GPCF Beautification Committee announces Polson in Bloom contest winners
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News from Suz Rittenhouse GPCF Photos by Jane Larson
POLSON — Twenty-one beautiful yards were nominated for the 2023 Polson in Bloom contest sponsored by the Beautification Committee of the Greater Polson Foundation (GPCF). Street appeal, color, unique variety and originality were among aspects of the gardens considered for recognition.
Business Winners:
- 1st place: Delaney’s Landscape Center. Hwy 35
- 2nd place: Bayside Riser, flowers in pots and a mixed flower display graces what was once a weedy slope: Jade Newman. Hwy 93.
- 3rd place: Cotter Law Downtown Polson
Private Residences:
- 1st place: Nancy Luiso 108 Mission Bay Dr. Mission Bay
- 2nd place: George and Sandy Huntley and Raina Yarbrough two yards (mother and daughter) next door to each other. Hillside Court.
- 3rd place: Bob and Dodie Carlson. Hillside Court.
Judges Special Recognition honors three stunning yards next door to one another on Long Lake Drive: Jim and Joanne Simpson, Linda Reksten and Karen and Richard Fisher. Agnes Rinehart was given the special award of the Most Beautiful Garden. Her gardens are located at 1503 15th Ave. E.
Everyone who pulls a weed, picks up a bit of trash or plants a flower to enhance the beauty of their neighborhood is a winner. Bright orange and yellow California Poppies planted along the Demer’s Hts. hillside are a delightful bit of color visible from Skyline Drive and the Beautification Committee congratulates the thoughtful person who planted those flowers. Alice Rautio selected spectacular cultivars for the flower baskets and pots that welcome people to Blue Willow Massage Therapy along Hwy 93. Twila and Wes Delaney of Delaney Landscape Center installed the Bubblegum Petunias at the intersection of Hwy 93 and 35. The welcome cheers everyone who drives by and it announces that Polson is a community worthy of a visit.
Nearly 100 hanging flower baskets that adorn the streets downtown are made possible through donations from businesses and many interested people. This year the city no longer had staffing to water the baskets. Greater Polson Foundation now collects donations and arranges for watering once a day (twice in extremely hot weather). The intersection bump-outs are maintained by diligent volunteers and the bump-outs are watered weekly along with the baskets. The water is provided by the city. Floral displays help to announce that Polson is a caring, thoughtful community. Tax deductible donations to help with this community wide project can be made to the Greater Polson Foundation at 406-883-4723.
There is hope for those who have or know of a yard of equal or greater beauty than those honored this year. Next year you can nominate that eye catching yard and provide an address so that the judges can find it. The Polson Beautification Committee needs new eyes. Interested volunteers may call Agnes Rinehart at 406-883-1842, Jane Larson at 406-240-9714 or Mary Jensen at 406-849-5288.
