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Celia's Rainbow Gardens was started seven years ago after
the death of Celia Winer, who succumbed to a viral heart infection on October
25, 1995. Her parents were amazed and touched by all the support they received
from the people of Quartzsite and wanted to give something back to the town's
people who had helped them get through such a rough time Celia was a beautiful
sensitive and caring child who started out life as Canada's smallest surviving
preemie at the time she was born. She came after 23 1/2 weeks, weighing in at 1
1/4 pounds. Her head was the size of a lemon, and her total length was only 12
inches. She was born on Good Friday, March 28, 1986, and the chances for her
survival were almost nil.
However, Celia Anne proved a fighter. Her iincredible will to live kept her
going when even the doctors were sure she would not make it.She went down to
less than a pound at one point. Her diapers were made from cutting an ordinary
washcloth into 4 pieces , each piece being a diaper. Her hands were so tiny that
her mothers' wedding ring could go up to her elbows.
She was not discharged from her tiny incubator until July 1, 1986. She was
only five pounds when she went home and had to have a heart monitor for over a
year due to apnea spells when she would forget to breathe.
Against all odds, Celia thrived. Her family eventually moved from the East
Coast to Quartzsite and opened the Reader's Oasis bookstore. Celia started
school and just loved the teachers and friends. She was the top of her class and
received many awards for achievement.
A year after her death, Celia's Rainbow Gardens was started as a memorial and
tribute to her dream of making the world a better place for everyone. She
believed that everyone could make a difference and that if you put your mind to
it you could do anything.
Celia loved the desert and wanted to do everything she could to preserve
nature, as well as all of the earth. She especially had a soft spot for
rainforest and ocean life.
Celia's Rainbow Garden has become her legacy. It is with
the help of many volunteers that the Gardens have become what they are today.
She would have been proud of everyone of the people who have gone out to the
Gardens to help make a beautiful and unique place to visit, a place of serenity
from a labor of love.
What started out as a small project in the beginning has now blossomed into
quite a feat of accomplishment. It includes several main trails through the
gardens with smaller trails branching off. There is a Veterans area, a chapel
trail and even a pet remembrance area. There is work being done on a
amphitheater that will seat over 100 that can be used for meetings, seminars,
exhibits, weddings and special occasions.
There is a miniature Pioneer Village, donated by the museum. The front
entrance has two huge flagstones, one will have Celia's portrait added this
season with a dedication. The other one has the plaques with names of everyone
who has been remembered with a tree or bench by their loved ones. Several areas
have been adopted by RV parks in Quartzsite, and have been landscaped by the
residents of these parks in memory of their friends and family who have passed
on. There is a fountain at the entrance that will be surrounded by a wall
holding the handprints of the children and teachers at the school where Celia
spent so many happy times. A semi-circle of seats is planned for story telling.
The front entrance will also have a raised bed with a rainbow of colored rock
welcoming visitors to the Gardens. There is a mining display in the Rock and Gem
pavilion area. this pavilion will display a selection of rocks and minerals
found in this area. A second pavilion will feature information about the flora
and fauna indegenious to the area.
A 9/11 Memorial Tribute will soon be added and will include a wild life pond.
This will be dedicated to the fire, police and other rescue workers who put
their lifes on the line for us during the 9/11 attack.
Behind this area will be two mazes and a playset for the children. Future
plans include a trail called A Gathering of Peoples, whcih will have displays of
early Quartzsite, Native American and Mexican influences. It will also have an
intagli (labyrinth) where people can walk and meditate.
Celias Rainbow Gardens is a work in progress, and would not be possible
without the help of the many volunteers who have given their time and efforts to
make what it is today. Many more volunteers are needed to keep the dream alive,
and anyone wishing to give some time is greatly appreciated. For more
information about the Garden, or to donate time, materials or finances, please
call 928-927-6551, or visit Reader's Oasis Bookstore.
Celias Rainbow Gardens is located in the Town Park in Quartzsite, AZ on
Plymouth Road just past the Town Hall. It is opened year-round. The many
volunteers that offer physical labor, materials, build unique displays and
creatively plant areas have made the Gardens a place of peace and serenity that
is today, a tribute to a childs dream.
