The Grateful Gardener
The Grateful Gardener
By Evelyn Alemanni
As an obsessed gardener in
Southern California, I have mixed emotions in autumn. The roses are steadily
declining as they head toward dormancy. Yet it’s still too warm to plant the
cool season flowers. A continuing drought means I can’t plan for the exuberant
masses of flowers we formerly enjoyed. Meanwhile, I have a tinge of envy as my East Coasts friends get a months-long break from gardening and can shift their interests to
activities like preparing for next year’s America in Bloom efforts.
As I look back on this year,
I find myself thankful for blessings great and small. So many things come to
mind. I am grateful for the many wonderful people who make America in Bloom the
great program that it is. There are the champions in the cities who rally their
friends and neighbors to get together to make a difference in so many ways,
whether it’s planting a few trees, painting a historic building, or even
dividing perennials to share with each other or plant in a park. Many of you
have become friends, and keep in touch via Facebook, email, and Twitter. It is
heartwarming to keep hearing about how AIB participation has touched your
lives.
It is as great a joy to hear
from people in towns where I judged 12 years ago as it is to get an email from
someone I met at this year’s symposium and awards in Holland, MI. Your
comments, advice and kind words are treasured.
We are grateful to the
people who make our national awards program possible – the judges and board
members. This hard working group of dedicated souls donates thousands of hours
each year to further the program. They do it because they have seen the outstanding
positive results across North America and even worldwide with similar programs.
Many of our judges and board members serve on committees and help with programs
such as the CN grants and our participation in the Philadelphia Flower Show.
America in Bloom’s positive
benefits to communities would not be possible without the financial contributions
of our sponsors. Their support makes it possible to keep registration fees low.
We are so grateful to them for their continued support.
To the families and friends
of our participants, judges, board, and sponsors, we extend our gratitude and
wish you a joyful and festive Thanksgiving holiday.
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