Director: MRS. ROLAND S. SALSBURY, Ellsworth Falls.
The St. Croix District comprising Hancock and Washington Counties was founded in 1938 with 12 clubs. Since that time we have lost four and founded two, making a total of ten, all in Hancock County.
Special stress is being placed on re-organization of these inactive clubs, and founding new ones. We have a membership of 540. Membership does not de- termine the club activities. Some of the most worthwhile projects are carried on yearly by the small clubs. Example: Franklin Club with 20 members donated 100% to the Permanent Home Fund.
Two meetings are held each year. A registration fee of 50c is now requested, giving us ample funds to defray necessary expenses.
We placed a Blue Star Memorial Marker in Sullivan. The dedication cere- mony was held October 1, 1952, with Senator William Silsby as a speaker from the State Department. I feel we should place one in Washington County and since Route 1 now goes across the Waldo-Hancock Bridge there should be one at the entrance in Verona, where a Picnic Area has been established. This is work for the coming year.
In 1955 every club donated to the Lilac Memorial Hedge at National Cemetery in Togus, Maine.
The subscriptions to the National Gardener have in- creased greatly since members are realizing the value of this Bulletin to promote Garden Club work.
A District Workshop will be held in Ellsworth the latter part of June with a competent instructor.
New Bird and Junior Nature Clubs are being organized. Perennial flowers will be planted by the roadside where new highway cuts have been made.
The District meeting on May 17, 1956, at Bar Harbor will feature Club Presidents and District Committees reports; Blue Star Memorial Highways; Spring Flower Arrangements by Mrs. Laurence C. Andrew of Portland, and our President, Mrs. Milton Blackwell.
We cannot live on past achievements, may we ever be alert for new opportunities to better serve our Community, District and State.