Gilroy ’ s Own “ Islands of Beauty ”
S ome people take on big projects : Al Gore , Global Worming ; Condoleezza Rice , Peace in the Middle East ; Charlie Wilson , Communism ; Mayor Al Pinheiro , Downtown Gilroy ; and Maria Scocylas , the Homeless of Gilroy . Others approach causes on a much smaller scale and / or closer to home . Brenda Cherani and Betty Lepper have carved out a small garden that they have named “ Islands of Beauty .”
Traveling west on Sixth at Eigleberry , you will notice a small triangular garden on the corner . A closer inspection reveals a flowering garden with a few rocks strategically positioned . A large rock in the center of the garden hosts a simple plaque “ Islands of Beauty .”
Some have wondered if this is an official City mini-park or an eccentric flower-loving property owner . No ! It ’ s the brainchild of Betty , the “ idea lady ” and Brenda , the “ let ’ s do it lady .” With permission from the property owner and without any public funding , these two have created the “ Islands of Beauty .”
Betty remembers a time around Taft , in Central California , when oil drillers and their families converged on the area to build rigs to suck black gold out of the earth . There were lots of temporary houses where many had an “ Island of Beauty .” Sometimes it was a delicate lace curtain in a drab window ; other times it was a beautiful painted door ; occasionally it was a small flower garden in front of a weathered temporary house . These images became the inspiration for the Sixth and Eigleberry “ Islands of Beauty .”
In the fall of 2006 Brenda and Betty started the little garden . Without any experience in garden design they have created a beautiful little country garden . They have had some interesting help . Once , early in the project , two very clean and proper missionaries in white shirts offered to help the two very grimy ladies dig up old weeds and junk . Betty and Brenda declined that time .
One day an unknown lady delivered an Orchard Supply gift card to help purchase supplies . One gentleman dropped off a miniature rose that continues to flourish ; another left a gorgeous primrose . Two uniformed soldiers from the Veteran ’ s of Foreign Wars
Hall across the street declared “ Good job , Maam .”
Another day two Hispanic young men stopped to admire the garden when one of them announced enthusiastically , “ This is so beautiful . I would marry this garden if I could !”
As these two inexperienced gardeners have cared for this plot , they have learned a few lessons on landscaping and gardening . Some plants go together ; others do not . Every now and then you get a major surprise like the time the marigolds grew to over six feet !
Brenda and Betty are shy people who did not take this project to make news . They did it because it was a good thing and to encourage others to create “ Islands of Beauty .” Brenda also tends to the flowers in front of The Nimble Thimble and Gilroy Antiques , both in Downtown Gilroy .
Both ladies encourage others to create or adopt their own “ Islands of Beauty .” For more information contact Betty at 842-5291 , Brenda at 842-6208 .
Following a winter rain , Brenda Cherani and Betty Lepper plan for the spring .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008 GILROY TODAY 7