View from the Window: the Millers share their love of gardening

By Guest Columnist Sherrye Lacour and Wanda Baldwin

 

Although the rain kept Canton Garden Club members from taking the planned tour of Judy and Johnny Miller’s beautiful property, we were able to see much of their labor of love in photos Judy had recently taken. However, we were so inspired by the photos that we just had to go see it in person. 

Judy and Johnny purchased the unimproved property in 2001 and immediately built a picket-fenced garden for a place to move plants from their existing home. For two years, they designed and built their new house, taking care to include views of the surrounding property from as many points in the home and on the porches as possible. They started the grounds improvements in 2003 and still continue to make additions to them. Paths weave throughout the property with beautiful beds, sitting areas, and a potting shed constructed of old windows with a lovely herb garden in front. 

The entire family has contributed to this work in progress. Their son made signs designating the potting shed/greenhouse as a “Secure,” or sanctuary in French, and the garden area as a “Potegar,” or French garden with both flowers and herbs. While there for a holiday visit, family members were given bulbs and told to plant them wherever they wanted. The result was surprises everywhere! 

We look forward to future visits to see additions to these beautiful gardens. 

Be sure to check out the Canton Square. The Garden Club has planted hundreds of spring bulbs, which are now in full bloom. On March 26, Canton Garden Club/Keep Mississippi Beautiful spearheaded efforts to spruce up not only the square, but the entrances to the City of Canton, picking up litter, pulling weeds, and mulching beds. The City of Canton Police and Public Works Departments, as well as Aldermen Layfayette Wells, Tim Taylor, and Fred Esco, were on site to provide much needed support and assistance, keeping workers safe and disposing of bags and bags of debris. Other participants were the Canton Tourism Beautification Committee, Canton Lions Club, 100 Black Men, Grace Episcopal Church, Center Terrace Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Doak’s Treaty Chapter DAR, W.A.I.T., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Thornton Chapel United Methodist Church. Passers-by were very complimentary of the improvements, and our hope is that this will instill pride in the community and help stem the litter problem. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sherrye Lacour is a native to Canton and graduated from Canton Academy in 1972. She moved to Madison in 1985, and then returned to Canton about five years ago. Lacour loves gardening, and her passion stems from Green Thumbs Garden Club in grammar school, as well as a mother who loves growing flowers and vegetables. Wanda Baldwin is a native Cantonian who recently retired from Vertex Aerospace as Executive Assistant to the President. Lacour and Baldwin are sisters.