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Latest News from America in Bloom
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Jenny Gibson of AIB community Madisonville, Kentucky, shared a wonderful story of their Primrose Project. She wrote, "Last fall, we removed sod and tilled one block on both sides and planted with 200 pink evening primrose. They came up this Spring beautifully. We issued a press release on Monday about the project and our desire to spread citywide.
"The public has gone crazy! Everybody wants primrose on their sidewalks. Many businesses and residents have called just wanting to find out how they can get the plants and put them in themselves!
 "Hundreds of people have been blowing up Facebook with accolades and how they want to see primroses on every city street. It is incredibly satisfying for me personally and makes all the hours seem like nothing when I read that it made them 'instantly happy' to see all of those flowers. I sincerely thank you for the work you do. Without AIB, this great day in my life would not have been possible. I just wanted you to know that I understand you are changing our world for the better. Thank you!" See more photos from the Primrose Project.
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Nominations Open for 2016 Community Champion Award
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Mary Hertel, 2015 winner
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Recycling Bin Grant Program Available to Communities
With more beverages being consumed away from home, it's increasingly important to make recycling more convenient by providing more away-from-home opportunities to recycle. The Dr Pepper Snapple Group/Keep America Beautiful Park Recycling Bin Grant Program - which opened its 2016 application process this month - does just that.
To apply for the merit-based grant program, interested organizations and communities complete an online form, detailing their proposal and selecting the number and style of recycling bin from a pre-set selection of options. Keep America Beautiful will competitively review and award grants based on need and likelihood to recover significant quantities of recyclables. Applications are open for submission through June 10, 2016.
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AIB Judges Visit Brewton, Alabama
Judges Evelyn Alemanni and Diana Weiner discovered pitcher plants and much more in Brewton, Alabama during their recent judging visit. Experience their visit through some pictures showcasing what they saw in Alabama.
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Connie Baggett, the Director of Program Management and AIB judge Eveyln Allemani take a moment to enjoy the different native woods used to create the walls in the Municipal building.
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A downtown mural celebrates Brewton's industries of lumber and transportation.
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Brewton has protected land near its airport where many kinds of pitcher plants grow including the endangered Alabama canebrake pitcher plant.
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Brewton's beautification committee selected orange new guinea impatiens and ornamental sweet potatoes for its planters downtown.
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| | Connie Baggett, Director of Program Management; Beth Sutton is a public gardens specialist with the Public Works department, lovingly referred to as a "flower child." |
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The E.O. Wilson Nature Adventure Park is an unspoiled, natural area adjacent to downtown Brewton teeming with native flora and fauna.
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The Value of Beautiful Landscapes
Agricultural Economist Dr. Charlie Hall will speak on the "Economic Impact of Quality Landscapes." Fairhope, Alabama Mayor Tim Kant will share what he has learned firsthand about "Reaping the Benefits of a Strong and Enduring Beautification Program." Garden Walk Buffalo Vice President Jim Charlier will offer insight into a remarkable garden program in Buffalo, New York, that has generated great tourism revenue with minimal investment with his presentation entitled "Tourism from Beautiful Home Gardens."
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AIB Judges Visit Saratoga, California
AIB Judges Karin Rindal and Pam Turrell recently returned from their judging experience in Saratoga, California. Here are some pictures from their visit.
 Karin noted that in preparing for her visit, she was reviewing the Community Profile submitted by Saratoga. She was particularly struck by this section of the profile: "The Saratoga AIB Committee wish to express our appreciation to the 2015 America in Bloom judges, Jack Clasen and Evelyn Alemani, for their continuous encouragement and for highlighting areas in which Saratoga, a city of which we are all so proud, could become yet better. We hope that you will see your fingerprints both in this report and in the improvements that this year's judges will witness when they visit. We are just now beginning to fully appreciate the importance of the decision we undertook a little over a
 year ago to enter this contest. The recognition granted to our city by the AIB organization both validates and inspires and has be  come a catalyst for yet broader community involvement. We hope that in turn you will be validated and inspired to carry on the work that has helped bring us to this point. We can't thank you enough."
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Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Katy Moss Warner
Jack Clasen
Evelyn Alemanni
Drew Becher
Charlie Hall
Marvin Miller
Edith Makra
John Manchester
Mark Broxon
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Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, AIB@AmericainBloom.org
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