General News: Opening of Hollie's Garden Celebrated
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| Hilary Atzrott and her father, SLCH CEO Allan Atzrott, prepare to cut the ribbon to Hollie's Garden as others watch. |
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| The fountain in the new garden was built by Randazzo Landscaping. |
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| The benches in the garden are meant for people to relax and reflect. |
May 26, 2011
By Charlie B. Scirbona
Under one of the few sunny skies in the past several weeks almost 100 people celebrated the opening of Hollie’s Garden at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Wednesday.
“At the board meeting this morning someone asked, ‘who ordered the weather?’,” said Sue Sullivan, vice president for advancement and government affairs. “Hollie did.” she said.
Sullivan was referring to Anne Hollis “Hollie” Atzrott. The garden is a tribute to Hollie, who lost her 17-year battle with cancer in 2010. Allan Atzrott, Hollie’s husband and President and CEO of SLCH said the idea came to build a garden for cancer patients came from his daughter Hilary, who remembered how her mother loved to relax in their back yard.
“We thought, why not give everyone that same sort of chance,” said Atzrott.
The garden, which has a circular pathway and fountain in the center, is meant to be a quiet place for patients dealing with cancer to come. Hollie's Garden was built through donations, and by Randazzo‘s Landscaping and Hudson Valley Night Effects. Eugene Randazzo said that his work on the project was a great experience and that he enjoyed the freedom of creativity the hospital granted him and Glen Barry of Hudson Valley Night Effects.
Hollie’s daughter, Hilary, gave a short speech during the celebration. She told of how her parents used to argue every spring about how many flowers to add to their garden, her mother always opting to go for more, and that she was glad to see the lush garden in full bloom.
“My mother’s legacy lives on in every flower that blooms here, and in every person that walks away feeling hope,” she said.
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