The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

September 4, 2021 – It was over seven years ago, in May 2014, when the Peru Gazette photographed Serenity Garden on the Harkness-Clintonville Rd. At that time, Art Ford, a logger by trade, had worked on his property off and on for about three or four years. He had planted a few flowers and laid down a few stone terraces.

Over the past seven years, many people have grown to love Serenity Garden. Today, several flower-laden terraces overlook a beautiful pond. A U.S. Flag with an American soldier kneeling at his foot flies proudly across the pond.

This morning Art’s wife Ann Poulin was carefully removing small bales of grass from the garden’s stone path. The Gazette’s photo journey had just about ended when a car stopped. The driver, Joan Coulon from Dannemora, walked up to Ann and said, “I want to give this to Mr. Ford. I want to thank him. I love this place so much. Every time I come here, I think I’m in heaven.” Mrs. Coulon gave Ann a framed photo she had taken of Art seated in one of the garden’s chairs. She surrounded the photo with small pebbles, similar to those that grace the garden’s path.

In our 2014 story, Art Ford said, “I hope people stop by and think about something other than what’s going on in the world today.” When people ask what he’s named this place he says, “Sometimes I think “Serenity” would be a good name, but I really don’t have a name.” A Christian cross surrounded by beautiful tulips overlooked the peaceful pond. Ford said he hopes people take time to think about God when they visit. He remarked, “I say I’m trying to get into heaven on a maintenance visa.”