By BECKY HOLLAND
www.americustimesrecorder.com

AMERICUS August 12, 2009 03:48 pm— In the middle of the city of Americus, directly across from Rees Park Economic Development Center, sits an old, historic home which serves as Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast. Though the inn itself provides enough history and color for many hours of pleasure and entertainment — it is what is found outdoors, directly behind the inn, that serves as an oasis, a labyrinth for registered guests and two cats named Squeaky and Kitten. It is a garden that hosts, according to Kim Egelseer, owner/innkeeper, “ 100 trees, 416 shrubs and 750 perennials.” His wife Susan said, “After the tornado, we lost many of our trees. Before the tornado, all we had were the trees and grass, and I guess, after experiencing that, we just wanted to offer something for our guests ... a meandering path, somewhere serene where they can go and feel at peace.” Working with a landscape architect from Atlanta, the Egelseers worked hard in installing plantings. “Everything is all new,” said Susan, adding that the site had lost about 30 trees. “People came and mourned our trees after the tornado. Now they come through and they walk through the path, and they ooh and aah.” The cats hide between the plants, including the “Mickey Mouse” flowers — called that because of the shape with “ears” and a “face.” There is a gazebo at the back of the garden which offers those who enjoy the site some shade and coolness in which to rest and relax. “The garden is just a surprise to most people. One person wrote that they saw humming birds in the garden and thought that was great.” Thinking for moment Susan said, “Peace and serenity is how she would describe the garden.” Squeaky, hiding among the flowers and the canna lilies (taller than Shaquille O’Neal could ever dream of being), smiled with his snaggle tooth grin it seemed, as if he agreed.

Rebecca L.(Becky) Holland
Americus Times-Recorder
News/ Education Editor