Healing Gardens in St. Charles to add visiting days to share solace of nature

ST. CHARLES – Healing Gardens, a two-acre expanse of woodland and perennial gardens at Stone Hill Farm off Dean Street in St. Charles, announced its 2020 season will begin from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and the following Sunday.

Social distancing guidelines will be followed. The mosquito-free gardens are open to the public on set dates for the purpose of enjoying the natural setting, a news release stated. The admission cost is $5 per person and $10 per family. One may call for discounted group rates. Cancer survivors visit for free. Donations of time or money for upkeep are welcome. Healing Gardens is cultivated and hosted by Deborah Marqui, owner of Stone Hill Farm with her husband, Buzz Marqui.

The June 7 and 14 opening dates will offer an optional outdoor, gentle "Yoga in the Garden" class from 1 to 2 p.m., taught by Nancy May. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Go to www.yogafromtheheart.org or call 815-319-3500 to register.

Responding to the stress of the quarantine, for the 2020 season, Healing Gardens will be made available for individuals to visit during the week along with the scheduled public Sunday openings. People are asked to text, which is preferable, to 630-740-2597 or call and leave a message to make arrangements for a visit. There is no charge, but a donation would be appreciated.

“Being in Nature dissolves tension, restores sanity and soothes the anxious heart,” Deborah Marqui stated in the release.

Marqui, who is cancer-free from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 1996 and in remission from breast cancer since 2002, finds great restoration of spirit in her gardens and property and wants to share that with the public for their own rejuvenation, she stated.

The gardens regularly are open to the public on the second Sunday of each month through October.

Groups are welcome to schedule and reserve special days to visit the gardens. Deborah Marqui also leads day retreats, hosts Silent Saturday Mornings, and is a commissioned presenter of Centering Prayer. She is the author of "From the Fire Into the Garden – A Healing Journey."

Healing Gardens is at 37W249 Dean St., St. Charles. For more information, call 630-740-2597 or visit www.healinggardensatstonehillfarm.com.