2nd Annual Seldovia Garden Tour Begins by Honoring Midge Gruber

by Suzie Stranik

Last Sunday, Aug 19th Thyme on the Boardwalk hosted the 2nd annual Seldovia Garden Tour.  We met at the library at 1pm.  John and Susie Gruber joined us as we placed a plaque at the base of Midge Gruber’s memorial tree planted in 1984 in her honor.  The plaque was made by Bill Schorr two years ago and was just adhered to a stake this summer by Tom Keesecker.  The plaque was a gift of the Seldovia Chamber of Commerce.

The group toured four gardens in town:  Sunni Hilts container gardens featuring red cascade begonias, Mary Ann Driscoll’s perennial flowers, Mary Klinger’s vegetable garden, Suzie Stranik’s vegetable garden, and the many beautiful gardens along Main Street.  Thyme on the Boardwalk served hot cider, halibut salad, and Brittany style shortbread cookies.  The tour then continued out the road to visit the vegetable gardens of Erin McKittrick and Glen Chartier.  Although rain was forecast, the day was sunny and warm and much information and inspiration was exchanged.

The Seldovia Garden Club is hosting a guest speaker this Saturday, August 25th at the Stranik residence on the old boardwalk.  Teena Garay, a master gardener and landscape consultant from Homer will do a presentation on perennial companion plantings.  Her garden has a collection of unusual circumpolar plants not seen elsewhere in Alaska.  Please join us at 4:30pm for an inspirational power point presentation with time for questions.  Membership dues will be collected.  Basic $15, Supporting $20, Business $25.  These fees cover transportation costs of our speakers.  We will also have a September guest speaker.