Veterans Memorial Library receives inheritance, garden makeover

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Veterans Memorial Library revealed a garden face-lift from the Mount Pleasant Garden Club to honor Dr. Louise A. Williams, a former Central Michigan University professor.

The Mount Pleasant Garden Club created a garden on the south side of the library entrance after receiving a $56,913 inheritance from Williams, said Julia Grantsynn, garden club president.

“We have created the Louise Williams garden to help fulfill her request to beautify Mount Pleasant,” Grantsynn said.

Tom Delia, library board president, Lynn Laskowsky, library facilities chair and Grantsynn cut the ribbon Wednesday morning to officially open the garden to the public.

“Creating an inviting entrance to the library is important,” said Library Director Lise Mitchell. “It welcomes visitors to the library and sets a certain tone that we take pride in our library.”

The library, home to 200,000 visitors a year, received many positive comments about the garden makeover, she said. The garden club’s work is yet another example of how the community supports the library every day, she said.

She said the garden club was responsible for the landscaping around the building for as long as anyone can remember.

“They always work collaboratively with the library staff and board with the aim of landscaping that will be attractive and low maintenance,” Mitchell said.

Grantsynn said the Louise Williams Garden has been an ongoing project which began in 2009.

“We have spent about $25,000 on the garden so far with about $10,000 more to spend,” she said. “It used to be a bunch of weeds, but we added lights, security, benches and flowers.”

The Mount Pleasant Garden Club, established in 1966, has 25 active members who participate in projects beautifying the Mount Pleasant community.

Member Mary Ellen Wynes said they are looking to making the garden into a monarch butterfly way station and add more lights in the future.

“Creating the garden has been a wonderful learning experience for all of the club members,” she said. “We are so appreciative of Louise’s generosity, and we hope that this project is a worthy tribute to her.”