Canal Winchester Messenger - June 12th, 2022

PAGE 4 - CANAL WINCHESTER MESSENGER - June 12, 2022
www.columbusmessenger.com
A fairy wonderland at Wagnalls
See Page 7 for
Canal Winchester
Graduates
Class of 2022
By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Look closely when visiting the gardens of Wagnalls
Memorial Library in Lithopolis and you may get a peek
of fairies visiting one another or see where the fairies
reside after their day-to-day flower sojourns.
Just be cautious of the resident tyrannosaurus rex
that has a penchant for gnomes living alongside the
fairies in the Walker-Hecox-Hickle Gardens.
Inspired by Master Gardener creations added to the
beds around the site, Wagnalls Memorial Library Director
Tami Morehart said grant money was spent in 2021
to purchase fairy garden pieces, which teenage gardeners
used to produce their own creations in the garden.
“In May 2022 we added the large fairy house under
the pine trees for small children to play in,” said Morehart.
“This and other pieces we are adding are part of a
memorial to Ruth Jones who was a lover of the outdoors
and reading. The fairies are located throughout the
main garden area. As you walk along the pathways,
you will find them tucked in amongst the flowers.
Watch out for the T-Rex, he tends to carry off gnomes
from their homes.”
Master Gardener Nell LaRock is the library’s resident
fairy garden expert and wrote, “The Animal Library
and Blue (a fairy comes to the Wagnalls
Gardens).” She said a fairy garden is a little spot which
has a fairy or is suspected of fairy activity.
“If you think nobody takes fairies seriously, check out
the lawsuits in the British courts about fairies,” said
LaRock, who noted one lawsuit involving a famous author–Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle and the Cattingly
Fairies. “Sir Arthur believed two little girls who saw
fairies. In Iceland, a major highway has a divide in it to
allow a fairy mound and bush to stay in place.”
Morehart wanted to make the garden a space where
families could enjoy walking through, see the plants,
and learn their names, as well as have fun finding the
fairies. Each year, more fairies and gnomes are added
throughout, which she said is a complement to the little
fairy villages.
“We started out around the birdhouse three years
ago,” said LaRock, “and it has started moving its way
around the garden. Now, more and more gardeners in
our group come in with their own pieces. The most important
impact of the garden has been the personal connections
we’ve made with the community. One of my
favorite sights was one of Wagnalls’ maintenance staff
walking a state inspector around. Both men were laughing
and pointing at the fairy installations.”
OSU Fairfield Master Gardeners maintain the gardens
and each volunteer–who is responsible for their
own area–is under the leadership of Pam Jarvis.
Plants and features are added as the seasons change
and while the garden is permanent, the fairies are only
out from May through September. Programs are held in
the gardens as well.
“We have an Art Festival in June, and our Summer
Township Police statistics
May crime statistics from the Madison Township Police:
8 accidents with injuries, 11 animal complaints, 5
assaults, 71 patrol security checks at Brobst Park, 2 burglary,
1 dog bite, 31 domestic complaints, 3 DUI/OVI, 3
fights, 2 fireworks complaints, 13 hit skip accidents, 21
juvenile complaints, 25 larceny/theft, 3 missing persons,
22 parking violations, 1 person with gun, 16 property
damage accidents, 3 sex offenses, 8 shots fired in area,
3 suicide/suicide threat, 7 suspicious cars, 24 suspicious
persons, 27 suspicious persons/vehicles, 8 threats or harassment,
123 traffic stops, 7 vandalism.
Messenger photo by Linda Dillman
Nanny Hannah Anderson and two-year-old Micah
McCullough enjoy visiting the whimsical fairy
homes on the grounds of Wagnalls Memorial.
Reading Program during June/July. We hope to do some
outdoor concerts in the future,” said Morehart. “In the
fall, we have story walks through the gardens. We also
are part of the Lithopolis Honeyfest. We talk about pollinators
in the gardens and how they are so important.
We hope to do a Halloween theme this year.”
Morehart said patrons come in everyday telling staff
how beautiful the gardens are and enjoy returning
weekly to see the changes in the garden as well as what
new fairies are added.
“One patron said it just makes her smile,” said Morehart.
“It brings back fond memories of childhood. Our
gardens are multi-generational, too. There is something
for everyone to enjoy.
A trip to Wagnalls is an outing.
“Get your books, movies, and then take a stroll in the
gardens, bring your lunch, and have a picnic,” said
Morehart. “The best part is that everything is free. You
can come inside and see more fairies. Even on a rainy
day there is something fun to see and do.”
Wagnalls Memorial is located at 150 E. Columbus St.
in Lithopolis. For information visit wagnallsfoundation.org
or call 624-837-4765. The library is closed on
Friday and Sunday, but the gardens are always open to
the public.
CW City Council meetings
Canal Winchester City Council meetings are held on
the first and third Monday of every month. Meetings
begin at 7 p.m. The meetings are open to the public.
CW school board meetings
The Canal Winchester Board of Education meets on
the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Canal
Winchester Education Center, 100 Washington St. on
the second floor in room 204/206. The public is welcome
to attend.