Over 50 members of the Marion Garden Group were joined by 10 new members for the Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Beverly Yacht Club on Tuesday, June 6. The following officers for the Board were proposed and approved: Suzy Taylor, president; Sarah Mitchell, vice-president; Lindy Williamson, Secretary; Phyllis Partridge, treasurer; Kathleen Egger, membership; Martha Fisher, fundraising; Sylvia Strand, programs; Wendy Bidstrup, publicity; Liz Hatch, past president.
Other business included reports from various heads of events and projects including the upcoming fundraiser, “Secret Gardens of Marion” tour, Emilie Kendall, chair. All members will participate to make this bi-annual event, a memorable occasion, to be held June 23, rain or shine. Visit MGG website for tickets and information. Other fundraisers like the Holiday Boutique and wreath sales, plus dues, donations and good will make it possible to give back to other town nonprofits.
Thanks to the support and generosity of the community at large, MGG, by unanimous vote, approved the following organizations to receive donations this year: Camp Hadley restoration – Marion Boy Scouts; Landscaping – Council on Aging; Plantings – Elizabeth Taber Library; New landscaping – Marion Art Center; Sippican Lands Trust; Memorial Garden restoration – Sippican School; Sippican Women’s Club; and tree id tags – Tree Committee.
The window boxes, urns and planters are maintained by volunteers year round. Special help is needed for the large planters during the summer. If you’d like to be a “Planter Angel”, check in on the website: www.mariongardengroup.org.There’s lots of information about other activities. Founded in 1956 (after the hurricane), the Mission of MGG is “To identify and improve strategic public areas within Marion by enhancing them with gardens and landscaping. “And a long before that, in 1889, in her Last Will and Testament, Elizabeth Taber left a bequeath for “the improvement and embellishment of my native place. [Marion].”Listing trees. flowers, sidewalks, parks, fountains and works of art….to beautify and make wholesome my native village…that its people may live in the midst of healthy, elevating and refining influences”