quack grass and Canada thistle for two years. In 2017, the Town provided many loads of mulch for volunteers to spread over the beds.

During the summers of 2020 and 2021, volunteers with Devon Communities in Bloom (CiB) held several work bees in Powerline Park to clean up the beds. Early in the summer of 2021, this small group of volunteers started work on the biggest of the eight beds. They naively thought they would work on that bed for a couple of evenings and then move on. As it turned out, it took them six work sessions to prune and weed that one bed. The CiB volunteers were joined by other members of the community for several of the work sessions and received support from the Town’s Park staff who picked up the piles of branches and bags of weeds after the work bees.

2. How much time did volunteers spend in Powerline Park over the last two years?

Volunteers worked an estimated 90 hours in Powerline Park. They go out for short periods of time in nice weather to keep the work enjoyable.

3. What are some of the favourite or outstanding plants in Powerline Park’s shrub beds?

After spending several hours trimming and removing overgrown plants such as lilac bushes, roses and willows, the volunteers have gained appreciation for plants that are not aggressive growers such as potentilla and mountain ash. 

4. What are the challenges? 

There are several beds in Powerline Park that remain overgrown and weedy. The Devon CiB committee is looking for assistance with this project as getting all the beds in the Park cleaned up and then maintained on a regular basis is more than a small group of volunteers can manage.

5. What is planned for Powerline Park in the future? 

With support from the Town’s Parks department, Devon Communities in Bloom volunteers hope to spread chips over the surface of the big bed in the spring of 2022 to reduce weed growth and give it a tidier appearance. In the longer term, they are hoping that other organizations, families and groups will come forward to adopt one of the eight beds and maintain it.

6. What do volunteers hope Powerline Park contributes to the community?

They hope that residents living in homes overlooking Powerline Park and people travelling on that part of Devon’s trail system experience an attractive view and pathway. They hope the Park will add to Devon’s overall beauty and tidy appearance and provide another green space where residents can enjoy being outdoors.

7. What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

Hearing people comment on how much better the Park is looking. Seeing children play in the cleaned-up beds. Meeting residents who take the initiative to help clean up the Park. Finding bird nests in the bushes. 

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

In celebration of the Year of the Garden 2022, we are recognizing the many volunteers who tend to the various gardens and green spaces in Lions Park.

 When did work on the gardens and green spaces at Lions Park begin? 

It has been happening since the Devon Lions Club first opened the area as a picnic site in 1960.  We consider the entire park as the gem, not just the areas that are set aside as gardens. The staff do the mowing, leaf blowing and gathering of debris while the Lions volunteers work hard to keep the gardens and green spaces healthy and attractive. 

What recent changes have been made to the gardens and green spaces in Lions Park? 

There are ornamental plantings near the main gate and park office which have been expanded and are maintained by the club.

Sixty new trees were planted in the park during 2021 alone.

Our latest garden and a notable feature of our campground is the Lions Commemorative Garden.  Construction on the Commemorative Garden was started in 2017 with the placing of the lion 'Thor' and the building of the dirt mound.  

Who specifically volunteers to do the work in the green spaces and gardens?

It is suspected that every Lion, current or former, has contributed time to the park in some way over the years, be it building and maintaining infrastructure, removing dead and dying trees, hauling rocks or mulch, planting and watering trees, pulling noxious weeds or countless other tasks. Lions work parties are held in the campground over the summer to get projects completed.  Gardening is one of the many tasks and the volunteers who get tagged to do the work changes over time.  There are numerous seasonal campers who help out and have garden pots & plots near their sites which add beauty to the campground.

How much time do the volunteers spend volunteering at the park?

In 2021, Lions and friends spent well over 2,000 hours maintaining and enhancing the park.  Out of those hours, about 300 were spent planting, watering or weeding.

What are the challenges?

Noxious weeds.  The pocket gophers that have moved into the Commemorative Garden mound.  Campers who don't stay on the walking path/trails.  The pocket gophers don't help this as they eat the plants and pile dirt on the walking path/trails making it much less obvious where the trails are.

What are some of the favourite or outstanding plants?

Low maintenance perennials and shrubs.  There are some beautiful Potentillas on the commemorative garden mound.

What do you hope Lions Park contributes to the community?

During any of the four seasons the park is a beautiful setting to camp, picnic, hike or visit.

What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

When children are climbing on Thor or playing in the playgrounds.

Celebrating the Year of the Garden – 2022

The national Communities in Bloom organization and the Canadian Garden Council have declared 2022 as “The Year of the Garden”. In support of this initiative, Devon Communities in Bloom is focusing our program Community Spirit Lives Here! on people who volunteer in Devon’s public gardens. These volunteers will be recognized from January to March in the Devon Dispatch and on our website.

Volunteers for the Nordic Bed, Centennial Park

1. How did volunteers get involved in taking care of the Nordic Bed in Centennial Park?

The Devon Nordic Ski Club’s involvement in Centennial Park started at a ski club meeting about 30 years ago. There was a discussion as to how the club could raise its awareness in the community and at the same time make a positive contribution. Peggy suggested that the club adopt a flower bed; a motion to do so was made and passed. The Town was approached and in response, assigned the central bed in Centennial Park to the ski club. The members got busy and started cultivating and planting. Since that time the ski club has paid for and planted trees, shrubs and flowers as well as tending to the bed Monday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 in the late spring, summer and early fall. 

Reg Baxter and Pat Nichols created a wood sign with a skier and the words “Adopted by the Nordic Ski Club.”  Pat has maintained the sign over the years so it still looks great when displayed in the bed each summer. 

There are many additional ski club members and other Devon residents who have worked in the Nordic Bed over the years and we hope there will be others in the future who will carry on this tradition of community service. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the ski club at DNSC.Devon.ab@gmail.com.

2. How much time do volunteers give to the Nordic Bed?

Each of the regular volunteers gives 20-30 hours over the summer starting with the first soil preparation and ending with the fall clean-up and tree pruning, adding up to an average of 120 to 180 volunteer hours per year.

3. What are some of the volunteers’ favourite plants?

The bright red and pink zinnias, all the perennial lilies, the yellow lilies splashed with red color, and the deep blue delphiniums.

4. Why are the Nordic Bed and other public gardens important?

Public gardens show the pride that a municipality and its residents have in their community. They provide attractive green spaces and amenities, such as the water park, that add to residents’ quality of life. Public gardens are great venues for outdoor events such as summer music concerts and Canada Day celebrations. They are also a great place for volunteers to find peace and satisfaction.

5. What are the volunteers’ favourite chores at the garden?

For some volunteers, it is deadheading—cutting off dying blossoms gives the bed a fresher and healthier appearance. For other volunteers, it is the last soil preparation before planting the bed, as good soil = good plants. Others take enjoyment in pulling weeds, especially when the soil is so soft that the whole plant with its roots comes out.

6. What are the “magical moments” at the garden?

Magical moments include showing our grandchildren the colors of the garden when we visit the park. We also enjoy observing residents showing respect and appreciation for the Nordic Bed.

One magical moment in the Nordic Bed and Centennial Park was captured by Devon resident, Cyndie Sekora, in the photo below.