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Among the hidden
Michael & Cheryl Bystry’s garden will be showcased in “Take a Garden Walk”
bystry garden
The Bystry’s may not see eye-to-eye on how to organize the garden but they work in tandem to create an eye-catching work of art. This piece may be viewed during the Garden Walk June 26. - photo by Angie Maag

MONROE — Adventure awaits those who attend the Garden Walk June 26th. The coordinates of 42°N 36’ 2.837’’,89°E 38’ 45.803’’, also known as the home of Michael and Cheryl Bystry, is a treasure trove. 

Their house of 31 years is a standout on the block, painted in patriotic fashion of red, white and blue. It is the garden, though, that holds the prized possessions. Walking through the Bystry garden is equivalent to beginning a scavenger hunt that is never ending. There is no barren spot. Tucked away in every nook and cranny is an unseen gem, only the trained eye can see. 

The grandchildren of the Bystry’s can attest to this. When Easter rolls around, there are many eggs unfound. Even the Bystry’s themselves lose track.

“We will be finding them all summer long,” Cheryl said. “We can never seem to find them all.”

“Every now and then we will see the squirrels found one and tried to crack it open, leaving egg shells everywhere,” Michael added. 

It is no secret why the Bystry garden was included in the Garden Walk. The fundraiser will allow visits to get lost among the hidden while giving back to the community through a donation to the Monroe Clinic Hospice Home.

The “Take a Garden Walk” event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26 and will take walkers through six different gardens. A donation is required for participating adults; children 12 and under are free. All money will go to Monroe Clinic Hospice Home to be designated for landscaping projects.

If you go ...

‘Take A Garden Walk’

When: June 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What: Proceeds to benefit the Monroe Clinic Hospice Home


Featured Gardens in Monroe:

●  Mike and Cheryl Bystry, 1109 11th Ave.

●  Cathy Hauck, Infinity Yoga Studio, 1218 17th     Ave.

●  Jan Lefevre, 2115 14th St.

●  Dick and Sue Leuzinger, 1915 Lincoln Rd.

●  Deb Vande Hey, 711 28th Ave.

Items to look for in the Bystry Garden:

 

●  A hummingbird weathervane

●  A antique sundial

●  A female figure with a bottlefly net

●  Two traditional brass armillary spheres

●  A pigeon riding a bike

●  A multicolored butterfly and one dragon fly

●  The celestial harmony of the moon and sun

●  A bell from Michael’s old dairy farm

●  A statue of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals and ecology

●  A yellow metal flower and blue orb tucked away under a hosta

●  A few bunny statuettes 

●  Several statues of ducks, geese, and cranes

●  Many, many birdhouses