Manning Early Childhood Center surprises mentor Marie Land

"Marie's Bench" was a special presentation that the students and staff at Manning Early Childhood Center made to Marie Land as a celebration of her birthday, but most importantly, as a thank you for the hours she's spent during the past two-plus decades helping the students learn about gardening. PHOTOs BY CLARENDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The students at Manning Early Childhood Center surprised their mentor, friend, and personal gardening teacher Marie Land with songs, tributes and her own personal bench as their thank you for the endless hours that Land has spent helping the students learn how to garden and share their extra produce with others.

Marie Land sits on a bench that the students and staff at Manning Early Childhood Center presented to her in thanks for the hours she has spent helping students learn how to garden and share their extra produce with others. Students also honored Land with songs and tributes.

The students and staff at Manning Early Childhood Center surprised Marie Land with a special birthday present that also serves as a very special thank you for her devotion to the MECC students and her hours and hours of planting produce and flowers to share her love for gardening with them.