溫哥華老友記討論區 - Powered by Discuz! Board

標題: [溫哥華本地新聞] Couple says ‘I do’ as Minter Gardens bids adieu [打印本頁]

作者: tiffiant 時間: 2013-10-14 06:51 標題: Couple says ‘I do’ as Minter Gardens bids adieu

Couple says ‘I do’ as Minter Gardens bids adieu

Wedding ceremony marks the Chilliwack show gardens’ final day of operation
Wedding flowers — in fact, 27 acres of wedding flowers — were the order of the day Sunday as Bill and Amanda (Callin) Young tied the knot at Minter Gardens.
Bill Young’s grandfather Jim helped build the Chilliwack show gardens, so it was both a sweet day and a bittersweet day as the couple strolled the garden on the picturesque eve of its closure Thanksgiving Day Monday.
“It’s the seventh anniversary of our first date: we met on Friday the 13th,” joked Bill, joined by a large group of wedding guests. “It’s our lucky number — we’re going to Vegas and let it ride on Number 13.”
The Chilliwack couple was the last in a long line of couples to choose the meticulously manicured garden property — now up for sale — to spread their wedding joy.
“It’s just an honour to be the last after the thousands of wedding that have happened here,” said Bill.
“My grandfather Jim Young built many of the buildings here, so there’s that family connection.”
Amanda’s special day was also sunny and warm — a fitting, picture-perfect way to start a marriage.
“We had chosen to get married here, then they phoned to tell us they were closing,” said Amanda.
“We decided to carry on; it’s a beautiful place.”
But keeping the place beautiful was also a lot for the Minter family to look after, along with the nearby 18-acre Country Garden Store that will remain open even after the gardens property finds a buyer.
“We’ve been very busy making sure all our commitments are met,” said Lisa Minter-Bustin, whose father Brian Minter first opened the gardens in 1980. “I was born and raised here.
“What’s been truly amazing is the outpouring of affection — cards and letters and emails and phone calls. We’re just so encouraged by all the good will and support.”
The garden’s future is in doubt; presumably someone willing to buy the property will also want to turn at least part of it into housing.
“There are a lot of question marks right now,” said Minter-Bustin, who’ll now have more time to seek out buyers following the gardens’ official closing at 5 p.m. Monday. “That’s not our skill set — developing the property.”
As she walked the grounds, many visitors approached her — some with thanks, some with regrets, some with sadness, but all appreciative of the decades the gardens has been a lovingly cared for refuge from fast-paced urban living.
The family announced the closure in June, so with time the shock of selling has subsided.
“It’s been tough,” admitted Minter-Bustin. “I was five when we bought the property, and my kids have been born and raised here.
“We’ve had a number of months to think about it, so it’s not so difficult anymore.”
Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will be the last chance for visitors to say goodbye to the Minters and their beautiful creation.
Walking the grounds for nearly the last time, she wistfully sends her appreciation to all the fine folks who have called the gardens home for a day, a season, or even year after year.
“What I’ll remember most is that the people who come here are just cool people"

作者: tiffiant 時間: 2013-10-14 06:53

[img][/img]

Newlyweds Amanda (Callin) Young and Bill Young walk through Minter Gardens in Chilliwack, BC, after getting married at the Gardens on its final weekend of operations, October, 13, 2013.

Lisa Minter-Bustin poses for a photo at on of her favourite places at Minter Gardens in Chilliwack, BC, October, 13, 2013. Minter-Bustin was captivated as a child at the size of the bridge pictured in the background when it was first built.

A woman sits on a bench in front of Canadian Flag made out of flowers at Minter Gardens in Chilliwack, BC, while visiting on its final weekend of operations, October, 13, 2013.

歡迎光臨溫哥華老友記討論區 (http://loyaukee.com/forum/)