With sadness, the Millbrook & Area Garden Club executive has decided, after an amazing 30-year run, to close its doors.
The garden club was founded by Millbrook resident Loretta Pompilio in in the summer of 1992. After her tragic death in the spring of 1997, the club continued on under the direction of Art Clarke, Nancy Legge, long-time (20 year) president Wendy Olsen and Glen Spurrell. Over the years membership swelled to over 100 members who were treated to fascinating guest lectures, bus tours, workshops, and garden tours all primarily financially supported by twice yearly plant sales – plants that can still be found in many a local garden. More still were treated to a monthly newsletter by Jane Zednik which was both educational and entertaining. It will be missed.
Then COVID hit and afterwards, membership in the garden club failed to fully recover, so the difficult decision was made not to continue on. However, volunteers from the garden club are still committed as “friends of the Millbrook community garden” to keep on maintaining the central and surrounding garden flower beds.
Some members prefer to say that the club is “going dormant” and will perhaps come back to life in the future. For those garden enthusiasts who can’t wait for that possibility, there are several other garden clubs in the area.
Port Hope Garden Club meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 33 Pine St., N. Information on this club is available on the “GardenOntario” website. Peterborough Horticultural Society meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month (except July, August and December) via Zoom or in person at the Peterborough Lions Centre, 347 Burnham. Their website is www.peterboroughhort.com. Finally there is the Omemee Garden Club which can be found on Facebook called Omemee Blooms Garden Club, which meets on the
3rd Monday of the month either via Zoom or in person at the Omemee Legion, 46 King St., E. For details, visit their website at www.omemeeblooms.ca.
Longer days are a promise of spring days ahead which will bring new garden triumphs and tragedies. The commiseration and encouragement of sharing those stories have always been a balm to those dedicated to the solitary pastime of gardening. These conversations will no doubt continue in smaller, informal discussions. Garden on!
