this is an idea resource for horticultural therapists and activity professionals in senior care facilites, hosptals and rehab centers. There are themed gardening activities for a wide range of functioning levels and hundreds of activites that relate to the plants being grown. Avenues for socialization, opportunites to relive memories and make new discoveries abound as residents, patients, clients and staff share the joy and wonder of gardening.
Hank Bruce is a writer, horticultural therapist, hunger activist, teacher and speaker. He has done research on micro-intensive vegetable gardening systems that can be adaptable for use by gardeners with limitations, and for those living where there is limited water, space, soil or other resources. He is the program director of a non-profit food security organization, Hunger Grow Away, www.hungergrowaway.org.
Hank is becoming famous, or infamous, for his tumbleweed soup. When life gives you lemons make lemonade, but in the southwest the gift is tumbleweed, so we make tumbleweed soup. If you would like the recipe contact Hank.
Hank and his wife Tomi have had over 25 books published, dealing with a wide range of subjects ranging from gardening in the classroom to horticultural therapy, end of life issues to hunger issues, and a novel, "Oblivion, a Novel Place to Live," that explores the possibility of an eco-friendly, sustainable community.
In the summer of 2009 Tomi and Hank launched a new series, "Seniors Illustrated." These are little books written for senior citizens living at home or in senior communities. They deal with topics of interest to seniors and have elders are the main characters. Sally Lamas, a gifted artist is the illustrator for this series.
Hank's book "Peace Beyond All Fear, a Tribute to John Denver's Vision" won the New Mexico Book of the Year Award in the anthology category for 2008. His book, Garden for the Senses, Gardening As Therapy was the first book ever released at EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World, and is currently being translated into Italian for the European market.
"The Family Caregiver's Journal, a Guide to Facing the Terminal Illness of a Loved One" received the Caliente Award from Reading New Mexico as a book that should be in every library in Sept. 2009.
In April 2007 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Chapter of the American Horticultural Therapy Association and in 2001 he was given the Humanitarian of the Year Award by the American Horticultural Therapy Association.
Hank's works in progress include:
"The Miracle of the Moringa" is a children's picture book about two young children save their village from hunger and starvation in Kenya, This book is beautifully illustarted by Miho Kamotsu (spring of 2011) a portion of the proceeds from this work will help to sponsor the planting of moringa trees in Kenya.
"Enchanted by the Light" is a collection of Christmas short stories focusing on the diversity of cultures in New Mexico. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2011.
