Flower arrangement classes brighten the lives of Grayling area senior citizens

Grayling area senior citizens are sprucing up their own homes and those of their peers in nursing homes in and assisted living facilities through  flower arrangements classes.

The classes are being held at 10 a.m. on Mondays at the Crawford County Commission on Aging and Senior Center, 307 Lawndale St.

Nancy MacDonald, who worked in the flower arrangement industry for 32 years, including managing a shop in Traverse City for four years and owning her own business in Orlando, Florida for 10 years, is teaching the classes.

“It’s fun,” MacDonald said of passing along her skills. “I love working with flowers.”

Students in the class have been able to spruce up their own homes, and share their creativity when giving gifts. 

“They can go home and do their own arrangements,” MacDonald said. “If they want to give something for a present, now they know the basics and they know what to do.”

Participants in the class have made flower arrangements and table arrangements for the Northern Pines Assisted Living facility, the Grayling Nursing and Rehabilitation Community, the Crawford Continuing Care Center and The Brook of Grayling.

MacDonald supplies the flowers and other items to craft the arrangements, and senior citizens bring in their own materials to work with.

Denyce Krolczyk said she was tickled to take an antique ice bucket she had at home and utilize it for a flower arrangement.

“I didn’t think I had the talent and found out I did,” Krolczyk said. “I love it.”

Donna Cheney said she enjoys being among her fellow “flower girls” at the senior center.

“I like meeting people and having some fun, and I love flowers,” Cheney said.

Martha Austin said she previously took a class through Flowers by Josie, and is renewing her interest in fowler arrangements at the senior center.

“I thought it would be fun and it gives you something different to do, to get out of the house,” Austin said. 

MacDonald said she would continue with the classes as long as there is a demand.

“We’ll go along as they want to go,” she said.