By Haley Mitchell Godwin

In an effort to enhance the healing environment at the Crenshaw Community Hospital (CCH), the Luverne Garden Club has undertaken the task of revitalizing the hospital’s courtyard, transforming it into a serene oasis for patients, families and staff alike.

Dale Shepherd, a Luverne Garden Club member and master gardener, spearheaded the project, envisioning a garden-like retreat within the hospital’s grounds.

Established in 2008, the courtyard garden holds a special place in Shepherd’s heart. At the time, Shepherd worked at the hospital as a nurse anesthetist and recognized the value of a well-maintained garden for patients and their families to visit during their hospital stays.

“It is a great area and has been used by so many families and by employees here at the hospital,” Shepherd said. “There are four patient rooms that look out over the courtyard and it is nice that they can look out and get their mind off things. There are benches and we are adding another table and chairs. It is a great place to just think or take a break from whatever one is facing, regardless of their reason for being at the hospital.”

Over the years, the Luverne Garden Club dutifully maintained the courtyard. However, as the club’s membership aged, the task of tending to the garden became increasingly challenging.

In recent weeks, the Luverne Garden Club has been hard at work, meticulously pruning, and trimming back the overgrown foliage, and adding fresh pine straw throughout the area. Their dedication and hard work have already made a noticeable difference, with the courtyard quickly returning to its former glory as a place of serenity and beauty.Moving forward, the courtyard will be maintained by hospital staff.

The hospital representatives expressed their gratitude on social media.
“A huge thank you to the Luverne Garden Club for helping us clean up our courtyard,” the post read. “These ladies were wonderful and worked hard to make it a nice place for families to use while here with their loved ones. Members that helped us were Dale Shepard, Suzette Helms, Jane Stroud, Pam Speed, Judy Russell, Paulette West, Edith Worthington, Beth Brown, and Cheryl Bagents. Great Job Ladies.”