MIDDLEBURY — The new slate of officers for the Middlebury Garden Club was recently installed at the club’s annual luncheon at the Waybury Inn. As gardeners, “we like to get our hands dirty and grow things,” member Lynne Boie remarked. She charged the new leaders to do just that and “to get things done” acting as optimists and doers on behalf of the organization.
The new officers include President Pat Morrow of Cornwall, First Vice President/Program Chair Lorraine Abramson of Middlebury; Second Vice-Presidents/Membership Chairs Shari Johnson of Cornwall and Nancy Wood of Ferrisburgh; Treasurer Lorrie Muller of East Middlebury; Recording Secretary Pat Durfee of Middlebury; and Corresponding Secretary Elaine Mitchum of Bridport.
“The new board is talented and very committed,” Morrow said. “I am looking forward to our work together in the club.”
Within the Middlebury community, the club’s activities have been especially evident at the Sheldon Museum, where members have tended the museum gardens throughout the summer, hosting “weeding parties” and maintaining the beautiful flower gardens. This is the 29th season that the club has been responsible for the Sheldon’s gardens and this continues to be its most visible and inviting service project.
For the Sheldon’s June tour of Middlebury gardens, club members served as volunteer greeters at featured gardens, too. At the Ilsley Library, club members continue to furnish a monthly flower arrangement for the public to enjoy, and the library staff recently purchased seven new gardening books with a $200 donation from the club.
In other activities, club members served as judges for floral designs at Field Days as well as giving instruction in flower arranging to young people. At the Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, residents and club members worked together to create tray-top arrangements with flowers from members’ gardens, including delivering them to the rooms of residents who could not attend.
While service is at the heart of the club, members also took time to participate in four garden tours over the summer including trips to the Hidden Gardens in Hinesburg, the Von Trapp Greenhouse in Waitsfield, the gardens at Basin Harbor Club and garden columnist and horticulturist Judith Irven’s garden in Goshen.
The club plans monthly meetings or activities and features a number of informative programs open to the public. In November local beekeeper Ross Conrad will be speaking on honeybee health and gardening. Upcoming topics in 2015 include container gardening and best trees and shrubs for planting in Addison County.
The Middlebury Garden Club, which was established in 1933, is open to anyone in Addison County interested in gardening and community service.  It’s a great way to meet local gardeners and be involved in the community. For information about joining the Middlebury Garden Club, contact Membership Chair Shari Johnson at [email protected].