2024 Sunapee Gardeners Town Report
The Sunapee Gardeners are volunteers who come together to enhance our community
by planting and maintaining the many gardens in the Sunapee and Georges Mills areas.
Our focus is the beautification of our town through our gardening endeavors and educational programs.
The Sunapee Gardeners raised funds to establish a pollinators garden to be planted on the property of the LSPA in honor of Ellie Goddard and her inspiration to beautify the harbor. The projects have begun with signage, some plantings, and a red bench where one can sit to contemplate the beauty as Ellie and her husband Walt did in their own pollinators meadow.
To make a tax deductible contribution, please contact the LSPA / Ellie’s Meadow.
In memory of Betty Reid, a former Sunapee Gardener, 600 daffodil bulbs that were planted by Sunapee Gardeners, library staff, middle school students, teachers, kindergartners, and friendly volunteers bloomed this spring! Look for them at the Abbott Library, the Sunapee Archives, the Long Garden below the LSPA, and the memorial for Tony Bergeron by the Sugar River below The Livery.
We sponsored two programs that were well attended by the public. We co-sponsored a program with the LSPA on Pollinators. Judy Thackaberry, physical therapist, also led a programabout how to protect our bodies while gardening.
This summer we enjoyed the New London Garden Tour, a visit to Bagley Pond Perennial Farm in Warner, and another to the Billings Farm, Woodstock VT. In November, we enjoyed a delicious luncheon and tour at The John Hay Estate for Christmas at The Fells.
This holiday season (2024), we Sunapee Gardeners hope that you have enjoyed the harbor festooned with wreaths, bows, greens, and candle lights. The wreaths were offered at wholesale cost to the Town and harbor businesses and delivered by the Sunapee Gardeners. The red ribbon bows for those who had not ordered before were a gift of the Sunapee Gardeners and beautifully made by our Head Gardener, Donna Rowe. Several gardeners had fun decorating a 9’ tall tree at the Abbott Library for Sunapee’s Festival Trees.
The Gardeners plant and maintain many gardens and planters around Sunapee which include our Town Hall, Hames Park, Georges Mills, Dewey Beach, and several gardens in the harbor. Our window boxes at the Information Booth welcome those arriving to our Town. The Hames Park and the Watering Trough by Sunapee’s Livery welcome all to the harbor. In the 1800’s and the early 1900’s, this watering trough refreshed the horses that were boarded at The Livery which is on The Historic Register. The Livery is now a lively venue for music, art, events, and more.
In the harbor, the Sunapee Gardeners maintain the Memorial Garden and the Serpentine Garden, both near the tour boats, and the Long Garden, located in front of The Center for Lake Studies, the home of the Lake Sunapee Protective Association. We also plant and tend the Bridge Boxes which cross the dam that regulates the water in our precious lake.
This year, we welcomed several new Gardeners. Anyone is welcome to join us! All that is asked is a desire to support our beautification efforts for our community. For more information, please visit our new website, www.sunapeegardeners.org or contact us via email at SunapeeGardeners@gmail.com.
Chairman: Debbie Chrisman, Co-Chairman: Ginny Gwynn, Treasurer: Muriel Bergeron,
Secretary: Kate McCloy, Head Gardener: Donna Rowe, Co-Head Gardener: Patty Eaves
Recent invited speakers at meetings:
Judy Thackaberry, PT discussed how to protect our bodies and avoid injury while gardening.
Janine Marr, Director of Land and Conservation, Monadnock Conservancy presented “Gardens as Links to Preserving Future Landscapes”. Sponsored by Sunapee Gardeners and LSPA.
Fourth of July – Sunapee Gardeners on Parade!!
The Sunapee Gardeners proudly march in the annual Sunapee Town Parade.
June 2024 – New London Secret Garden Tour – SG Members enjoyed wonderful tours of some very special properties around New London!
April 4-5, 2024 – Landscaping for Water Quality, LSPA 2-day workshop, facilitated by UNH Extension and NH DES. For more information: https://www.des.nh.gov/event/2024-landscaping-water-quality-workshop
March 22, 2024 – Spring Seed Sowing Workshop at LSPA. Participants learned about native seeds, made their own mini-greenhouses and sowed seeds to take home. https://www.lakesunapee.org/sowing
November 6, 2023 – Christmas at the Fells – Tour and Luncheon
October 12, 2023 – Project Daffodil – Planting time at the Abbott Library
Project Daffodil is a wonderful tribute to the memory of Betty Reid. Betty’s family requested this location. A special site for planting was chosen in the intimate garden viewed from the relaxing porch with rocking chairs at the back of the library property. There will be a plaque made in keeping with the style of the others on the property and it will read: DAFFODILS IN THE GARDENS IN HONOR OF BETTY REID.
A dedication will be planned in spring 2024 as the blooms pop up.
Our enthusiastic Library Director, Malia Ebel, is as excited as we are to see this project come to life. Malia reached out to SCES (Sunapee Central Elementary School), School Principals, and The Outing Club. Sharon Parsons, Middle School Math & Science Teacher, participated with some of her students.
In addition, Briar Patch Landscaping will till a location at the far end of the library parking lot for planting. There is also an opportunity to plant in areas in the front, close to the entrance to the building.
The Sunapee Gardeners were on hand to guide the planting. Their experience as gardeners and willingness to participate in this event for Betty and for our community was greatly appreciated.
Preparing beds
October 2, 2023 – Prepping Daffodil Project Garden – Abbott Library
Pam, John, Nancy and Donna worked hard to prepare the garden for planting Daffodil bulbs at Abbott Library.
August 17, 2023 – Walking Tour of Sunapee Gardens!
The Sunapee Gardeners welcomed one and all to join them on an informal, free tour of Sunapee’s community gardens! We met in Sunapee Harbor. The people in the purple T-shirts “toured” the gardens in and near the Harbor and then carpooled to the other gardens ending in Georges Mills. Garden Captains were on hand to answer questions about plantings, cultivation and future plans. If you are interested in gardening, volunteers are always welcome to join! It is a great way to meet neighbors and make new friends in the community!
August 2, 2023 – Tour of Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH
The Sunapee Gardeners were delighted to visit the historic Sanborn Mills Farm in Loudon, NH. The visit cost $10 per person and included a two hour tour! The weather was beautiful!
July 21, 2023 – Art in Bloom at the Fells. The Sunapee Gardeners enjoyed viewing the Art in Bloom exhibit and were thrilled to learn about the art of floral arranging from a special expert, Lynne Merrill, before enjoying a wonderful lunch on the veranda. What a special event for all!
July 4th 2023 Parade – Sunapee Gardener’s Float
