America In Bloom Comes to Holliston
Holliston has participated in the America in Bloom program for three years and is preparing for year four.
The AIB program is 14 years old and 200 cities and towns in 38 states have participated. This year, there are 42 communities in the program.
Holliston in Bloom co-chair Kathy Shore introduced Katy Moss Warner, Vice President of America in Bloom.
Katy explained how the program works, emphasizing the importance of the community working together. etc.
Jasper Hill Cafe and Bistro was the setting for the morning gathering.
The 9 a.m. gathering at Jaspers was primarily conducted for out of towners in hopes that surrounding town's may opt into the AIB program leading up to Holliston hosting the 2017 AIB symposium. Above left, Susan Bergeron of Plant Something and Peter Mezitt of Weston Nuseries, center, gained information about how they could participate in 2017.
Katherine McDonald, above right, President of Mass Horticultural Society, spoke to Katy about their facility in Natick, known as Elm Bank.
Neighboring community leaders and interested businesses came to meet Katy. Above, Tim Lomasney, Vice President of Mass Nursery & Lanscape Asoociation ,listens to Katie's presentation.
An afternoon workshop with Moss-Warner was held at the Holliston Historical Society for Holliston in Bloom members only.
HIB co-chairs Kathy Shore and Mark Ahronian thanked Katy for coming to Holliston at the evening session held at the Christ the King Lutheran church hall.
Katy outlined the significant categories that the judges look for in a community, such as floral displays, general landscape, urban forestry, heritage preservation, overall impression and community involvement. Moss-Warner's credits are too lengthy to list, but include former positions as Director of Horticulture at Walt Disney Resort in Orlando Florida and President Emeritus of the American Horticulture Society. More information about the local efforts of Holliston in Bloom can be found here on the organizations website: http://www.hollistoninbloom.org/ or here on their Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hollistoninbloom/ The national website for America in Bloom can be found here: http://www.americainbloom.org/
Thanks, Katy, for renewing the Holliston in Bloom spirit in all of us.