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Sheila M. Cann

High Park Area
Toronto, Ontario

September 15, 2002

David Orsini
Sunarts Design
60 Rivercrest Road
Toronto, ON M6S 4H3

Dear David:

The old man who lived in this house before I bought it in 1988 was for sure a gardener. The lawns were well cared for and there was a big vegetable garden behind the garage. All the beds were trim and lined with bricks. He got into trouble with the City over a large tree he cut down on the front lawn and finished up in court when he attacked his neighbour with a pitchfork for cutting down some lilacs he had planted on the neighbour's property, along the ravine side. But the garden looked like a backyard, bare and uninteresting. And quite a challenge. I think that if old Mr. Galata was around now he would not recognize his garden.

I approached you because of your knowledge of ravine lands and from that first visit when you planted a White Oak by the ravine edge to hold the soil you have been my guide and mentor. This letter is to say how much I appreciate your ideas and support over the past years. Turning the vegetable garden into an quiet outdoor space, with the wisteria laden pergola providing shade, was one of your brilliant ideas and has given me and my family constant pleasure. Pure brilliance, David. And not an expensive exercise because of the use of cable.

You introduced me to an awareness of the importance of using native plants and trees. And while I am not as enthusiastic of calendula or zinnias as you are, I have made sure that native plants are an integral part of my garden.

Finally, I must thank you for your solid advice whenever I have run into those peculiar situations arising from encounters with the City or difficult neighbours. I give you the credit for the adoption by the City of the White Oak you planted on my front lawn! I laugh when I look back at some of the strange incidents that seem to arise with owning and caring for a garden in the City. What would I have done without you?

David, thank you and may you thrive like my garden!

Sheila