The annual planting day was held on June 6 this year. According to Mayor Ed Anderson, they received the bulk of the ground flowers the day before and areas like the cemetery, health centre, adopt-a-spots and wire baskets got planted the next day. He added there are a few more plants than the approx 300 dozen they put in last year.

Canada150 (non-competitive) challenge

18 communities

Barrie, ON

Boissevain, MB

Calgary, AB

Champion, AB

Charlottetown, PE

Coaldale, AB

Edmonton, AB

Gravenhurst, ON

Goderich, ON

Indian Head, SK

Minto, ON

Montague, PEI

Naicam, SK

Stratford, ON

Sussex, NB

Toronto, ON

Virden, MB

Yarmouth, NS

“We ordered more flowers this year than previously,” Anderson said, “because we are having more planters to fill. We seemed to be short of flowers other years, but we should have plenty this year to fill the older barrels and the new ones when everything comes in. The town should be looking good.”

They are looking at adding 15 new barrels, which have yet to arrive. There is a good chance they will end up on South Railway Street. Some of these, as well as a few others, will be hosting red and white geraniums and white petunias in honor of Canada’s 150th birthday. They should be in place by Monday.

All of the planters now are the self-watering ones with reservoirs inside.

“Those save a lot of time and water,” the mayor said, adding that Michelle Burnett is once again doing the watering this year.

The hanging baskets are ready to be picked up and put up whenever they want.

One area of Boissevain that could be a beautification challenge this year is #10 Highway. Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation is planning to continue their highway renewal, moving through the urban area this summer. Although it will definitely be good to have a new highway with fresh medians, it brings up questions about what the Beautification Committee can do with its baskets and planters in that area.

“We can put the baskets on the poles, that can happen. Whether we will have the ground planters on the site is yet to be determined.”

Another issue so far this year is the dry weather. Although we had plenty of snow this past winter, that moisture is long since gone, with the grass starting to look like it is the end of September. You can water flowers, but no precipitation plays havoc with your turf.

“We need rain,” Anderson stated. “Along with our farming community, I can say rain would be appreciated.”

As with every year for the past few decades, Boissevain will be participating in the prime beautification competition in the world, Communities in Bloom. We have been in a number of categories since entering – both national and international – with many different competitors. This year is no different. In keeping with our anniversary theme, we are in another new one in 2017.

“We are in the Canada 150 category. We were told because of our record, we must enter this category.”

Canada 150 is unlike anything we have been in before. Boissevain-Morton is one of a whopping 18 competitors in this group. Old friends like Goderich and Stratford, Ontario are with us again, as are Virden, Barrie, Ontario and Indian Head, Saskatchewan. However, these communities are nothing. We are also competing against Charlottetown, PEI. Not impressed yet? How about Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto? It makes one wonder if Vancouver or Montreal were afraid to take Boissevain on.

“I just think it’s really exciting,” Anderson said with a laugh at the millions of people the community must compete against. “Do you think we’re in tough? It’s a nice challenge. We are certainly up for the challenge again.”

He added we had once had Ottawa-Hull in our category years ago, so it is not completely unknown. But is definitely still a bit daunting.

“Hopefully, we’ll do well, especially with the 150th. Whoever wins that will have bragging rights. We will definitely have to put our best foot out there.”

This could be difficult with dry weather and ripped up highway. But Anderson said the community could do nothing else than the best it can, and stick to what has worked for us in the past.

He is not sure when the judges are coming, but they are usually here at the end of July. This year, there are two new people. Larry Hall is a retired educator from Buena Vista, Saskatchewan, while Ted Zarudny, is a garden centre/nursery operator in Orangeville, Ontario. Anderson said it is good to get new people now and then, making it easier to show the town off.

The two judges will also be visiting the International Peace Garden, who are participating in the Special Attractions category.

There will be a welcoming night for the judges, ice cream in the ArtsPark with volunteers and the usual tours of the community. Anderson said everyone is ready for the competition this year.

“Once again, Boissevain is looking forward with a competitive spirit.”

by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff

Photos by ANNA LATIMER, Recorder staff