Milo Garden Club recognized for 95 years of community service

MILO — Ninety-five years ago in 1930, a group of women with a common interest in gardening wanted to share their knowledge and talents with others in their small neighboring communities in Piscataquis County. This group became the Milo Garden Club. Four years later, they joined the recently formed Garden Club Federation of Maine which began with nine clubs in the 1930s and has grown to 37 as of 2025.

Throughout its 95 years, members of the Milo Garden Club often worked tirelessly behind the scenes providing more than floral ornamentation to the community. The club has brought smiles and gratitude to the faces of many who have benefited from its generosity. Using only the financial resources made during their one annual fundraiser, a summer fair and plant sale, the Milo Garden Club continues to generously support area non-profits and community services. 

Looking back through Milo annual town reports, it is not uncommon to read expressions of gratitude from representatives of various town entities such as the library, the school superintendent, the community hospital and the cemetery. In 1942, the Milo Fire Department reported receiving a donation from Milo Garden Club in aid of purchasing a resuscitator. In 1976, the club joined with other organizations and individuals to purchase shade trees to replace those felled by Dutch Elm Disease.

Bird baths, trees, benches and assisting with the purchase of the Evergreen Cemetery marker are the club’s early contributions to the cemetery in Milo. Shrubs, flowers for outside and for window sills inside, as well as gardening books have been club gifts to the Milo Free Public Library.

When the town housed Milo Community Hospital the garden club provided holiday cheer for the patients, hospital staff and visitors with wreaths on the building. In 1976, to cover operational losses and renovation costs, the hospital began a fundraising campaign with the help of the hospital auxiliary, community members and organizations. Members of Milo Garden Club provided flower arrangements and helped to decorate the hospital float for that year’s Bicentennial parade. The float not only won first prize, but also raised over $2,700 for the hospital.

To this day, Milo Garden Club continues traditions of spring care and summer plantings throughout the community. The club also continues to support a number of local and state non-profits with monetary donations or hands-on projects.

Recently, during a meeting of the Penobscot District Garden Clubs, held on May 3 in Veazie, the Milo Garden Club was honored to receive a Certificate of Merit from Karen Rea, president of the Garden Club Federation of Maine in recognition of Milo Garden Club’s 95 years of community service.

If gardening, conservation, wildlife and community service are of interest to you, please consider becoming a member of Milo Garden Club. You do not need to live in Milo to participate. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, you may call 207-943-2400.