James Card:

Photography: Bill Peterson

EditorWhat a YearA Note from Jim Card2017 and by late January the vision started taking
The holidays were busy with activities and family

shape. It was finally completed mid-summer. Thefunctions. But the garden was also busy withexisting projects did not stop when the Plaza

projects and volunteers. Looking back over thestarted. Particularly the Garden maintenance that ispast year, December seemed to match theneeded to provide a peaceful and beautiful

business.

atmosphere for the community. As you know some

Nothing would get done without the volunteers.
We do this for the community and that is what

do not respect the effort. This is a constant effort
and volunteers are so very much appreciated.

volunteers are, the community. A calculation ofI hope that 2019 will be as exciting as 2018. It could

hours and projects is done each month and filed

not have been better for me personally. Because ofwith the city. Approximately 500 hours has been

the Garden I have had the pleasure of meeting newclocked for December.

people, working on projects, joining organizations,

We are now well over 25,000 volunteer hours since
July of 2011. That is an average of over 3500 hours
per year for a little garden in the middle of Main
City Park. That is why we appreciate theworking with the Kaz Kids, writing two grants forfunding, planting new trees, learning from others,
teaching and working with some of the best people I
have ever met.
Now I ask, “what can the Garden do for you today?”volunteers so much.
Looking back over the year of projects is amazing.
The planning of the plaza started in December

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 EDITIONPage 1

Ambleside Annex
PLANT SALE
It is hard to remember what the Plaza looked like a year ago. Newadditions to the Plaza are the stone planters circling each of the Cherrytrees in the patch of grass. That patch of grass has been name “AmblesideAnnex”. Last year garden volunteers removed plant material from ahousing site off Hogan Road at Ambleside and transferred them to Main
City Park. Some of those plants will be placed in this area, thus the name“Ambleside Annex”. The largest of the lace leaf maples will be replanted
to the north of the annex in an existing bed with plenty of drainage. This
spot also is ideal for viewing the maple from all sides, especially whensitting on one of the benches at the Plaza. The replanting will take placein January.
Once the trees are planted in the Annex there will be room for picnic
tables, and 2 more benches. Flowers will be placed in the planters aroundthe Cherry trees. An Information Board will be built from materials
salvaged from the shelter that was along the Springwater trail. And lastly
a lawn made from artificial turf will be inserted. The product is very
realistic and maintenance free.
All the material for this project, except the plants are provided by theGresham Parks Department.

A huge thank you goes to the Parks

department for all the assistance and support they have provided.

Annex

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018 EDITION

Plans are being made for aplant sale in June 2019 thatwill benefit the "student
exchange program" of theGresham-Ebetsu Sister CityAssociation. Plants include
conifers, deciduous trees,bonsai and some floral.
Some students receive
scholarships in order totravel to Japan and use theirJapanese language skills
and experience the culture.
There will be a lot to do toprepare for this event. If you
can assist in any way,pleasecontactAlison
Huntting
atmandysmom1946@yahoo.
com for more details.

Page 2Gresham-Ebetsu Sister City AssociationPresidents ReportDecember 2018

A Grant Application
The garden has applied for a grant
offered through the City of Gresham.

In late November, Robert Higgins visited Gresham with some Junior

It is designated to the building thatHigh school exchange students. Robert is from Gresham and lives insome refer to as the “Shoe Box” or theEbetsu with his wife and children. He is responsible for international

Resource Center. This building is arelations for the city and has been with our delegation and the Ebetsu

double wide trailer first installed indelegation to Gresham as an interpreter.

the mid-1980's. It has remained muchthe same inside ever since. The inside
is kept clean by those young folks

I am pleased to see an increase in communications with Ebetsu, Japan.
Robert and I met to discuss the sister city agenda for the next few years.
From my point of view, the relationship has been regenerated between

dressed in yellow called the KAZ

our cities especially since our 40th anniversary celebrations. I canKIDS. The plan is to remodel andupdate the interior so that it becomes
more of a teaching/learning

attribute some of this improvement to the year 2015 when the bridge
project was completed. Gresham had a ribbon cutting ceremony withthe delegation here from Ebetsu. The communications and hospitality

environment. This lends itself toshown by Ron and Yoshiko Ture provided nutrition to the seed thatproviding an appropriate area forworkshops, classes and other types ofhad been planted a long time ago.

presentations to students and theI am told that the presentation of Ebetsu Plaza may have been thecommunity in general.

beginning of yet another step forward in the bonding of our future. ItAlong with that phase, an additional
nursery area will be added that will beequipped with heated planting beds,
climate controls and potting areas.

seems to have increased the visibility of our commitment to thecontinuance of this relationship. The garden and the plaza have been
designated as priority visitation spots by each Ebetsu student and adultdelegation that come to visit Gresham.

The purpose of this is to offer

Gresham will provide the exchange students going to Ebetsu with gifts

horticultural and floricultural trainingthat relate to Ebetsu Plaza; such as engraved ornaments, and gift bags.

to the community and the special

Robert will receive a special bound keepsake book showing theeducation students in the Gresham

construction and completion of the Ebetsu Plaza along with T-shirts toarea. With the training, the students

be presented to the delegates from Ebetsu.

can have an opportunity to learn
about tasks and responsibilities in theJohn Clark has also had conversations with Robert presenting thenursery industry. They may be able to“Touchstone” paver sales in Ebetsu.

apply for and work in the business. InPlease join this effort by providing ideas of how we may advance ourtime we hope to graduate efforts topresence to Ebetsu.

include not only the training but also
shadowing and on the job training atpotential businesses. We are working
with the Gresham-Barlow School

Jim Card,President, GESCA
Director, Gresham
Japanese Garden

District in hope to move this program
forward. Further interest andquestions can be directed to thegarden website or contactgresham.japanese.garden.com

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