Special to the Star-Herald
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Garden Club will begin its 73rd season on March 16 at the Congregational Church with a program entitled, “Mechanics of Flower Arranging.” The Garden Club has held a high profile over the years with its dedication to beautifying the city with its plantings; its activities at Aroostook State Park where a nature trail was established in memory of “Red” Delano, a ranger who took great pride in his park; the planting of flowering crab apple trees on the grounds of the hospital; maintaining plantings and beds at the Turner Memorial Library; on Main Street; and at the Nordic Heritage Center — to name just a few.
One of the club’s most important projects was helping to convert a railroad bed between State Street and Academy Street into a series of gardens. A bike and walking path had been constructed throughout the city and, with private donations and contributions from businesses and clubs, the Downing Park was established. The Garden Club, through careful planning, filled it with flowering trees, shrubs and a collection of plants that bloom throughout the garden season. The work was done entirely by the club members, with help from the city’s highway department.
The Garden Club established and supports a scholarship in memory of some of its members with the Foundation at the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 1997. More information about this scholarship can be obtained by calling Keith Madore, UMPI, 768-9568.
On April 24, members will travel to Bangor to visit the Bangor Flower Show and on May 18, we will visit the gardens of Tim and Marie Cochran where they will explain to us how we can achieve a longer growing season with the use of raised beds.
Vaughn Martin will facilitate the technique of pruning on June 15 at Downing Park on the bike path.
A day trip, “Out of Country,” is planned for July 20, when we will visit two small extraordinary gardens in Temiscouata, Quebec. If there is enough time, we will visit the New Brunswick Botanical Gardens in St. Jacques.
On Aug. 17, we will meet again at the Congregational Church where we will put to good use the information we learned in March about flower arranging mechanics. At this time, we will bring fresh plant material, including branches, foliage and flowers and our own containers where Master Designer and Standard Flower Show Judge Ann Wight will show us the “artistry of arranging.”
Donna Keegan, gardening consultant, Garden Club Federation of Maine, and owner of Myrtle Tree, will present a program, “Putting Our Gardens To Bed.” She will explain the importance of disposing of diseased material properly, dividing perennials, planting of bulbs, as well as other important techniques to ensure a healthy garden the following spring.
The Garden Club will close its season with a potluck supper at the home of Frances Flewelling on Oct. 19, when we will share our photos of garden ornaments that members have used to enhance their gardens.
The Presque Isle Garden Club, Inc. is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Garden Club Federation of Maine. Keegan and Wight have earned their credentials through various schools that the National Garden Clubs offers to its members.
The officers include: Susan Barrett, president; Julie Freeman, vice president; Sylvia Pineau, secretary; and Donna Keegan, treasurer.
We meet usually on the third Tuesday of the month and we encourage anyone who has a love for gardening to join us. Please call Roberta Griffiths, 768-5608, or Martha Lapoint, 768-6311, for more information.
