Local Matron Joins Volunteer Efforts at PWC

Published: 18 April 2018

Several days ago, two local ladies chatted together in a conversation that led to a positive decision. Mental health advocate and former Americus first lady Andrea Thomas confided to her friend, Charlene Hayes, a fellow advocate and nurse at Perry Wellness Center, that she would really like to volunteer at the center.

After receiving encouragement, Mrs. Thomas approached Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO Stuart Perry on the grounds of St. Johns Anglican Church, where she offered her volunteer services. Needless to say, Stuart was thrilled to accept her offer and quickly made arrangements for her to begin.

On Monday, April 16, Andrea Thomas arrived at Rudy’s Happy Patch Market – named, by the way, in memory of her friend Charlene’s late husband, advocate and author Rudy Hayes. She was greeted by Stuart, who quickly escorted her around the many greenhouses and open pavilions in the market area.

“The wind was cold and rough,” Stuart recalls, “But Mrs. Thomas was not hampered in her enthusiasm to help. I gave her the visitor’s tour, but she quickly reminded me that she was here to work!”

As for her duties, Stuart explains, “She will be visiting our center to help water the thousands of plants that we currently have.”

With a smile, the appreciate director concludes, “I am thrilled to have Andrea Thomas and lost no time in asking her to find additional volunteers.”

As for Andrea Thomas, her feelings mirror Stuart’s. “I am thrilled to be involved with Perry Wellness Center,” she says. “I have known Stuart for a long time, but his attendance at St. Johns Anglican Church excited me to help in his mission.”

Welcome and thanks, Miss Andrea!

In the photo above, Stuart Perry, left, and plant maintenance staffer Steve McKenzie, right, welcome their newest volunteer, Andrea Thomas, to Perry Wellness Center.

Truckload Harvest Arrives from St. Johns Anglican Church

Published: 16 April 2018

St. Johns Harvest Recently, we shared the story of the growing community partnership between Perry Wellness Center and St. Johns Anglican Church. Several months ago, the expansion of the church grounds at 220 Southland Road led to the creation of a series of raised garden beds, along with walking trails and a recreational area. During the plan stages, church leaders determined that nutritional produce would be planted in the beds and used to help feed the growing number of peers at the center. Many of these individuals now attend St. Johns, along with PWC founder and CEO Stuart Perry and family members.

“This partnership of caring for our peer population and staff began last Christmas,” Stuart notes. “Since then, this church has increased its donations to Perry Wellness Center. I make a point to thank everyone in person each time I attend this thriving church.”

A portion of the garden beds harvest is sent to Rudy’s Happy Patch Market for display and sale to its growing number of customers, while the remainder heads to the cafeteria for lunch preparation. The greater variety in fresh produce is greeted with approval by peers and staff alike.

“They harvested red tip lettuce on their first delivery,” Stuart recalls. “It was a hit in our cafeteria. We all loved the fresh taste of this pretty lettuce.”

Several vegetable varieties were harvested and delivered to Rudy’s Happy Patch Market on one recent work day. The delivery included broccoli, collards, and giant heads of cabbage.

In the photo above, Stuart Perry smiles as he cuts broccoli heads from newly dug plants.

Tips for Knockout Roses

Published: 13 April 2018

Knockouts 2018 Throughout Southwest Georgia, green 3-gallon containers of Knockout roses are being brought home from Rudy’s Happy Patch Market for planting. The popular blooming plant is a mainstay of the market, and the spring supply is greater than ever this year.

Says Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO Stuart Perry, “We have five colors of Knockout roses available, with single and double blooms. With the popularity of the Knockout rose, I have bought 1,000 plants. We sell them for a very low price to please our customers. They have been popular at Happy Patch, and I want customers to leave with a smile.” While online and local prices vary, the price for all varieties is $18 at Happy Patch.

Following are a few instructions for the planting and care of Knockout roses:

Select a planting location in full sunlight. The more hours of sunlight the plant receives, the more vigorous its blooming.
Consider your soil quality prior to planting. Heavy clay may need amending to improve drainage or moisture retention improved in soil with a large amount of sand in it.
Water thoroughly. Lack of adequate watering is the primary cause of plant death after planting. The plant’s roots and potting soil should be saturated prior to placement. Additionally, the rose bush should be watered every day it doesn’t rain during the first year. This process will help acclimate the plant to the soil and spread its roots.
Apply a granular slow-release fertilizer such as Miracle Grow to the newly planted rose bush. A healthy application will help it recuperate from its replanting and adjust to its new location. For lush growth, continue a monthly application until cooler weather in the fall.
Prune lightly when needed. Heavy pruning is not required, as Knockout roses tend to grow uniformly. A light trim can control overly long stems and encourage a thicker growth.
When it comes to rose bushes, one IS the loneliest number, so plant several bushes together. You might even consider a raised bed for ease in maintaining your Knockouts.

In the photo above, a market parking lot is lined with containers of Knockout roses, ready for spring planting.

The Language of Flowers

Published: 11 April 2018

Geraniums and Ferns If you haven’t noticed by now, spring is popping out all over! The bright colors of our geraniums at Rudy’s Happy Patch Market are true POPs of color on campus.

Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO Stuart Perry always welcomes the sight of blooming geraniums on the grounds. “I am happy that our inventory of brightly colored geraniums seems to brighten smiles on our customer’s faces,” Stuart says. “I know that the geraniums were popular on our first mobile markets to Buena Vista and Ellaville.”

A natural-born marketer at heart, Stuart understands that in order for someone to hear a message, their attention must first be captured. “Our goal is to have all of our customers learn more about our mission at Perry Wellness Center. Now, more of our customers in Americus and other areas are leaving with a smile,” he notes. They may leave with a brightly colored plant in hand, but they are also leaving with a message about mental health and recovery.

These days, Mother Nature seems to be the greatest marketing tool of all!

In the photo above, bright geraniums greet customers in five greenhouses and a pavilion on the Perry Wellness Center campus.

"Going Green" a Healthy Meal Choice

Published: 09 April 2018

Lettuce At Perry Wellness Center, there are as many types of greens as there are shades of green. Kelly Jansen, a certified chef and nutritionist trained at South Georgia Technical College, promotes healthy, “green” eating in the center’s cafeteria and market. A variety of green, leafy produce, from collards to salad greens, is grown in the raised beds on campus, tended by peers, and sold at the market or carried home.

“I am aware of the value of greens in my personal diet and in the health and wellness program for our peers,” he explains. “We can cut any of these lettuce varieties for our customers, and they can serve a very fresh salad to their family.”

Recently, an overstock of different greens was made available to peers to take home for a future meal. Perry Wellness Center founder and CEO Stuart Perry says, “We had an abundance of both collards and salad greens in our gardens. We cut and bagged them for peers to take home for a future meal.”

In the photo above, a lush selection of fresh, growing lettuce awaits its future at a spring dinner table.

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Perry Wellness Center | 302 E. Furlow St., Americus, GA 31709 map | 229-924-2430 |

Local Matron Joins Volunteer Efforts at PWC

Truckload Harvest Arrives from St. Johns Anglican Church

Tips for Knockout Roses

The Language of Flowers

"Going Green" a Healthy Meal Choice

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