Issue Seven Spring 2021

décorate their doorways or garden gates for the season. It
was always held on the first Sunday in May, and, only fresh
plant material was to be used. A list of entries was made
available at the Nahant Public Library, so the viewing public
would know which homes and buildings to visit. A committee
judged the entries and blue, red and yellow ribbons
were awarded for the top three displays. In recent years, the
event has been held on various Sundays in May and has
been expanded to include town-wide participation and not
just Nahant Garden Club members.”
Several years ago, the event attracted regional visibility
when “Yankee Magazine” published a story on “May Doorways.”
A picture of former long-time resident Martha Keller
at her front gate appeared alongside the article.
While the Garden Club has held various fundraising tours
over the years (such as the “Holiday House Tour” and the
“Fall Porches Tour”), as always, there is no cost to participate
in or attend the “May Doorways” event. “After being
holed up for months on end, we consider ‘May Doorways’ a
funraiser, not a fundraiser!” declares Bonin.
“From novices to those with a proverbial ‘green thumb,’ we
encourage anyone with an interest to participate,” says Hamill.
This event really is about fun and community. We even
have students from the Johnson Elementary School who
will be making and decorating wreaths as an art project
for some of the Town’s municipal buildings, as well as the
Nahant Community Center, under the guidance of Nahant
Garden Club Past President and Art teacher, Diana Brandi.”
Hamill adds, “The event is about merry-making, creativity,
and whimsy. But we also want residents to know that
‘May Doorways’ will be held with safeguards, such as encouraging
residents to engage in a drive-by, if possible, or,
when the door or entry-way is not easily seen from the road,
participants are asked to wear masks and to stand at least
six-feet apart from people outside of their party, during the
viewings.”
Further elaborating on the natural materials which the Garden
Club stipulates decorators should incorporate in their
designs, Hamill says that branches, flowers, twigs, greens,
driftwood, moss, dried flowers, vines, succulents and edibles
are examples of appropriate materials. Hamill suggests
that participants might find many of the natural materials in
their own yards, as they cut back their plantings in preparation
for the new growth that accompanies the spring and
summer growing seasons.
Bonin heeds a warning to adhere to the rules, while reminiscing
about learning the hard way. “The first Sunday in
May 1986 was a bitter, cold day. I had purchased roses for
my doorway. Deciding it was too cold to put the roses outside,
I made an error in judgment by using plastic flowers
instead. I was disqualified, and learned my lesson. But I
made a come-back in the 1990 competition, when I won
the blue ribbon.”
“May Doorways” will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021,
from 10 am to 5 pm. Participants must use only natural
plant materials. To register and be included on the map of
locations, please contact Program Chair Suzanne Hamill
via e-mail (nahantmom@aol.com) before April 15, 2021. A
brief description of plant materials being used is desired,
but not required. The tour map will be made available prior
to May 2 on Facebook. If you would like a copy of the map
e-mailed to you once it becomes available, please contact either
Ellen Antrim (ellenantrim@gmail.com) or Peg Curran
(pcurran612@gmail.com).
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