Nancy's Notes

Today I’m a little defensive.  That feeling relates to comments I am reading on social media about Communities in Bloom.  There is criticism of the the Town of Drayton Valley  for it’s involvement in this program.  So let’s set this straight once and for all!  First of all Communities In Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement.  People, plants and pride….growing together. A Community In Bloom is one that pulls community together and speaks to economic development, social development, historical preservation and all other factors that contribute to a community in ‘bloom’.  In Websters Dictionary we find that the the verb ‘bloom’ (yes it’s a verb; not just a noun) is to change, grow, or develop fully, to mature into, achievement of one’s potential.  I have been involved with this program for 3 years as a VOLUNTEER.  There is some financial support from the town but most of the planning and preparation is driven by non paid individuals and non municipally funded initiatives.  The ‘flower’ part that everyone talks about are generally corporately sponsored flower beds.  Through our communities involvement in this program we have identified gaps in our community such as attention needed to historical preservation and an off leash park;  both of which are or were addressed as a result of this. We won Provincially two years ago with specific credit to youth involvement.  We are competing Nationally this year with our competition including town’s with significant natural beauty such as mountains or the ocean and some with history dating back hundreds of years. How do we compete with that?   If this was just about how our community looks we couldn’t plant enough flowers.  Perhaps some of you only see the negatives around you.  I came to this community eight years ago with a focus on making a difference and darn it I will keep doing that through initiatives such as Communities In Bloom. As one of the judges said when they were here in July; “It’s not what you see in Drayton Valley; it’s how you feel.”  So folks we don’t know until September if we win any award but I can guarantee those words from the judge were prize enough.