Communities in Bloom off to a good start

On April 14, the Windsor “Communities in Bloom” (CIB) program held its first meeting at Utata Gallery and Art Centre, from which emerged a committee of 14 enthusiastic volunteers. On May 3, the CIB program received valuable exposure by tagging along as part of the town’s annual Downtown Cleanup, and on Wednesday evening, May 20, it will be the beneficiary at the opening of Utata’s latest show, “Secret Garden.”

Sponsored by Avon Valley Floral, which has generously donated the plants, “Secret Garden” will help kick start the Communities in Bloom program by offering a free plant to everyone who attends the opening night. “Avon Valley has been so fabulous and the artists have been so generous for this show,” said Utata’s Catherine Jamieson, who expects this to be “the best show yet” for the gallery. “We have Guenter Burr poppies and David Howells gardens. We have garden sculptures and silk kimonos. We'll have an incredible selection of prints and cards and smaller items so that everyone can take home a little of the Communities in Bloom spirit.”

Communities in Bloom is a national, volunteer-based, non-profit program that fosters civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation and the challenge of national competition. It awards Bloom Ratings for achievement in the areas of floral displays, landscapes, turf, urban forestry, community involvement, heritage, conservation, environmental awareness and tidiness.

On Saturday, May 23, the Windsor Farmers Market at Waterside Windsor will open for another season, and CIB volunteers will be on hand with seedlings and raffle tickets for a Guenter Burr print. Then, on Wednesday, May 27 at 7 pm, the Windsor CIB committee will hold a meeting at the Utata Gallery, 40 Water Street in Windsor, to discuss ideas and plans in which to engage the Windsor community with more activities. Anyone with an interest in gardening, ideas for a CIB event/activity or skills to dedicate toward this worthwhile local initiative are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Communities in Bloom co-chairs Liz Galbraith, 798-5599, or Catherine Jamieson, 792-2710.