I just wanted to give a shout out to an event that happened Saturday, June 4.

Village at the Falls — a group of neighbors in the Oregon City, Beavercreek and Redland areas helping each other stay connected to our community and in our own homes as we age — had a garden tour, showcasing nine amazing gardens in our area.

It rained — of course, it's June and the Rose Festival was in the Portland area — but people braved the elements anyway. And they were richly rewarded. There were acres of wildflowers, shade gardens nestled in forest settings, garden rooms created on a cliff side, a rainforest-like space — with catios! — a historic home whose gardens beg for a party to start, gardens in the city offering ideas of what glory can be brought to small spaces, and then on to country gardens.

Each of these stops on the garden tour featured works by local artists. There was art in the various gardens offering ideas about how creativity enhances growing spaces, along with art for sale, giving a chance to bring something home to your own garden.

I volunteered at one of the gardens in Oregon City (shielded from the rain by a tent — perhaps I'm a wimp), and was awestruck by how many people came to visit — 140. What an inspiring day it was with beautiful gardens visited by hardy Oregonians and a few out-of-staters.

If this event is repeated next year, you won't want to miss it. Watch this paper come spring of next year. You'll be in for a treat.

Barbara Derkacht is a resident of the Beavercreek Hamlet near Oregon City.