Hi Reg! A couple of suggestions.

1. You'll meet lots of green thumbs at Maine Garden Day April 16th. 1-800-287-1458 is the number for info. When you call, you might want to ask if the Master Gardeners are doing anything that you could join in on. I haven't been to meetings recently so I don't know what they're doing lately.

2. A good club around here is the Maine Iris Society. Many of the iris growers are interested in all kinds of flowers. Ted White, for example, is an expert hosta and daylily breeder.

Here is a link that might be useful: Maine iris society

Welcome!

I think hanging out right here at GW, your choice 24-7.
You got experts to beginners on the forums on most every subject.
I am not familar with your area, but we have several garden clubs, some are more social than staying on topic, but overall a guest speaker usually attends and gives a lecture on a specific topic.

Could you find a part time job at a nursery that may need an extra hand just for the Spring and Summer, so you could learn names and care of plants?