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04/30/2021 12:00 AMAfter being forced to take a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the North Haven Garden Club (NHGC) is looking forward to bring its annual May Market back to the North Haven Green on Saturday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.
“The pandemic was in full swing last year and we weren’t able to hold this event,” said Cindy Golia, who is organizing the event and also serves as the NHGC’s treasurer, civic chair, youth chair, and publicity chair. “Being able to have this event again feels like a breath of fresh air.”
Nearly all of the members of the NHGC attend the May Market with many contributing to the perennial sale, which is the event’s highlight. Golia noted that the wide variety of perennials are dug and divided from members’ gardens with most offered for $5.
“We get quite a few repeat customers every year because of the affordability of getting perennial for $5—that’s an awesome price,” said Golia. “Every plant also comes with a label with its name, height, sun/shade requirements, and more.”
In addition to the perennials offered by NHGC members, there will be annuals, tomato plants, and herbs available for purchase. A master gardener will be at the event to answer questions from customers about different plants and where they will thrive.
There will also be a variety of vendors who Golia said “are anxious to sell their wares after not being able to attend events in the past year. Vendors include L-Bri Pure & Natural Skin & Body Care by Tina Turchak; Millfarm Creations with wooden farmhouse decor by Lauren Kowalewski; Usborne Books & more by Cyndi Arsenault; fake potted plants by Dana Ballard; handmade wall decor, resin nightlights, car charms, handmade resin decor by Sheri Russell-Dupont; Fix & Feed with raffle baskets; carved garden stones by George Wooster; M & C with henna tattoos; painted pots by Poonam Karnwal; From Rox to Riches with painted stones by Susan Weyel; decorative and functional pottery by Nancy Scilipote; Little Bird Soap LLC by Joanna Teodosio; Pampered Chef by Judy Bernay; Jewels by Gillie with Paparazzi Accessories by Susan Obier-Pfeiffer; Meadow Walk LLC with homemade jams; natural decorations for the home by Donna Terrell; and Rays Raw Honey by Ray Sola.
The NHGC will also staff a booth to share information about the club, which is always seeking new members. The NHGC tends to about a dozen gardens throughout the community on town-owned properties.
The NHGC meets on the second Thursday of the month. In the past, the club met throughout the year, but with the onset of COVID, it has been meeting outdoors in the afternoons.
“We did try some virtual meetings, but attendance was sporadic,” said Golia. “Last month we were able to hold our first outdoor meeting of the year and have started gathering in small groups to get the gardens going and preparing them for spring. We’re all still a little COVID shocked, but we’re getting there.”
Golia also noted that most of the members have been vaccinated. Even still and with the outdoor event, she and other members will continue to wear masks and maintain social distance, encouraging the public to do the same.
“The funds raised from this event support all of our plantings, civic activities, speakers for monthly meetings, scholarships, purchasing what we need to keep the club going, and donations we make to things such as the library spelling bee and town functions,” said Golia. “This is our club’s biggest annual fundraiser.”
For information on the event or joining the NHGC, email nhgccindy@yahoo.com.