Puddleford sunflower field (Image courtesy of Gail Whitney)Puddleford sunflower field (Image courtesy of Gail Whitney)
Chatham

'Making Sunny Memories' for those with Alzheimer's

Is there a better way to make bright, happy memories than strolling through a field of 20,000 sunflowers?

The owners of Puddleford Tree Farm in Kent Bridge are inviting the public to make some sunny memories, pick a flower or two, and donate to the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent.

Admission is $5 a car and clippers are available for visitors to pick sunflowers at a cost of $1 a stem.

"It's all on an honour system," co-owner Gail Whitney said. "100 per cent of those funds we send back to the Alzheimer Society."

Whitney added that they started supporting the Alzheimer Society in 2020 after her father passed away.

She said people start turning up as soon as they find out the sunflowers are ready.

"As soon as people find out that the sunflowers are open, we've got people coming and going, and kids running through the fields," she said. "Sunflowers seem to bring smiles to everyone."

Sunflower field (Image courtesy of Gail Whitney)Sunflower field (Image courtesy of Gail Whitney)

The farm is located just east of Chatham at 22896 Scane Road and is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whitney said the sooner you show up, the better because when it comes to visiting the field of flowers -- as with most good things -- it won't last long.

"We're open every day until the sunflowers fade, which is usually about two weeks... So, sometime mid-July the flowers will be done," Whitney said.

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