Harpswell was well represented at the 92nd annual convention of the Garden Club Federation of Maine in Orono. Led by club president Tuckie Westfall, the club’s members participated in the garden tour, a reception and dinner followed by the keynote speaker’s presentation on Thursday, June 20. Friday’s business meeting was followed by a delightful presentation from floral designer Sandra Leonard on Ikebana designs. The day ended with a buffet luncheon and the distribution of awards.

The Harpswell Contingent: Tuckie Westfall, Becky Gallery, Judy Stallworth, Suzanne Bushnell and Diane Loughlin.

Harpswell GC members Suzanne Bushnell and Judy Stallworth in the “Sweet Pea Cottage” in Hampden

One of Sandra Leonard’s Ikebana designs

The gardens on Thursday were spectacular, in spite of the 90+ degree heat. From trellises covered in pink roses to dozens of varieties of peonies to a pocket-sized garden on a small lot in an Orono subdivision, the day was filled with delights. Upon returning to the boutique hotel on the University of Maine’s campus, the exhausted garden visitors were surprised by a thunderstorm that caused a power outage in the hotel and surrounding area. Being hardy souls, everyone managed to find a way to refresh themselves for the evening gathering. And luckily, power was restored in time for all to enjoy the evening’s events.

Roses on the trellis at the Clark Cottage Gardens in Hampden

One of dozens of peony specimens in a Bangor garden originally designed by Bob Bangs of Windswept Gardens.

Gardening in a 1960’s subdivision in Orono

Friday afternoon ended when GCFM Awards co-chairs Judy Stallworth and Emily Adler presented awards. The last club to receive its awards was Harpswell. We astonished the attendees by earning 430 points on the Club of Distinction Award. Harpswell Garden Club also received the Norine S. Veal New Member Award, having added 18 new members during the last year. Finally, our club received the Gloria Bryson Burrill Award for tree planting. This award was earned by our working with community volunteers to plant a native black gum tree at Centennial Hall’s gardens.

Please “Save the Date” for the 2025 convention: June 17 and 18. The Piscataqua District and Village by the Sea in Wells will once again welcome the GCFM clubs. The convention will include the installation of officers, including Harpswell club member Becky Gallery’s installation as President of Garden Club Federation of Maine.