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HOME & GARDEN
Sasquatch Crashes Rotary Garden Tour
BY MARINA SACHT
The Briggs will be opening their gates along with seven other gardeners as part of the 25th annual Ladysmith Rotary Tour, happening on Sunday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We have eight fabulous gardens on tour this year in Ladysmith, Cedar and Yellow Point,” said Rotarian Gerry Beltgens. The event is being sponsored by the Ladysmith & District Credit Union again this year.
Wayne and Janice Briggs retired in 2000. The couple moved here from Winnipeg. But Janice calls it more a journey than a move due to the lengthy process of building their home in the south end of Ladysmith.
They bought the lot in 2000, but it took two years to get a permit to build. Then there were delays with COVID. They finally completed their home and, two years ago, began landscaping their yard.
They started with the two side yards and then the backyard. And when they were through landscaping, Wayne made boxwood topiaries — five dolphins and a seahorse.
“These all turn solid blue with flowers,” said Wayne, pointing to the “stream” that the dolphins are “riding.”
You would not know it, but gardening is a new venture for the couple. “It’s something we took up later in retirement. We still feel like novices.” Janice laughed.
While the topiary is impressive, it pales in comparison to the ten-foot sasquatch watching over Colonia Road. At night, Stanley’s eyes glow red. So what inspired Wayne to build a sasquatch?
“Where else would a sasquatch want to be?” he asked. “This must be prime sasquatch territory,” he said, pointing to the trees and mountains. Janice agrees.
Taking a closer look at the handsome beast, you will notice large footprints leading up to Stanley. A set of smaller ones run off into the bush. Perhaps there will be another smaller sasquatch joining Stanley, one wonders.
Stanley the Sasquatch has a handsome face and soulful eyes, and very impressive glutes — no doubt from all the hills in Ladysmith.
The lot next door is covered with Scotch broom — the material that Wayne used to weave through the metal frame he welded. “I wanted something brown, and the Scotch broom, after you cut it, turns brown like fur.” That’s the colour of a Sasquatch, and when Stanley’s fur needs replacing, an abundance of broom is available right next door.
It took Wayne six weeks to make Stanley. His face and hands are made of clay, and his eyes are made of blown glass from Germany. Stanley made his debut last Halloween to the delight of most neighbours, though some were surprised that he’s here to stay.
You won’t want to miss Stanley or the other surprises awaiting you at the Rotary Garden Tour this year. Tickets are $25 in advance at local stores or online at www.rotary-club-of-ladysmith.tickit.ca, or $30 on the day of the event in the upper parking lot of Country Grocer, Ladysmith, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
