Thanks to a terrific crew of volunteers, and a donation of raised bed planters from Ron Forest & Sons Fence Co., phase 1 of the restoration of the Hunnewell House herb garden is complete! Old beds were dug out, roots removed, and plastic was placed to kill remaining seeds and beetle grubs. The restoration volunteers, working under the leadership of Ann Hancock, included: Linda Hausler, Mark Hausler, Ilene Knight, Jean MacLean, Elaine Malloch, June McClean, John McClean, Jim Hancock, and Patti Sorenson. Well done! Phase 2 includes finalizing the planting plan and sourcing plants. Meanwhile, club members meet monthly to tend the Hunnewell House gardens.
Garden Club Federation of Maine to Host New England Garden Clubs' 2021 Annual Meeting in Wells, Maine The six states that make up the New England Garden Clubs (NEGC) rotate the hosting of their Annual Meeting held every October. 2021 will be the year that the Garden Club Federation of Maine will take the lead to host this annual event! Mark your calendars for October 12 & 13th, and plan join club members at Village by the Sea Conference Center in Wells.
Outgoing GCFM Region Director Suzanne Bushnell of the Harpswell Garden Club will be the Chairman of the event and Fran Moore of the Camden Garden Club will be the Registrar. Putting on an event that includes members from six states is quite an undertaking, and Suzanne and Fran are actively recruiting people to help. FMI read the GCFM newsletter or email Suzanne at [email protected] Due to a water main break last fall on Black Point Road, the Hunnewell House did not have regular water service this season. The Garden Club is grateful to Scarborough Community Services for their help coordinating the involvement of several Town departments for a makeshift solution. Public Works set up some large rain barrels on an elevated sturdy stand, conveniently placed by the herb gardens at the Hunnewell House. The Fire Department kept the rain barrels filled, especially helpful due to a very long dry spell. With spigots 3 feet above ground and an old rubber hose, aided by gravity, we were able to walk around the garden and slowly water the plants. It took 3 old rubber hoses just to reach the flag pole garden! Luckily the ground is quite level and the water flowed slowly but effectively. When the water hook-up for Black Point was completed this August, Public Works installed two outlets for us, one by the herb garden and one by the flag pole garden. All of our backs have been saved, and the club’s volunteer weeders and other members who watered rejoiced! We are very thankful for all the departments and staff in Scarborough who coordinated with each other to meet our needs, and we were appreciative of all the patience of staff during this pandemic crisis. One staff member gave us his personal phone number in case we had any problems, and he called twice to see how things were going. With timely help from the Town, we kept the gardens thriving during a very dry season. Club members (social-distancing), Kathy, June, Ann, and Linda, tidy up the flagpole garden at the historic Hunnewell House.
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