America in Bloom judges impressed with community involvement

America in Bloom Judge Leslie Pittenger shares thoughts on her time in Coshocton during the community reception for herself and fellow judge Linda Cromer. Listening at right is Tim France, president of Coshocton is Blooming. Josie Sellers | Beacon

America in Bloom Judge Linda Cromer, right, is pictured chatting with Mayor Steve Mercer. A community reception for the judges was held June 27 at the home of Daphne and Tim France. France is president of Coshocton is Blooming, which organized the judges’ visit to Coshocton. Josie Sellers | Beacon

COSHOCTON – Leslie Pittenger couldn’t reveal how well Coshocton scored on its America in Bloom evaluation, but she did share that volunteer involvement would be marked high.

“You guys are great and have a good volunteer core,” she said.

Pittenger and her fellow America in Bloom (AIB) judge Linda Cromer spent Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27 touring the city. Coshocton is Blooming (CIB) board members showed them how they and volunteers spent the past two years working on the six criteria that AIB judges evaluate communities on:  Floral Displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, heritage preservation, and overall impression.

“You’ve really showed improvement,” Pittenger said at the community reception held for the judges on June 27. “It was really smart to take two years off. We usually don’t like it when communities do that because a lot of times they don’t come back, but you guys did. You were able to make a plan and make a difference. You also showed your love for Coshocton. You are going to be pleased with how you scored.”

One thing the Coshocton is Blooming board did differently this year was pursue volunteers.

“Several people over the years have marked on their donation brochure that they were interested in volunteering and this year we were finally able to follow up on that,” said Deb Wallace, CIB board member. “We ended up with a gold mine of volunteers.”

Volunteers Teri Williams, Melissa Saylor, Amanda Emmons, Connie Bain and Louise Brode were very instrumental in helping CIB president Tim France plant the various planters found downtown and throughout the surrounding area.

“All Tim had to do was text them and they would show up as often as they could,” Wallace said. “They were all so enthusiastic too.”

Williams is a master gardener and has helped spruce up downtown some in the past with that group, but really enjoyed being able to do more with Coshocton is Blooming and forming new friendships.

“We had a lot of fun,” she said. “We worked two to three hours every night for a while on the planters, but time just flew by. It felt good to give back to town too and help make it look pretty.”

Emmons also wanted to get involved to lend a helping hand with Coshocton is Blooming’s quest to beautify the community.

“Who wouldn’t want to get involved and lend a helping hand to something like that?” she said.

Bain agreed.

“We had a lot of fun and learned a lot,” she said.

Cromer loved what they accomplished with the planters.

“They are one of the most visible things we’ve seen,” she said. “They go great with the town’s historic buildings and are really artistic. A lot of thought went into the selection of the flowers and pots. They are really different than a planter you would just go buy at a big box store.”

Pittenger also liked the planters and was impressed with the court square.

“It really meets all six of the America in Bloom criteria,” she said. “I think it’s the jewel of the downtown area.”

Pittenger is from Belpre and has been an America in Bloom judge for four years. Cromer is from Greendale, Ind.

“This is a great community and we thank you for your hospitality,” Cromer said.

Pittenger added that she plans to return to Coshocton.

“We only spent 30 minutes in Roscoe and I need a whole day there and at Clary Gardens,” she said. “I’ll be back because you have a lot going on here.”

Category: People & Places