December Meeting and Presentation
“Growing Gardens and Growing Minds”
Brittany Layman, Board Chair, Maine School Garden Network
Youth in Maine schools are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits and practice
environmental stewardship through the support of the Maine School Garden Network (MSGN).
Educational school gardens are promoted throughout the state with the assistance and guidance of the MSGN. Eleven schools in Hancock County participate in the network. One of the special events offered by the network is the Maine School Garden Day which provides workshops, garden tours, and networking opportunities for teachers, garden volunteers and coordinators. Read More
The Bar Harbor Garden Club celebrated the Blue Star Memorial Marker ceremony on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Gathering of the BHGC members at the Memorial Blue Star Marker braving the frigid temperatures.
Under the leadershp of the Co- chairs Jim Linnane and Carl Nelson, the annual Veterans’ Day ceremony was held according to the tradition on the 11th month, on the 11th day at the 11th hour at the Memorial Blue Star Marker on route 3in Bar Harbor. A hearty group braved the frigid 39 degree F temperatures and blustery winds blowing at 12 mph. A robust gathering of over 20 members and guests payed their respects to the many men and women who are serving and served in the armed forces.
November Meeting & Presentation

Chef Steven Boas, courtesy of Steven Boas
Chef Boas’ presentation, “Sprouts and Plants for Better Digestive Health,” sponsored by the
Bar Harbor Garden Club, will focus on the nutritional and digestive benefits of micro-greens. The talk is scheduled for Thursday,
November 9 at 1:00 P.M. at Birch Bay Retirement Village, Bar Harbor.

A newly completed roof at Beatrix Farrand Society’s Garland Farm with contributions from the Bar Harbor Garden Club.
The Beatrix Farrand Society is ever so grateful to the Bar Harbor Garden Club’s donation for this major restoration.
The back portion of the roof, which was repaired last year, has begun to weather and turn grey, Note that the front portion, which was just repaired, will weather and turn grey over this coming winter. The roof replacement is done! HURRAY!
Thanks for supporting our July 2023 Fundraising Events
The Bar Harbor Garden Club would like to thank our community for their support of two July fundraisers. This was the 34th year for the Club serving pies at the Fourth of July Seafood Festival, and we also offered a ‘Gardens By The Sea’ garden tour mid-July.
The garden tour was made possible because of the people who graciously shared their gardens with us, and the generous help we received from so many volunteers and sponsors. Please contact us (info@barharborgardenclub.org) if you know of a lovely garden in the community, for we’re always on the lookout for upcoming garden tours.
We want to thank the Mount Desert Islander & Ellsworth American Newspapers for including our articles promoting these fundraising events and our monthly programs, in addition to reporting some of the ways the Club supports the Community.
Youth Garden “Kids Can Grow” Program
The Bar Harbor Garden Club Youth Gardening Program is in its second year and keeps evolving. Last year’s program took place solely in Bernard, in cooperation with the Bass Harbor Memorial Library.
This year’s program is in conjunction with the Maine Cooperative Extension Service and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, which owns both Kelley Farm and Babson Creek. The program is aimed at middle school students and draws from all of MDI and Trenton.
The gardening classes are run through the Cooperative Extension’s “Kids Can Grow” program, and are taught by local master gardeners.
Garden Club Visits Downeast Horizons Children and Adult Programs

Jackson Benningfield holding his painted pot he created.
The Bar Harbor Garden Club Youth Activities Committee visited the Downeast Horizons (DEH) Children’s Program in Ellsworth to present a gardening activity for the participants. Each child decorated a pot and selected a flower to plant for someone special in celebration of Mother’s Day.
DEH, a local non-profit agency, supports and assists children and adults with developmental disabilities to live complete and fulfilling lives. The children who participate in the program come from MDI, Ellsworth, and the surrounding communities.
Garden Club Announces 2023 Youth Contest Winners
The Bar Harbor Garden Club proudly announced the local student winners of the 2023 Smokey Bear Poster Contest and Youth Poetry Contest.
Photography courtesy of the Bar Harbor Garden Club and Ms. Kristen Braun.
Congratulations to our four Scholarship Winners!!!
Southwest Harbor resident and MDI High School 2023 graduate Susanna Davis has been awarded the $1,000 Inge Weber Memorial Scholarship presented in partnership with the Bar Harbor Garden Club. The scholarship honors former garden club president and MDI native Inge Weber and aids college students pursuing horticulture-related studies.
Conservation and Education: Sundial Lupine Project
The Sundial Lupine Project is an undertaking by the BHGC to re-establish the native sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) in Maine. This native plant is no longer found wild in the state, although it has been re-introduced in a few small areas in southern Maine. Learn more…
Click on a photograph below to read about a Bar Harbor Garden Club project.