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 This project started a couple years ago as the brilliant idea of
then Mount Pulaski High School student and Boy Scout Troop 122
member Clayton Lindley. Lindley planned on creating the garden for
his Eagle Scout project and drew up detailed plans on his own. When
he realized this project had the potential to be bigger and
financially more than he anticipated, he decided that it would not
be possible to gather the funds on his own and to build it in time
to meet the Eagle Scout requirements.
Lindley changed his course of direction for the project and hence
turned over the garden plans to the congregation of his church.
Lindley, who is currently a sophomore at Eastern Illinois
University, was absolutely delighted to see the members of the Mount
Pulaski United Methodist Church take his plans and make the garden a
reality.
Work on what was an empty lot just east of the United Methodist
Church commenced in the springtime. A crew of volunteers worked
tirelessly to make the dream a reality.
The garden was truly a labor of love by local contractor Larry
Conaway, Jr. and his wife Cindy, who are Annabelle’s grandparents.
Annabelle's parents are Darin and Amy Phillips.
 Appropriately, Conaway spoke on this absolutely gorgeous September
Sunday morning to a crowd made up of the Methodist Church family and
community members. In his opening remarks, Conaway spotlighted the
talents of others who helped make the garden so unique. “As you see
here, this is Scott Lindley’s talents,” said Conaway, as the green
and yellow sign reading “Annabelle and Friends Garden” was unveiled.
Addy Phillips holds on tight to her grandfather,
Larry Conaway, Jr. as Pastor Zoila Marty addresses the crowd
Conaway, who was surrounded by his adorable grandchildren, including
Annabelle’s siblings, Addy and Dex, then revealed the marquee from
the old church that was beautifully refurbished by local
jack-of-all-trades, Don Maxheimer.
Annabelle’s grandfather Dan Phillips admires the work
of Don Maxheimer, who refurbished the old church marquee
Maxheimer told the story of how Sarah Jackson told her husband Jim,
“Go get the marquee from the old church out of the dumpster or
wherever it was stored, and save it; which he did, behind his
garage, for years and years,” said Maxheimer, noting that Sarah was
very smart in telling her husband to save it.
The marquee now rests in the beautiful garden. Maxheimer explained
some of the history of the marquee, “I think I was working on
something that was about 80 years old.” Indeed, after doing the
math, he was right. Maxheimer spruced it up and even modernized it
with “new LED lights and a solar system so you can come by and enjoy
it at night.”
Pastor Marty and Reverend Harter the day of the
dedication of the garden
 Pastor Zoila Marty also acted as the emcee of the program and she
introduced Pastor Rachel Stockle, who read a poem called “Angel” in
honor of Annabelle. “God sent an angel to the earth,
the sweetest angel, too
And for such a tiny little thing,
she had so much to do
She knew she did not have much time
upon this earth to stay
So she did not waste a second,
she got started right away
Her eyes were bright and sparkly,
she took in every turn
She did not miss a single thing
because Angel came to learn
God sent her here to touch the hearts
of those He could not reach
She called in courage, strength and faith
because Angel came to
teach
Her tiny little body
was so full of God above
You felt it when you held her
because Annabelle came to love
In seven short weeks she managed
what many never will
When she went home to Jesus
her purpose was fulfilled
She learned and taught, loved and played,
she learned her lessons
well
And know He was so proud of her
when she went home to dwell
But when I miss her oh so much
I can almost hear him say
Please understand her work was done
Annabelle did not come to stay”
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Pastor Stockle then spoke very movingly about Annabelle, who passed
away in January of 2013. “Annabelle in her few short months with us,
impacted the church and the community in some amazing ways,” she
said. She went on to explain the story, “So it’s not that surprising
that when one of our young men, Clayton Lindley, was looking for an
eagle project one of the things he suggested was a memorial garden
in Annabelle’s name. He worked with Ric up at Botanica and they did
a beautiful layout of what it might look like. The church looked at
it and the trustees approved it and then some things came up that he
ended up not being able to use it as his eagle project.
But the church kept those plans and along the way we started
referring to it not just as “Annabelle’s Garden” but “Annabelle and
Friends” because there were so many families that came forward and
wanted to put memorial money towards it.”
Taking a deep breath, Pastor Stockle continued, “There’s something
in this place. There’s a peace and a comfort in this place. I hope
you, on a regular basis, drive by and see someone sitting in one of
these benches. In the midst of life, whether it’s grief or some
other chaos, we all need a place of calm and quiet and comfort. It
occurred to me as I walked in this morning that we have for many,
many years needed a sanctuary on this corner and this building and
now you have a sanctuary in this place.
Part of Annabelle’s mission for us: To remind us of that peace and
comfort that comes from God. So it’s in her honor and memory, and
the honor and memory of so many that came before us in that 175
years that we dedicate, consecrate this garden to the honor and
glory of God. In the name of the father, son and the holy spirit,
and in the memory of so many loved ones.”
Gerald Goodman then read a list of names that included those who are
honored along with Annabelle in this garden: Richard Hayes, Larry
Clements, Sarah Jackson, Kathy Peddicord, Maggie Swain, Shirley
Hayes, Kathleen Garret, Melvin Singley and David McAfee.
Goodman also mentioned a lengthy list of those involved in making
the garden a success. Some of the names on that list along with the
Conaways were Annabelle’s great-grandparents, Larry Conaway, Sr. and
his wife Shirley of Mount Pulaski. Paternal grandparents Dan and
Betty Phillips of Mount Pulaski also contributed to the success of
the garden. Other community members involved in growing this garden
project included Don Maxheimer, Lyndell and Judy Emrick, Eleanor
Clements, Cub Scout Troop 122 and Rick Bridwell of Botanica Florals.
The garden was also made possible through generous donations from
the church family. There is a complete list at the end of this
article of all those who contributed in any way. Goodman apologized
if anyone was left off the list.
The crowd gathered also sang, “In the Garden” and concluded led in
prayer by Dr. Reverend Terry Harter DS.
Finally, the community was invited to join the church families for a
delicious potluck meal and cake in the church basement.
As published in the church pamphlet:
“The garden would not have been possible without numerous
supporters. The organizers of this event were grateful to those
individuals who sacrificially gave their time, talents and finances
so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and serenity found in the
garden.”
Darin and Amy Phillips and family
Larry and Shirley Conaway
Larry and Cindy Conaway
Danny and Betty Phillips
Kathleen Garret family
Cub Scout Troop 122 of Mount Pulaski
Melvin Singley family
David McAfee family
Lyndell and Judy Emrick
Jeff and Susan Clements
Lynn and Barb Freer and family
Dennis and Diane Blaum
Don and Janet Maxheimer
Larry Kraft
Scott Lindley
Clayton Lindley
Scott Lessen
Melody Williams
Dean Peddicord
Eleanor Clements
Rebecca Drake
Johnson True Value Hardware
Virginia McAfee
Rev. Rachel Stockle
Sarah Jackson family
Rev. Zoila and Rev. Pablo Marty
[Teena Lowery]
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