Getting ready to be judged

Times Reporter

 

Strathmore Communities in Bloom members are hoping to get top recognition this year when the judges come through town on August 9. 

Last year Strathmore was awarded four blooms from the Communities in Bloom judges, and this year the goal is to get five. The judges will arrive in town on the 8th, and first thing the next morning they will be off to meet members of the town staff, the mayor and a number of others. 

“We hope to get five (blooms). I really think this is our year because we have had our centennial for one thing, and have done some new things with the centennial, the Heritage Times Square for one and the celebrations on the second and third (of July),” said Robert Breitwieser, chairman of Communities in Bloom Strathmore. 

“Communities in Bloom itself has had a number of projects we’ve done this year, we’ve added five more banners, and the heritage banners and we’ve printed more information in the booklet. We’ve done a mural, which is on the dental building right across from Heritage Times Square and we’ve also done the Centennial Community Garden, which is on the property of the Anglican Church. 

“So those are some new projects that we’ve done this year, and we think they’ll probably catch the attention of the judges. We’re also hoping that people in the community will kind of get together and clean up their property, especially the businesses.”

He said in the last few years Strathmore has scored low on the business end of stuff so Communities in Bloom are hopeful the businesses will fix up, trim and make their business look presentable. Breitwieser said it’s a challenge Communities in Bloom is throwing out to the business community. 

“I know that there are a number of businesses along the highway that are a real distraction. If I were somebody coming into town from out of town I wouldn’t stop there because they look so messy, so we’re hopeful that they’ll pick up on that,” said Breitwieser

He does have some tips for businesses, or anyone who wants to shape up their home a bit, just in time for the judging. Some of the things suggested are cleaning up litter, attend to landscaping, removing unwanted weeds, empty trash containers, sweep parking areas, paint deteriorated wood, wash windows, put out baskets or containers with flowers, and finally, put on a happy face and engage the judges when they come by.