New chair welcomed at Communities in Bloom

Times Reporter 

 

Communities in Bloom (CIB) is welcoming a new face at helm this summer. Melody Wilson is the new chair, taking over for Robert Breitwieser. 

“I have been doing it for seven years and I think it was time for new blood to come in and new ideas and fresh ideas. I’ve also felt that I have several other things I have wanted to become involved in, in the community,” said Breitwieser.

He is still on the committee for CIB, and does plan to continue moving the Civic Centre/Family Centre beautification project forward. Breitwieser has also recently joined the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce board this year, and the Strathmore Lions Club. 

Wilson and her husband have lived in the area for 15 years. She has a background in horticulture, having graduated from green house management at Olds College.  

“I have always been passionate about gardening, it started really, really young, I think I grew my first crop of sunflowers when I was about five or six,” said Wilson.

“I think it’s important for people to appreciate, even if they don’t know, the basic workings of how to grow a plant and why it’s important to have trees.”

Wilson feels that people who care for the yards generally seem to care more for the community they live in. For now she is hoping to continue on some of the projects that Breitwieser started. She does have a few ideas for projects she would like to see started soon as well.

“I would like to see another community garden maybe with some mentorship with kids and older people, I think that’s a great place to start because kids are usually very eager to learn and there’s lots of people that have extra time I think that can volunteer a few hours here and there,” said Wilson. 

“I think doing a tulip blitz this fall would be kind of fun as early spring you can see all your work right away.”

Wilson has been in the chair role for only a month, and is still trying to fully envision what she would like to see done. One thing she has started in her short time with CIB is bringing them online. 

“I am in the process of getting Communities in Bloom online through social media just to bring a wider spread of people the information on projects we’re working on. I think it’s a really good way to get information out quickly and get a response back quickly as well,” said Wilson. 

Communities in Bloom is always looking for volunteers. Anyone wishing to help out can go to the Facebook page, Communities in Bloom Strathmore, or can email Wilson at melody@peapatch.ca