By Evelyn Alemanni

America in Bloom's judges come from many walks of life - some are horticulturists by training, others by obsession. Some come from city government, or are arborists, historic preservation specialists, consultants and more. They offer a broad range of experience when consulting with our participating cities and the evaluations they provide offer guidelines for further improvements.

Here's what the Ironton in Bloom committee chair, Carol Allen, sent to her judges after the symposium last year:

10/7/10
Hi Darlene and Darrell,


I personally wish to thank you for the wonderfully thorough evaluation you made of our community. My husband read it this morning and couldn't believe the detailed report that our community received. We will use this to encourage more businesses, community organizations, governmental units, and citizens to join us in our effort to develop a first class community. Our goal will be to reach the four star status. If there are one or two major areas that we should make our highest priority, would you share this with IIB?


It was wonderful visiting with both of you again and our session with our same-size communities was very, very informative. It was eye-opening to see the vast differences in community government, geographic areas, needs, and strengths.

Our group is meeting Tuesday and we will give them a report on our visit to St. Louis as well as share your evaluations. It is the goal of the officers to determine our major areas of emphasis for next year within the next month so that we can focus our efforts. There is so much to be accomplished that it is easy to become fragmented.


Darrell, I wish you a happy and productive retirement from AIB. You will be missed; but I will follow you on Google. Darlene, go for the gusto!! One more month and a new future opens its door...whatever the election results may be. Again, I thank you for sharing yourselves with IIB and our community and I wish you both new and fruitful beginnings.


Carol Allen, Ironton in Bloom

Going to the courthouse in any town can be an intimidating experience. Navigating bureaucracy, or maybe showing up for a court date isn't everyone's idea of fun. But in Coshocton, Ohio (a first time America in Bloom participant in 2010), the municipal judge has done something that makes people want to come to the courthouse. He has planted extensive gardens there.

Early in the morning, you can find Judge Tim France outside, his red pickup truck filled with all the necessities - a wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, sometimes flats of plants or buckets of bulbs. His cheery floral displays have made the courthouse grounds a popular destination. There are benches and even a gazebo where people can sit and enjoy the surroundings. Some people even have their wedding photos taken there. Judge France has wisely invested in all kinds of perennials, and as they spread, he divides them to start more garden spaces around the courthouse.


On occasions when he needs help, the judge offers people the opportunity to work off fines by helping in the garden, and even negotiates with the local sheriff to allow “trustees” to be released from prison for a few hours to help out with the landscaping. The result is the people enjoy being outside and contributing to something larger than themselves. The resulting pride is evident when they bring family and friends back to the courthouse square to show them what they have accomplished.



Judge France is also a Master Gardener. He often exchanges perennials with city residents to broaden the number of species in the courthouse flower display. Judge France, you are a HORTICULTURAL HERO!