A founding member of the Library Garden Group, Aurore LaMarche, is shown releasing one of the monarchs in the library’s butterfly garden, newly weeded and mulched by the volunteer gardeners.
A founding member of the Library Garden Group, Aurore LaMarche, is shown releasing one of the monarchs in the library’s butterfly garden, newly weeded and mulched by the volunteer gardeners. Credit: Submitted photo

ATHOL — A new Garden Group (Weeding Club) has been formed at the Athol Public Library and is welcoming new members. There are still a few sections available for “adoption” and maintenance on these sections can be done anytime at the convenience of the volunteer. Tools are available at the library if needed.

Members of the Garden Group will meet again as a group on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. to share ideas, questions, and refreshments.

The library’s gardens include a certified Monarch Waystation and 12 Monarch butterflies have been tagged, recorded, and released so far this year. Paul McNiff, volunteer and retired science teacher, obtained the Monarch Waystation certification last summer and has organized the butterfly-friendly gardens, given tagging instruction, and supplied caterpillars and other supplies for the project.