Catskill, New York
Latest News from America in Bloom
What's In This Issue?
Planting Pride, Transforming Communities with AIB
America in Bloom Benefit Auction is Open - Bid Now!
A Community Garden Becomes an Alternative to Juvenile Detention
Thank You for the Birthday Present.
The Ubiquitous Plastic Bag - And What to Do About It.
AIB Symposium & Awards Program Right Around the Corner - Register Today.
Planting Pride, Transforming Communities with AIB

We're collecting stories about community transformations that have resulted from participation in America in Bloom. Our thanks to AIB judge Kristin Pategas for writing the first in this series, which features Ironton, Ohio. Click to read about this delightful Midwest town.

We look forward to hearing your stories. If you don't have time to write one (or more), let us know and we can have someone write it for you. We'll also be collecting stories at the symposium and awards program, October 6-8 in Arroyo Grande.
America in Bloom Benefit Auction is Open - Bid Now! 

Here is your chance to visit some of America in Bloom's most charming cities and towns. Buy a unique travel package to immerse yourself in the beauty and hospitality that flourishes in AIB communities. Hosted by proud local IN BLOOM and AIB leaders, you will enjoy one-of-a-kind tours, meals and experiences.
 
To bolster your own community bloom rating or beautify your own yard, shop for exceptional plants like roses and tulips and planting essentials. Or purchase an expert community-coaching session by AIB President, Katy Moss Warner.
 
All these valuable items are donated by AIB sponsors and friends so your purchase fully supports our mission: America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.


A Community Garden Becomes an Alternative to Juvenile Detention

With the help of famous rapper, 50 Cent, a green space in Queens, New York has become a place where troubled youth find new skills, self-esteem, and path to better opportunities. 

This small green space helps court-involved youths turn their lives around. For the kids who come to the garden from the alternative-to-detention programs, it's an introduction to a different speed of life. 


Thank You for the Birthday Present

Thank you to those who donated to America in Bloom's 15-year fundraising campaign. Your generosity was icing on the cake to our celebration. 

Still want to donate? We'd appreciate your support. Donate now.


The Ubiquitous Plastic Bag - And What to Do About It

Each year Americans consume over 1 billion (BILLION!) single-use plastic bags. Government at all levels is trying to manage single-use plastic bag waste, using bans, fees, improved recycling, and compostable bags. 

Nongovernmental organizations and environmental activists are pressuring the government to reduce plastic bag consumption, promoting measures that industry and retail organizations sometimes oppose. 

Key questions raised include how plastic bags are being used, why they are being used, and most important, what do we do with them once they have been used?


AIB Symposium & Awards Program Right Around the Corner - Register Today

Registration is still open for the 2016 America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program, October 6-8 in Arroyo Grande, California.
 
Three spectacular pre-event tours have been planned to make your trip to the West Coast even more memorable: Hearst Castle, Point San Luis Lighthouse, and a visit to the nearby coastal community of Morro Bay. Only a few seats remain, so register ASAP.

Combine the fun tours with the excellent educational sessions and learning tours and have an amazing AIB experience. Learn more. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
          
 
                     
                      
 
                
 
           
 
               
 
       
 
           
 
           
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
       
 
          
            
              
Thank You to Our Contributors
 
Katy Moss Warner
Jack Clasen
Evelyn Alemanni
Drew Becher
Charlie Hall
Marvin Miller
Edith Makra
John Manchester
Mark Broxon
fiftheenyearthankyou
Thank You to Our 15-Year Birthday Donors
Mark Ahronian
Douglas Airhart
Evelyn Alemanni
Anna Ball
Bobby Barnitz
Sue Barnitz
Drew Becher
Diane Berry
Billy Butterfield
Castle Rock in Bloom
Jack Clasen
Linda Cromer
Cultivate Catskill
Bev Dunkle
Marshall Dirks
John Dole
Jim Eason
Majorie Egee
Carol Elliott
Tony Ferrara
Dale Fisher and Jon Carloftis
Debbie Frame
Bill Foster
Ann Garrity
GIE Media
Racquel Giese
GPN Magazine
Clayton Guler
Charlie Hall
Linda and Chris Hart
Walter & Jane Heath
Holliston in Bloom
Ed Hooker and Rod Barnes
Jean Humeniuk
J Frank Schmidt
Clayton Johnson
Laura Kunkle
Anne Leventry
Michael Lorentz
Dwight and Vivian Lund
Edith Makra and David Kusnierz
John Manchester
Marvin Miller
Steve Mostardi
Tim Mulry
Delilah Onofrey
Stephen & Kristin Pategas
Alex and Jane Pearl
Pen & Petal
Ron Pierre
Leslie Pittenger
Mitchell Rand
Bruce Riggs
Melanie Riggs
Diane Rinkes
Jo Ellen Sharp
Sara Sheets
Kathy and Bob Shore
Tarboro in  Bloom
Martha Trubey
Barbara Vincentsen
Mary-Beth Wagner
Katy Moss Warner
Kris Warren
Rick Webb
Wanda Weder
Diana Weiner
Craig Yoshida
Mary and Paul Zahl
Frank Zaunscherb 

Thank You to Our Raffle Ticket Contributors
Ball Calkins & Mason Day, Ball
Jason Adams
Ken Altman, Altman Plants
Lisa Ambrosio, Wenke Greenhouses
Dale Bachman, Bachman's
Bob Barnitz, Bob's Market & Greenhouses, Inc.
Terri Bates Cantwell, Bates Sons & Daughters
Kurt Becker, Dramm Corp
Steve Bennett, Riverbend Nurseries
Chris Bernacchi, Ball Seed Co
Fred N. Blackmore, Jr., Blackmore Company
Stephen Blacksmith, Ball Seed Company
Donald Bleeck, Suncoast Nursery
Cees Boonman, Ball Horticultural Company
Albert Bordine, Bordine Nursery
Rick Bradt, AMA Plastics
Fiona Brinks, Bordine's
Karen Brohl, Brohl's Flower Garden
Andrew Brown, Ball Seed Co
Ron Brum, Ball Seed
Elizabeth Bucari, Ball Horticultural Company
Marcelyn Buist Byl, Micandy Gardens
Lisa Campbell, Danville Gardens,
Nathan Campbell, Danville Gardens
Tom Clesen, Clesen Wholesale
Deborah Conterato, Ball Horticultural Company
Chad Corso, Corso Perennials
Chris Corwin, Ball Seed
Eileen Creque, Creque's Greenhouse
Mark De Jong, De Jong
Mike DeRee, Ball Seed Company
John Dole, North Carolina State University
Tim Duffin, Ball Horticultural
Max Epp Jr, Ball Seed
Vaughn Fletcher, Fletcher Consulting
Dave Foltz, Ivy Acres Inc
Todd Frauendorfer, Ball Horticultural Company
George Freas, Ball Seed Co.
Matt Freeman
Douglas Gortsema, Ball
Ray Greenstreet, Greenstreet Growers, Inc.
Lee Griesbach, Ball Horticultrual Company
Brett Guthrie, Bell Nursery USA LLC
Mona Haberer, Hortica
Charles Hall, Texas A&M University
Debbie Hamrick
Mike Heins, Illumitex
Shirley Herzlich, Ball Horticultural Company
Jason Hough, Ball Horticultural Company
Stephen Huber, McHutchison
David Jewell, Illumetex
Clayton Johnson, Ball Seed
Cathy Johnston, Tri State Foliage
Lela Kelly, Dosatron International,
James Kennedy, Ball Horticulture
Red Kennicott, Kennicott Brothers
Nathan King, Ball Seed
Janet Kister, Sunlet
Michael Klopmeyer, Darwin
Laura Kunkle and Michelle Gaston
Anne Leventry, PanAmerican Seed
Jerry Mahoney
John Manchester
Scott McAdam, McAdam's Landscaping
Thomas McElroy, Newton Greenhouses
Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company
Lisa Minter-Bustin, Minter Country Gardens
Jim Mitchell, Mitchell's Nursery
Rick Ouding, Kalamazoo Specialty Plants
Claudio Pasian, Ohio State University
Cheryl Peters, JR Peters
Peter Scherzer, Ball Seed
Derek Schrof, Ball Seed
Thomas Smith, Four Star Greenhouse
Denise Snyder
David Steiner, Blackmore Company
Eugene Stickley, Ball Seed
Susie Stratton, Stratton
Abe VanWingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc
Mary Beth Wagner
Jim Wallitsch, Wallitsch Garden Center
Oliver Washington, Shore Acres Plant Farm
Jack Weatherford, Weatherford Farms
Wanda Weder, Highland Supply Corporation
Norm White, Whites
Bob Williams
David Williams, Williams Nursery
John Williams, Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises, LLC
Joe Wojoiechowski, Wojo's Greenhouse
Ka Yeon Jeong
Craig Yoshida, Ball Seed Company

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Find America in Bloom on the web at www.americainbloom.org.
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