Monarch garden plaque dedicated in memory of Suenell Steele

Georgetown officials and members of the Georgetown Arts & Flowers organization came together July 13, at Wilson Park on East Market Street to dedicate a plaque to the late Suenell Steele, whose vision inspired the creation of a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary at the park.

Steele, who passed away in 2021, was a guiding member of the Georgetown Arts & Flowers organization and had experience raising monarch butterflies as one of her many interests. Upon learning that the butterflies were being deemed an endangered species, she began her journey of establishing a sanctuary for them at Wilson Park. With the help of town officials, plant donations from Jim Passwaters of Sussex County Landscaping and hard work by volunteers of Arts & Flowers, the park became a reality. Plantings that are attractive to monarch butterflies, such as Joe Pye weed, milkweed, goldenrod, ironweed, bee balm, honeysuckle and coneflowers were planted at the park. Wilson Park has emerged as a nature reserve welcoming butterflies and providing a safe and visually attractive reserve for all.

Steele’s passion - whether music, animal rescue or gardening - has had an infectious effect on the members of Georgetown Arts & Flowers. Her work will be enjoyed by many in the years to come. Special thanks are extended to Louise Skerrett, president of Arts & Flowers; Christel Folke of Delaware Tech; Gordon Mariner, who was instrumental in procuring the dedication plaque; Bob Holston, for his kind words during the dedication; the Georgetown Public Works Department, for their continued efforts in maintaining the park; Gene Dvornick, Georgetown town manager; and Bill West, Georgetown mayor.