Kirkwood America in Bloom Proclamation held at the Thursday, March 15, 2007 meeting of the Kirkwood City Council. From left to right: Judith Brauer, Mayor Mike Swoboda, Bill Ruppert. (Photo credit: Bill Burckhalter)
Kirkwood Enters the America in Bloom National Community Enhancement Competition in 2007!
The community of Kirkwood, MO, population 27,300, has officially entered the 2007 America in Bloom national community enhancement competition as a community qualifying in the 25,001 - 50,000 population category.
America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting and recognizing community enhancement efforts nationwide along with personal and community involvement through the use of landscape plants and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. Since 2001, America in Bloom has encouraged and helped over 130 communities just like Kirkwood from across the United States improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. In addition to potentially being declared an America in Bloom Champion, Kirkwood will receive a detailed report evaluating our current community enhancement efforts along with recommendations for considering potential future improvements.
In 2007, Kirkwood will be competing with four other communities in the 25,001 - 50,000 population category, including: Beloit, WI; Ithaca, NY; Norwich, CT and Saratoga Springs, NY. Communities who have competed in the 25,001 - 50,000 population category in previous years include: Columbus, IN (2006 winner); Bartlett, TN; Ocala, FL; Hudson, OH (2005 winner); Mason, OH; Sandusky, OH (2004 winner); Bowling Green, OH; Madison, AL; Northglenn, CO; Lake Oswego, OR (2003 winner); Glen Ellyn, IL; Tupelo, MS; Westlake, OH (2002 winner); Annapolis, MD; Barberton, OH; Bay City, MI and Wheat Ridge, CO.
The America in Bloom Kirkwood Steering Committee has been formed to engage community involvement and to assemble and publish the information and photography necessary to create a "Community Profile Notebook" for submittal to the America in Bloom judges who will be visiting Kirkwood June 27 and 28, 2007. Mike Swoboda, Mayor of Kirkwood, serves as Honorary Chair of the Steering Committee. Bill Ruppert and Judith Brauer serve as Host Organization Co-Coordinators and Sheri Mistretta, Kirkwood Area Arts Council, serves as Treasurer.
Host organizations and community leaders have been paired with each of the 8 judging categories:
- Tidiness Effort: Kirkwood Junction Special Business District - EMAIL Donna Poe or CALL (314) 822-0084
- Environmental Effort: Kirkwood Public Works - EMAIL Ken Yost or CALL (314) 822-5822
- Community Involvement: Judith Brauer, Kirkwood Citizen - EMAIL Judith Brauer or CALL (314) 704-4907
- Heritage: Kirkwood Historical Society - EMAIL Jim Baker or CALL (314) 822-8499
- Urban Forestry: Kirkwood Urban Forestry Commission - EMAIL June Hutson or CALL (314) 577-9445
- Landscape Areas: Kirkwood in BLOOM - EMAIL Bill Ruppert or CALL (314) 966-0253
- Floral Display: Kirkwood Garden Club - EMAIL Richard Connors or CALL (314) 966-2931
- Turf & Groundcover: Kirkwood Parks and Recreation - EMAIL Murray Pounds or CALL (314) 822-5857 AND St. Louis Community College - Meramec Horticulture Program - EMAIL Paul Roberts or CALL (314) 984-7714
Steering Committee Advisors include:
Public Relations and Marketing Subcommittee:
The Steering Committee has now held two initial planning meetings on October 10th and November 14th. Future full-committee meetings have been scheduled for:
- Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 7:00p.m.: Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room (108 W. Adams)
- Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 7:00p.m.: Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room (108 W. Adams)
- Tuesday, April 10, 2007: Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room (108 W. Adams)
- Tuesday, May 8, 2007: Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room (108 W. Adams)
- Tuesday, June 12, 2007: Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room (108 W. Adams)
Other important dates include:
- Late January 2007: media announcement of Kirkwood's 2007 entry in the America in Bloom national competition
- February 8, 2007: Presentation to Kirkwood City Council Work Session
- Early March 2007: AIB judges assigned to Kirkwood
- Early March 2007: AIB/Kirkwood utility bill insert announcement begins distribution
- Early March 2007: AIB/Kirkwood counter-top displays distributed to Kirkwood merchants
- March 15, 2007: AIB/Kirkwood Proclamation read at City Council meeting
- March 31, 2007: the Kirkwood community officially celebrates the kickoff of Kirkwood's entry in the America in Bloom national competition in conjunction with Brunch with the Bunny at Kirkwood Train Station
- Late March 2007: Kirkwood submits the Municipal Form to AIB
- Mid June 2007: Kirkwood submits our "Community Profile Notebook" to AIB
- Week of June 25, 2007: America in Bloom Week in Kirkwood
- June 27 & 28, 2007: America in Bloom judges Norm Kleber and Melanie Riggs arrive to judge Kirkwood!
- September 27-29, 2007: America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program in Rockford, IL. For more information GO HERE.
The Kirkwood Steering Committee welcomes the involvement of all community citizens, for-profit businesses, non-profit service organizations, churches and government leadership as Kirkwood prepares for the arrival of the judges. Kirkwood's municipal, commercial and private/residential properties will be judged in 8 America in Bloom criteria categories. Individuals and organizations interested in creating a community enhancement project unique to the America in Bloom entry should contact the Kirkwood Steering Committee for more information. The goal is for all improvement efforts to be recognized.
Additional information about this exciting community engagement opportunity will continue to be shared as available. Check back as preparations progress!
For more information about America in Bloom, visit www.AmericaInBloom.org.
If you would like to participate in the fun of preparing our community of Kirkwood for the America in Bloom judging team, LEARN MORE.
For Kirkwood citizens and business leaders interested in financially supporting Kirkwood's America in Bloom entry efforts, learn more by opening the pdf document below.
NEW FEATURE!: a photo gallery featuring potential images for inclusion in Kirkwood's Community Profile Notebook can be found HERE.
America in Bloom/Kirkwood Sponsor Categories and Sponsors
Sponsorship Category - Community LEADER @ $1000:
Sponsorship Category - Community SUPPORTER @ $ 500:
- Lois and Malcolm Bliss
- Alfred & Marsha Rheinnecker
(INAUGURAL SPONSOR)
Sponsorship Category - Community CITIZEN @ $ 250:
- Commerce Bank of Kirkwood, 300 N. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO (supporting the Kirkwood Garden Club's 2007 seasonal color plantings at the Kirkwood Train Station)
- Missouri State Senator Michael R. Gibbons, Kirkwood, MO
- Hummer Haven UnLtd., Margy and Dan Terpstra
- McDonnell's Market Place
- Michael C. Kearney & Associates, Kirkwood, MO (sponsoring the working lunch with the AIB judges at Mudd's Grove on Wednesday, June 27)
- ReMax Suburban Kirkwood, 338 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, MO
- Re:Arrangements, Judith Brauer
- The Twenty-Five Gardeners
- Tishie's Treasure, Trish Connelly
Other Sponsors:
- Anonymous
- Tim and Susan Griffin
Sponsorship Category - AIB Signature Project at Kirkwood City Hall: Pair of St. Louis Planters @ $2000:
For more information:
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