A walk through the green foliage of the McLaughlin Garden & Horticultural Center is like taking a step back in “thyme.”
The secluded acreage off commercial Main Street in South Paris recalls a simple nostalgia where visitors can quietly reflect amid the backdrop of late gardener Bernard McLaughlin’s farmhouse, rustic barn and lush wooden landscape.
A variety of cultural programs are scheduled weekly throughout the summer months. Mark your calendar for the evening of July 12 for Cut Thyme, a night of music and rhyme, featuring seasoned poets blending with the harmony of the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
Another notable event is the Painting a Maine Garden workshop offered June 21. Under the casual guidance of local artistic virtuosos, participants are welcome to hone their creativity with pastels, watercolors and oil. Children’s activities are also offered. Following the informal classes, all are invited to mingle with the artists for an afternoon tea.
Capture the simplicity and stillness of the garden with photographers Jeff Korte, Jane Page-Conway and Chris Pinchbeck on Aug. 16 as they showcase black and white prints and demonstrate their pinhole cameras. Lunch reservations will be taken for the Garden in Black & White symposium.
The garden and grounds are open daily from 9 to 5. Day and evening guided tours for groups and individuals are welcome and last about 90 minutes. Before or after your turn through the garden, a seat in the sunny Tea Room is the perfect place to pause for a light refreshment. Lunch is served Wed.-Sat., 11-4, with a menu that boasts a variety of gourmet quiches, salads, sandwiches, soups and assorted desserts. A final stop at the gift shop is a lovely way to end your visit.
Dozens of other events, including plant and flower sales, are posted on the foundation’s Web site, www.mclaughlingarden.org or by calling 207-743-8820. Some programs require pre-registration and a small fee to participate.
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