Memory Garden

MARY OBERTO, volunteer coordinator for Regional Hospice, waters the organization's Memory Garden at Ironwood's Longyear Park Thursday morning. The 72 pink landscape petunias were planted late last week as part of a fundraiser for the care group. She said they'll spread out and fill the octagon-shaped flower bed around the flag with color. Each plant was planted in memory or honor of someone touched by Regional Hospice. Oberto said she has been involved with the project for 14 years and knows there were such gardens before that, but there are no records of when the tradition began. The garden is next to the park's band shell, where the Gogebic Range Concert Band will offer a concert on June 19 at 6:30 p.m. as part of a Regional Hospice program.