The CBGC has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the Principal Financial Group Historic Gardens Project and these funds will be used to enhance and create gardens on the Montgomery Village Green/Common, with emphasis on the Veteran's memorial plinth and flagpole. The National Garden Clubs, Inc. established the grant program under the sponsorship of the Principal Financial Group to enhance gardens at historic sites in communities across the nation. The project will be supported by matching funds / donations from the Town of Montgomery, the American Legion, individuals, and various groups in the community. The CBGC was one of only three Vermont clubs to receive grant money from this national competition, so we were very lucky. Work will begin soon and is scheduled for completion in 2005. We would really welcome any additional contributions from any sector of the community, and please feel free to participate!!!!!!!!

The Rational for the Design

  The Village Green is in the shape of a triangle. Contained within it is a Veteran's memorial. These was erected in 1991 by the Legion and local volunteers and was under-planted in the shape of a triangle with three coniferous shrubs. In each corner of the triangle three benches were placed together with a half circle of concrete. One has a crabapple tree planted behind it, one a birch tree, and the third is without a tree.

  This Project is designed to enhance the fact that the Village Green is triangles within triangles, within triangles. Behind the bench that presently lacks a tree we will plant another flowering crabapple, thus balancing this particular triangle. To emphasize symmetry, five flower beds will be located around the elms, crabapples and birch trees. These flower beds will protect the trees and facilitate mowing. The sixth bed which surrounds the memorial will continue to be in the shape of a triangle and will have brightly colored shrubs. These low lying shrubs plus the bulbs and perennials planted within this bed are designed to draw the eye to this feature which at the present time gets "lost." In the design we are going to install landscape up-lighting which will highlight both the memorial and flag, and in addition, the two beautiful full grown maples.

  We will continue to have our six abundant flowering barrels that we plant each year. Once the new plantings are in place, we anticipate it being a visual delight to drive into the Village from all directions!