by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleafers.com
A volunteer effort to help beautify the city’s downtown recently got a stamp of approval from the St. Joseph City Council. Elected officials unanimously approved the addition of hanging flower baskets at intersections along Minnesota Street and College Avenue, St. Joseph City Administrator Judy Weyrens said. Volunteers will reimburse the city about $5,500 for the project.
After discovering vivid flower baskets in the city of Red Wing, Carol Theisen brought the idea of adding similar baskets in St. Joseph. Theisen has been working with St. Joseph Action Group member Margy Hughes on the project. The plan is to add 30 flower pots to the city’s downtown. Fifteen lamp posts have been identified and there will be a flower basket on the right and left sides of the posts.
To make it all happen, volunteers are asking people to step up and take pride in the look of their downtown.
Hughes said businesses, local service organizations and individuals can purchase a flower basket at the cost of $150 for a full basket and $75 for half of a flower pot. Individuals can purchase a pot in honor of someone and or in memory of a loved one.
“This is our first year and we are working closely with the city on this project,” Hughes said. “Our goal would be to have this become an annual project with an increase in the number of pots as each summer goes on.”
In addition to selling the pots, volunteers will be asking 17 local service organizations, businesses and other contacts to assist with the purchase of brackets and the need to fund the labor for daily watering and fertilizing the pots. The plan is for the baskets to be put in place sometime after June 15. If the weather permits, they will be on display through Sept. 30 and serve as an added attraction during the annual Millstream Arts Festival.
Hughes also said those who support the project through donations will be featured in a paid advertisement in the St. Joseph Newsleader.
Author: TaLeiza Calloway
TaLeiza Calloway is a professional journalist in Central Minnesota. Her byline has appeared in the St. Cloud Times and Central Minnesota Women Magazine. The Ohio native moved to Minnesota about four years ago. She joined the St. Joseph Newsleader staff as a reporter in November 2011.