Volunteers plant flowers at North Iowa Events Center

MASON CITY – Sun-dappled Village Cooperative volunteers planted flowers at the North Iowa Events Center last Friday in preparation for summer activities and the July 10-14 North Iowa Fair. Strong winds buffeted volunteers Audrey Huff, Ruth Graf, and Shirley Petersen and threatened to dislodge flowers from the planter before they were firmly patted into place. A flowering crab tree in full bloom also vied for attention at the northeast corner of the All Seasons Building where the planter is located. Volunteers will water and maintain the planter’s contents throughout the season. The flowers were donated by Menard’s.

Also present to lend advice and a helping hand were Coop residents Don Petersen, Dick and Doris Smith. The Village Cooperative is home to the residents of 50 individually-owned units. Homeowner Shirley Petersen says, “Living in a maintenance-free setting gives us extra time to pursue our hobbies and take part in community activities.”
Ruth Graf, who also lives at the Coop, finds it especially appealing because of her frequent trips to Arizona to help care for aging parents. “I just turn the key and leave,” she says, “knowing it will be fine when I get back. Snowbirds and other travelers like that aspect of the Coop, too!”