Rakes, shovels, power tools and muscles – all these were on hand Wednesday, July 22, 2015, when we began our version of Earth Day…
Over the past few years, our property at Jeanne Jugan Residence in Pawtucket underwent a transformation. Two apartment residents, Elaine Mello and Marcella Hart, with their interest, expertise, sweat, and the help of staff and others, refurbished the many little “shrines” on our property with beautiful flower gardens that brightened all the nooks and crannies of our “campus”.
At the beginning of July, all was ready for the Feast Day of Mother Provincial, Margaret Regina, at the end of July except for the “backyard”. Our experts recommended that the many years of overgrown vegetation needed to be removed and the land prepared for a more dynamic purpose. To accomplish this, “Earth Day” was proclaimed and the date set for this project.
Early on the day of reckoning, many staff members, residents, and volunteers reported for duty under the watchful eyes of the experts. Rakes scraped the ground, power tools were put into action and muscles pulled and tucked at various branches and roots, until the land was cleared and rubbish hauled away to the dumpster. Later, mulch would be scattered in the areas to enrich the soil and to prepare it for future use.
And so Earth Day came to an end. Workers discovered muscles they did not know they had, but after a good night’s sleep (and a little Ben Gay), they were ready to begin a new day on Thursday!
Thus ended the first Earth Day in our home.
Earth Day in Pawtucket