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New England Hosts America in Bloom Conference
New England hosts America in Bloom conference.
Last month I spent an afternoon in Holliston, Massachusetts, touring the many flowers, shrubs, and grasses planted in public areas around the town of 15,000.
That day Holliston hosted the national conference of America in Bloom. AIB encourages town and city plantings to improve community and encourage local historical preservation.
New Englanders first settled Holliston in 1659, and incorporated the town in 1724.
Almost two hundred attendees enjoyed a luncheon that sunny day in a tent in Holliston’s Goodwill Park. The group represented thirty-nine cities and towns across the country.
The middle school band played and singers entertained while the guests enjoyed New England clam chowder and lobster rolls.
It was, however, the community’s long-standing effort to beautify the town that made the day.
Over the last five years Holliston has won three awards from AIB.
A tour of Holliston following the luncheon provided a chance to see the results of the town’s work.
In the center of Holliston this border of hydrangeas, mums, and marigolds welcomed the visitor. [below]
A short time after I took the photo you could see AIB conference attendees admiring the same border of plants. [below]
Several years ago town members formed a local group called Holliston in Bloom. Today two hundred volunteers, including some local businesses, support the program.
Many benefits flow from improving a town’s landscape. Mark Ahronian, a selectman and co-chair of HIB, said, “By keeping your town looking good, it increases local economy.”
The Holliston volunteers planted seven hundred mums throughout the town. I saw many of these fall flowers on our bus tour that afternoon.
Last year when I first heard of this national meeting in Holliston, I knew immediately I wanted to attend to see what made Holliston so important to America in Bloom.
Any visitor could see that hosting the national conference here was an honor that Holliston rightly deserved.
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Thank you Tom for your kind words, it was a pleasure to have you with us on such a special and fun day in Holliston!
Kathy Shore, Co-Chair, Holliston in Bloom
Kathy, you and your team did a fabulous job. I am happy to spread the word about Holliston’s HIB work.
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