Archive 2008 - 2019

America in Bloom Returns to Holliston

by Linda Ahronian
7/1/2013

During their two day tour, the judges will visit many municipal and other locations around the town with this year’s chairmen accompanying them to point out what the town has to offer in ways of community, heritage, conservation, environment and of course all those beautiful flowers.  

The first day will end at the Holliston Historical Society house and barn where they will be given a tour, review some vignettes highlighting programs and areas around town followed by a reception on the grounds and in the barn. 

All are invited to participate in the reception on July 22nd at 6:00 p.m.  All attendees are asked to provide finger appetizers or bite-sized desserts to be shared with the judges and other attendees.  Please contact Pat Duffey at 508.429.2766 or at duffeypj@aol.com to give the AIB committee an idea of how many people are coming to the judge’s reception.  All desserts and appetizers must be delivered to the Holliston Historical Society’s barn between 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. on July 22nd.

Judges this year are Katy Moss Warner and Melanie Menachem-Riggs.  Katy Moss Warner is currently President Emeritus of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), a national, non-profit, member-based organization with a bold vision of “making America a nation of gardeners, a land of gardens.”   Prior to that, Katy was the Director of Disney's Horticulture and Environmental Initiatives at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, responsible for the landscapes of four theme parks, 15 resort properties and over 70 miles of roads on the 30,500-acre property.   Melanie Menachem-Riggs is a landscape designer and lecturer who resides in New Rochelle, New York.  Melanie is a popular lecturer at the New York Botanical Garden.  Melanie’s landscape design business promotes sustainable landscape techniques as environmental solutions.  She uses compost, organic gardening techniques and environmentally sound techniques to build her landscapes.

This year’s co-chairs are Bobby Blair and Mark Ahronian.  Both men attended the America in Bloom Symposium in September 2012 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and brought back many great ideas to share with their committee, many of which have been implemented throughout the town.  Holliston received many awards and recognitions in 2012, including the Heritage Award in its population group and one of three top videos submitted by the committee.  Bobby Blair was recognized as a Community Champion for his work with the Marigold Project and the beautification of Holliston through the use of flowers.

The success of this year’s participation in America in Bloom will not happen without the help of volunteers and area businesses.  There are many volunteer opportunities available for making Holliston ready for the judges’ tours.  Please contact Mark Ahronian at 508-429-8784 for more information on volunteering for American in Bloom.