Elkins Veterans Garden
Meet Maggie: The Heart of the Elkins Veterans Garden
Alfi Anderson, president
Washington County Master Gardeners
In the heart of Elkins, Arkansas, nestled among blooms and butterflies, stands a beloved figure who has become the soul of our Veterans Garden. Her name is Margret America, “Maggie” for short. Margret America was my fifth great-grandmother’s name and we found it a fitting name for our garden lady in the Veterans Garden.
This special garden is one part of our sanctioned projects in Elkins, created to honor and remember our veterans. It is a space of beauty, peace, and reflection—a place where gratitude is planted, nurtured, and grown. It is our privilege to help beautify this space by donating our time and energy, knowing that each hour spent weeding, planting, or watering is a heartfelt tribute to those who served.
Maggie has become the garden’s most recognizable and beloved feature. She didn’t begin as the fully adorned figure she is today—in fact, she started with just a mop for a head. But like the garden around her, she has blossomed over the years. Now, she gets a wardrobe change every season, dressed in creative, festive outfits that reflect the time of year and bring delight to visitors young and old.
More than just decoration, Maggie is a symbol of our community’s heart. She sparks conversations, brings smiles, and provides comfort to all who pass her way. Children are drawn to her, veterans are honored by her presence, and neighbors often gather around her, sharing stories, laughter, and companionship.
Our Veterans Garden is not only a place to honor those who served—it’s also where friendships are formed, community is strengthened, and joy is cultivated. Maggie stands as a beautiful reminder that remembering the past can be a vibrant, living experience. We are proud to have her at the heart of our garden in Elkins, where she continues to inspire, uplift, and connect us all.
Maggie through the Seasons
Click on a photo for a closer look!
Meet Maggie: The Heart of the Elkins Veterans Garden
Alfi Anderson, president
Washington County Master Gardeners
In the heart of Elkins, Arkansas, nestled among blooms and butterflies, stands a beloved figure who has become the soul of our Veterans Garden. Her name is Margret America, “Maggie” for short. Margret America was my fifth great-grandmother’s name and we found it a fitting name for our garden lady in the Veterans Garden.
This special garden is one part of our sanctioned projects in Elkins, created to honor and remember our veterans. It is a space of beauty, peace, and reflection—a place where gratitude is planted, nurtured, and grown. It is our privilege to help beautify this space by donating our time and energy, knowing that each hour spent weeding, planting, or watering is a heartfelt tribute to those who served.
Maggie has become the garden’s most recognizable and beloved feature. She didn’t begin as the fully adorned figure she is today—in fact, she started with just a mop for a head. But like the garden around her, she has blossomed over the years. Now, she gets a wardrobe change every season, dressed in creative, festive outfits that reflect the time of year and bring delight to visitors young and old.
More than just decoration, Maggie is a symbol of our community’s heart. She sparks conversations, brings smiles, and provides comfort to all who pass her way. Children are drawn to her, veterans are honored by her presence, and neighbors often gather around her, sharing stories, laughter, and companionship.
Our Veterans Garden is not only a place to honor those who served—it’s also where friendships are formed, community is strengthened, and joy is cultivated. Maggie stands as a beautiful reminder that remembering the past can be a vibrant, living experience. We are proud to have her at the heart of our garden in Elkins, where she continues to inspire, uplift, and connect us all.
Maggie through the Seasons
Click on a photo for a closer look!
