The Talbot County Garden Club has awarded one of its 2026 Project Grants to the creation of a memorial garden in the front of the Talbot County Free Library’s St. Michaels Branch on South Talbot Street.
Flanking the front entrance to the St. Michaels Branch Library, this garden promises an array of hardy native plants, perennials, year-round development and visual interest through strategic design and planting by Garden Club members, Virginia Sappington and Anne Jelich.
Jelich shared, “This garden will also bring birds and hummingbirds to the area with the pollinators we are planning. Everything will be low maintenance with lots of color.”
Sappington added,” We know that this will be a very peaceful way to enter the library, and we hope to educate people with the choices of plants as well.”
It was these two women who proposed the project itself, as a tribute to the late John Jelich, who was a treasured volunteer, then library staff member for many years. Anne, John’s beloved wife, recalled that, “The library was John’s happy place. He loved the people, and loved his work so much.” A voracious reader, John was also known for sitting outside to read, often with multiple books in hand. His memorial garden will be equipped with a bench to foster such experiences for the community that John loved so much.
St. Michaels Branch Library Manager, Shauna Beulah, shared that “John was a wonderful Library Associate and a notary, a library ambassador…out in the community and always had a book recommendation. Because of John’s ties to the area, he contributed to our programming. He brought people together, and brought people into the library. We miss him very, very much.” Nearly every Monday morning, he would bring a bouquet of flowers for both staff and patrons to enjoy.
The project will be implemented by Garden Design of Easton, and the ongoing maintenance will be covered by library staff and the Town of St. Michaels. To ensure a thriving garden, the installation of an irrigation system is included in the project grant.
The memorial garden will be a part of the newly renovated building and grounds of the popular public library. The Talbot County Free Library’s St. Michaels Branch will celebrate its Grand Opening March 21, from 10am – 2pm. Landscaping will likely continue through the spring season.
The Talbot County Garden Club (TCGC) Project Grants program is a vital component to the Club’s larger mission. Grants are awarded to proposals for viable projects which will benefit the community, contribute to civic beautification, provide educational advancement and support the environment. Project Grants program chair, Colleen Doremus, notes that this is an opportunity TCGC is proud to offer. “It’s really nice to give back to the community that provides so much support to the Garden Club. It’s especially nice to do a project like this in St. Michaels.”
TCGC introduced its Project Grants program in 2022. Since then, the program has supported development, design and execution of greenery and benches along the Rail Trail Extension in Easton, plantings to decorate both the frontage of the U.S. Post Office on Dover Road and the grounds of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and a re-landscaping project of the rectory garden at Christ Church on South Street at Harrison Street. Funding for the grant program is provided by TCGC fundraising efforts such as the bi-annual Symposium and the annual sale of handmade holiday wreaths and garlands.
A renovation of the plantings around the Easton Railroad Station between Dover and Goldsborough Streets was also approved by TCGC for its 2026 Project Grants Program. The work for the Rail Station project is also planned for this spring.
For additional information, visit talbotcountygc.org.
One Response
Love this, Wheels!