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We
entered the CiB program in 2004 at the non-competitive level. The City of Melfort
paid our $300 registration fee and gave us $5,000 to get started. 'Adopt-a-Planter'
program was launched. Our expectations were tripled when, in two weeks, we had
150 planters adopted by the businesses! Placing the planters inside the curling
rink on the cement floor was a huge benefit as we were able to drill holes,
load them with soil and plant without worrying about bad weather. Another fundraiser
was a barbeque on Main Street at the Home Hardware store. The area around our
wooden water tower was cleaned up, trees trimmed and grass mowed. Presentations
explaining what Communities in Bloom is all about were given to service clubs
and a school advisory group. 2004 was a great 'learning' year. |
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In
2005, the City once again paid our registration fee and gave us $5,000 to help
us with our projects. We continued with the planter program. Two classrooms
from Reynolds Central School asked if they could come and help us plant. They
had great fun planting, and we had fun teaching. To further include the public
schools we gave each of them three gallons of paint (red, blue and yellow) to
paint on litter barrels. Their creativity was on display at our barbeque in
the park and are now being used at the school grounds, ball diamonds and playgrounds.
Sask Tel Pioneers asked to 'adopt' the Water Tower Park and they have really
increased the curb appeal of that area. |
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Thirty
banners were purchased and old worn out banners were replaced. We provided financial
assistance to one neighborhood after they built and planted a huge flowerbed
in the centre of their crescent. A very successful self guided Garden Tour was
held with a $10 charge for a garden pass and map. The proceeds of over $500
was donated to the Cancer Society. Yard of the Week was started as our countdown
to the judges coming. One yard from six different areas was chosen each week,
based on their front yard curb appeal. A picture of their yard was placed in
the Melfort Journal. Everyone loved it and we have seen improvement in people's
yards as the 'spirit' of the program spreads. We achieved a 4 Bloom rating and
Provincial Winner status for our population category of 5,001-10,000. |
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In
2006, the City granted us another $5,000 out of which we paid the registration
fee and bought a park bench and litter receptacle for a future 'pocket park'.
We continued with the planter program and were involved in the planning and
development of Memorial Gardens. Another successful Garden Tour was held, Yard
of the Week continued and Business of the Week was started. We continue to encourage
the business and the residential sector to clean up their space and be more
environmentally responsible. The awareness of the program and its benefits are
seen, talked about and felt throughout the whole year not just in the summer
time. Our committee has varied from 8-10 people, one of which is a city alderman
and Melfort's Park and Recreation Facility Manager. We achieved a 4 Bloom rating
and Provincial Winner status for our population category of 5,001-10,000. |
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As
of June 30th, 2007 we have had lots of fun and excitement again this year. The
weather proved to be a real challenge with our planters this spring but they
are now out and with all things considered, 'blooming' lovely! The public schools
collected 4 litre milk jugs, the Melfort Journal donated CiB stickers and those
adopting planters were given their very own special 'watering' jug which is
attributing to the beauty of the planters. One school is creating an outdoor
classroom, another had their grade three class plant flowers in their CiB planters
and the high school took pictures of their students planting in their park.
More and more people are becoming involved either at the volunteer level for
our projects are in their 'own' space which benefits all. A student in grade
seven choose to do an essay on CiB. As he said "one time I helped plant
the flowers that were on Main Street and I thought that was really neat".
Volunteers shared some of their perennials to be planted in neglected flowerbeds.
The Memorial Garden is complete. A new pocket park was created in an empty lot
on Main Street and the city has created a thirteen by seventy foot (easement)
strip along Saskatchewan Avenue for us to plant (arrangements are being made
to hold a xeriscaping workshop with landscape professionals). We have had several
birdhouses donated that will be place in our parks and flowerbeds. We have had
two meetings with city officials (Planning, Development & Leisure Services,
Works & Utilities, Parks & Recreation) discussing and prioritizing our
wish list for this year and in the future. A huge sign boosting our accomplishments
with CiB will soon be erected on a vacant sign post. Advertising space was sold
to help cover the cost. We've often said Melfort is a small town with a big
heart. There is a tremendous amount of prairie pride here and we look forward
sharing our part of the world with the CiB judges again this year.
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