Provincial CinB judges shown the town
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Updated: July 28, 2009 10:59 AM
The provincial judges who visited us last week not only toured our community, but also attended three other significant events that showcased our district: formal presentations by district staff in council chambers, a luncheon at the Norma Kenny House in Fraser River Heritage Park, and the annual awards night at the Leisure Centre.
Staff presentations illustrated how the Communities in Bloom’s national goals and objectives are being met or planned at the district level. Department representatives of forestry; parks, recreation and culture; planning; engineering; environment; economic development; and RCMP illustrated their year long efforts to improve our city’s livability, appearance and safety.
The luncheon at the Norma Kenney House featured presentations by individuals who are heavily involved in environmental projects and related educational awareness activities: Laura Midan of Abbotsford/Mission Recycling; Dave McDonald of the CREW Alternative Program, Mission Public Schools; and Jim Taylor of the Stave Valley Salmon Enhancement Society. Fraser River Heritage Park manager Don Brown and gardener Heather Sterling conducted the provincial judges’ walking tour of the park.
The awards night’s program provided clear indication of the wide-spread community support C in B now receives. The program identified 59 businesses, individual and other community groups; 15 trophy donors; 144 local participants; 26 C in B committee members, and eight local judges.
Attractive and educational displays around the Leisure Centre gymnasium represented the Mission Garden Club, Mission Heritage Association, Abbotsford/Mission Recycling, District of Mission’s Environmental Services and Adopt-A-Block. The society’s special recognition for Gardens of the Month went to Eric LeBlanc and Bruce McKinnon; Heidi Smith and Scott Scodelaro; and the Shuh Boutik on Grand Street.
My favourite award, The Unsung Hero citation, went to Linda Walker of the Soapbox Community Organic Garden. Long before the 100-Mile Challenge and a renewed emphasis on growing one’s own produce, Walker toiled for years to make gardening easily available to those who may not have had property for back yard gardening. This year, Walker has been especially proud of the involvement of three to five year olds and their mothers in garden production.
The Communities in Bloom Society is already looking ahead to next year, even as they wait for the provincial judges' evaluation, due sometime in early fall. Co-chair Bert Pulles is still out there selling society memberships, and tickets are available at $25 for the third annual Aug. 13 Garden Party. The venue for this year’s party is the Jacks’ amazing Ferncliff Gardens in Hatzic. Just e-mail me at heatherstewart@shaw.ca, or call 604-615-0992 and I will set them aside for you at the door.
That’s all from this desk until next year.
Keep blooming, Mission!
Heather Stewart volunteers with the Mission Communities in Bloom Society
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