What makes for the perfect gift to celebrate a 100th birthday? For such a milestone, the team at The Glebe in Daleville decided the best view on campus seemed fitting. On September 8, to commemorate her centennial birthday, The Glebe dedicated Blake Hill to longtime resident Evelyn Blake.
Evelyn moved to The Glebe in 2006 and, in her 14 years in the community, she has planted thousands of flowers, garnering the title of the honorary gardener. It became a personal mission to renovate the stretch of land that now carries her name and make it a beautiful garden and overlook. Over the years, she had many team members and residents support her project with donations and physical labor.
At her birthday celebration and garden dedication, team members and fellow residents spoke about Evelyn’s contributions to the community and all in attendance joined together in singing her “Happy Birthday.”
“Evelyn is the only person I know who even loves to receive dead flowers,” said resident Carole Edwards. “So many people here at The Glebe are inspirational, but Evelyn leads the list.”
In thanking Evelyn for her time beautifying the community, resident Don McKinney said of the space, “A garden is a place to have communion and fellowship with God. A garden is a place to find ourselves when we feeling lost. A garden is medicine for the soul.”
Resident Robert Copenhaver played the bagpipes at the bottom of the Blake Hill while guests approached and Evelyn cut the ribbon. He and his wife, Mimi, contributed funds for the pergolas in the garden. A plaque in honor of Evelyn from the Copenhavers is mounted on the first pergola.
