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The Kingston Garden Club has been busy keeping Kingston beautiful! The Kingston Garden Club, although young in years, is a member of the state and national federation of garden clubs. Patricia Doane, one of two co-presidents, (the other president being Diane Davis) was available for comment. 

" We have all types of gardeners. We have vegetable gardeners, tree gardeners, flower gardeners, etc. there is a wonderful balance," said Doane.

According to Doane, there have been several areas in need of a face-lift, one of them being the Kingston Post office. Doane said, " Focal areas should be beautiful." 
According to Doane, the Garden Club meets at the Faunce School here in Kingston. " The fire laws limit the amount of people that can meet at one time or another, but we have a wonderful group," said Doane. The club just recently had their annual meeting at the Lauring barn, " You know, card tables, coffee - we did our own decorating as well," said Doane. The club also is responsible for raising it's own funds. The club has an annual plant and bake sale to help with the fund raising. Shauna Stone, the last person to hold office as president, was a great asset to the club. " She is a wonderful person and has the ability to organize independent people," said Doane. 

Doane said," Whenever we create a beauty spot, we always get permission from the appropriate personnel here in Kingston. A beauty spot is like a good piece of music." When asked about the club members, Doane responded this way," There is a tremendous amount of talent in the group. Every member counts, like a puzzle piece. Once you finish a large jigsaw puzzle, you really notice if one of the pieces is missing when you're finished." 

"We have gracious, hospitable, wonderful people. It makes for good memories," Doane said. " It's one of those activities that you do that keeps growing. You may plant a tree, but the fruition will be there in thirty years. That spells for some real ongoingness! It's one little thing we can do to spread the knowledge of Horticulture in the world." 

Doane said, "We are not Pulitzer Prize winners, but we try to make a difference in our little corner of the earth." The Kingston Garden Club also helps sponsor scholarship winners through the scholarship program, which is funded by the federation. This past year, the Kingston Garden Club helped sponsor a young person who is majoring in Under Sea Gardening! When the Kingstoners pay their dues, they play a key part in the contributionary efforts of all associated garden clubs in the country. Many of the garden clubs members are also active in other phases of Kingston life. Doane says that she does all she can to help contribute to the delightful group," It will take years to accomplish the things we would like to do for our town," said Doane.

According to Joyce Digiovanni, the groups vice president elect and chairman of the adopt-a-space program, there are twenty different sights around Kingston, which are maintained by loving volunteers. While the Kingston community garden program maintains the post office and the Kingston police dept. "We send letters to the people who have been responsible for spaces in the past in hopes of a renewal of interest, otherwise we will place an ad in the local paper to let people know of a spaces availability," said Digiovanni. "At the end of the season we send a letter of appreciation, along with a certificate of appreciation to all those involved in the program." 

The Kingston town green's parcel is maintained by the Boy scouts, as well as the plot across from Bickford's. The Girl scouts maintain the plot located at 27 and 106. Janet Valla maintains the Grove street parcel, while some of the other contributors remain anonymous. Joyce Digiovanni has maintained her space for eight years now. "The water department has supplied water to nearly every plot in town and the highway department has kept up with the grass. It's a wonderful community effort!" says Digiovanni. "Our goal is to make Kingston look nice in hopes that people will catch on," Digiovanni said. 

Well, it looks like it's working! Kingston looks beautiful. Thank you to all the Garden Club members and residents of Kingston who make an effort to help beautify our surroundings and make this town such a delightful place to live!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Folks keep stealing those little wood marker signs the Kingston Garden Club has been putting up to identify projects and volunteers maintaining plots around town. We know the signs are 'cute' but they are also expensive to replace. Pass the word and help keep the signs where they belong. Thanks.