Salem Friendship and Garden Club Fosters Small Town Community Spirit

Community spirit is the heartbeat of small towns across the country. Neighbors aren’t just people that live nearby – they’re friends and caretakers of shared traditions and public spaces. Community spirit creates a sense of belonging where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. It turns strangers into neighbors and neighbors into friends.

From town forests and rail trails to community gardens and local landmarks, small towns rally around their public spaces. The Salem Friendship and Garden Club has been working hard to foster a small-town community spirit. For us, it isn’t just a civic duty that motivates us; it’s a way of life. Whether it’s planting flowers or organizing a fun group activity, our goal is to create a sense of belonging where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. We’re turning strangers into friends.

When asked about what brought her to SFGC, new member Judi Hayden said, “I needed more opportunities for fun-filled interactions and potential connections with a broader range of people. I have read numerous articles on SFGC in the local newspapers over the past year. Coupling the friendship component of the garden club with the beautification of my new town seemed like a perfect answer to what I sought, so I attended the May monthly meeting and immediately became a member. I have felt welcomed and included (with no pressure) in a very short time, and, yes, there has been a lot of laughter and fun, and it is gratifying.”

Please join us at our next monthly meeting on Monday, October 20, at 12:00 p.m. at the Derry-Salem Elks, 39 Shadow Lake Road, Salem, NH, to learn more about us. You can also check us out on our website at https://sfgc-nh.org/. Feel free to bring a friend!