Today, on Gold Star Family Day, we pause to honor and remember the families who have lost loved ones in service to our nation. Their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the true cost of freedom.

The Crofton Village Garden Club was honored to be a co-sponsor of the Gold Star Memorial Marker, dedicated last November at the main entrance of the Crofton community. This memorial pays tribute to the families who carry the legacy of their fallen heroes and ensures their loved ones’ service and sacrifice are never forgotten.
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As we recognize Gold Star Family Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to these families and reaffirm our commitment to preserving their memory here in Crofton.

On May 1st, we celebrate the arrival of spring with the timeless tradition of May Day. One of the most charming customs associated with this day is the creation of May baskets—small bundles of flowers or treats, often placed on doorsteps to share a bit of seasonal joy and beauty.

Crofton Village Garden Club members embrace this tradition each year by adorning their own homes with festive baskets of fresh flowers and greenery. These cheerful displays celebrate the season of renewal and reflect the club’s love of gardening, beauty, and community spirit. 

Whether hanging from a front door or displayed on a porch, these seasonal baskets add a touch of charm and color to the home. By continuing this tradition, Crofton Village Garden Club members celebrate the simple beauty of spring and honor the joy found in long-standing customs.

We invite members of the community to join us in this cheerful tradition—add a basket to your front door or porch and help spread the beauty of May Day throughout Crofton!

The dedication ceremony for the Gold Star Memorial, held on Sunday, November 10, was a poignant tribute to the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Sponsored by the Crofton Village Garden Club, Crofton Greenery Garden Club, and the greater Crofton community, the event took place along Route 3 North, near the entrance to the community. Attendees included local Gold Star families, community members, and dignitaries, all gathered to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in active military service.
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Gold Star families are defined as families who have experienced the loss of an immediate family member due to military service. The memorial not only recognizes the sacrifice of the service members but also acknowledges the profound grief and ongoing healing of their loved ones. This ceremony served as a reminder of the legacy of courage and sacrifice, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who have lost so much in defense of their country.

It was a beautiful day to celebrate Earth Day at Linthicum Walks. Led by Project Chair Nancy Percivall, CVGC members, TLC (The Linthicum Crew) and members of the community worked on sprucing up the new Snow Drop Nature Trail. Thank you to Nancy for organizing the event and providing snacks and to CVGC members Laura Austin, JoAnn Cook, Trish Demers, Nancy Durose, Cindy Hare, Littany Hollerbach, Rosa Johnson, Sally Moore and Angela Wetzel for making this Earth Day event a success!

At the January 10th monthly Crofton Kiwanis Club membership meeting presentation at the Crofton Library, attendees learned about a local program to purchase and install a Gold Star Memorial on Route 3 near the main entrance to the community. The location will be near the site of the Crofton Kiwanis Foundation's twice annual display of U.S. "Flags for Heroes".

The memorial project is in celebration of Crofton's 60th Anniversary, and jointly coordinated by the Crofton Village Garden Club and the Crofton Greenery Garden Club. The name Gold Star is from the custom of families of service members hanging U.S. wartime service flags in their home windows, bearing blue stars for a family's living armed forces members and gold stars for deceased military members.

The current objective is to dedicate a 7-foot high Gold Star Memorial inscribed marker next to the Crofton main entrance in a ceremony on Sunday afternoon, November 10, 2024, in honor of Veteran's Day.

​Shown in the photograph above are Marcia Richard, Chair of Crofton’s Gold Star Memorial Committee; and Committee Co-Chair and Crofton Civic Association President Anna O’Kelly, each holding Kiwanis' "Crofton 60th Anniversary" gift mugs; along with Crofton Kiwanis President Mike Pierre and Crofton Kiwanis Club Vice President and Program Chair Renee Mackey.