Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 06/99) - When the NWT Seniors Society received a pamphlet in the mail from the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF), an idea arose that they thought would help turn an eyesore into something a little more visually appealing.

For years, the entranceway to Lakeview Cemetery was marked only by a small and indiscernible sign for visitors to find their way to the burial site.

This spring, the city put up a much larger and more visible sign. The only problem, however, was that the sign by itself, according to society organizer Barb Bromley, seemed rather stark against the drab landscape around it.

"We received pamphlets from the Canadian Wildlife Federation," said Bromley.

"It was a gardening program for seniors."

The pamphlet the NWT Seniors Society received last spring, informed them that they may be eligible for a $500 grant from the CWF -- as part of the Golden Gardens Project -- to beautify an urban area in their community.

It seemed like the perfect opportunity to spruce up the entrance to the cemetery.

"We asked the city if we could put a garden in there and they thought that it would be a good idea," Bromley said.

"We thought that if we could do that, then we could be part of the Golden Gardens Project."

Requirements for the project included involving youth, raising funding to match the $500 grant and a visual followup with before and after photos.

The City did their part by building a garden bed around the sign.

"We got in touch with a youth group through Storefront and we bought a bird bath and put a bench right beside the garden," Bromley said. "The youths helped us plant and tend it.

The society got their grant, and instead of a bare- looking entrance to the cemetery, there is now a garden and a place for birds to drink and people to sit when they visit.

For Crystal Gaudry, manager of volunteers for social services, the Golden Gardens Project held a great deal of meaning for forging relationships between youths and seniors.

"We are participating in this project because it is International Year of the Older Persons and we wanted to bring the youths and seniors together," Gaudry said.

"I think youths and seniors have a lot to learn from each other."

As for the way the garden looks now, Gaudry is pleased.

"I think it's looking great," Gaudry said. "It's so nice that it's not a dreary looking place anymore.

"I think they should be a candidate for a community improvement award."