By the Scott and Sunny Townsend Team
Quintessential summertime Maine can be found in the small moments: lobster boats in the harbor, beach roses along the shore, and roadside farm stands. At Higgins Beach, Home Sweet Higgins flower stand is one such treasure, rooted in remembrance and community.
Operating on the honor system, Home Sweet Higgins offers a simple invitation to slow down and savor the season. Neighbors and visitors can stop by to select a bouquet of freshly cut, organically grown flowers. With vases of blooms, a cash box, and a rough-hewn wood stand, Home Sweet Higgins captures the timeless charm of summertime in Maine.
The stand began in memory of Kelly Valdmanis’s mother-in-law, Sandra. Each summer, Kelly grew enough flowers to create weekly bouquets for her. Since Sandra lived only a short distance away at Higgins Beach, her grandsons often delivered the flowers, turning a simple gesture into a cherished family tradition.
When Sandra passed away in 2024, Kelly found herself with an abundance of flowers. After finding a tool bench on Facebook Marketplace and pairing it with a patio umbrella, Home Sweet Higgins came to life. What started as a way to honor Sandra’s memory quickly became a beloved neighborhood fixture.
Today, Home Sweet Higgins offers a limited number of bouquets each day. A portion of every sale is donated to causes that are meaningful to Kelly’s family, including the Tri for a Cure Cancer Fundraiser and other charitable organizations. In that way, each bouquet does more than brighten a home; it helps support the community while keeping Sandra’s spirit blooming along the shores of Higgins Beach.
At Home Sweet Higgins, nature sets the schedule. The seasonal flower stand is open on sunny days and stocked with whatever fresh blooms the garden has to offer. When the bouquets are gone, the rain rolls in, or the garden is resting, the stand takes a pause, too. You’ll find it at 43 Ocean Avenue, Higgins Beach, right next to the town parking lot.
Many thanks to Scott and Sunny Townsend for keeping Scarborough Living readers up to date on the happenings at Higgins Beach.
