America in Bloom judges finish Slippery Rock visit
SLIPPERY ROCK — The judging is done for Slippery Rock In Bloom.
Katy Moss Warner of Florida and Barbara Vincentsen of New Jersey, who are judges with America In Bloom, arrived June 22, toured the Slippery Rock area and left June 25.
“Everything went well,” said Cindi Dillon, a member of the Slippery Rock In Bloom committee.
Slippery Rock In Bloom started in 2010 as the Slippery Rock Rotary Club's president's project. It is part of America In Bloom, a competition where residents from around the country try to improve their communities.
More than 220 towns and cities from 41 states have participated in the program since it started in 2001. Slippery Rock is competing against Lewisburg, W.Va., Gallipolis, Ohio, and the University of Findlay, Ohio, in the 3,500 to 4,500 population category. It is one of 33 towns in the U.S. competing this year.
On the first day, the itinerary was focused on gardens. Dillon said the committee had a flash mob do a dance at Gateway Park to surprise the judges. The first day also was focused on history.
The second day was focused on sustainability, and included visits to Slippery Rock University and Jennings Environmental Education Center.
Dillon said the judges seemed to enjoy their visit.
“They seemed to be and were very impressed by all of the things we have for such a small town,” Dillon said.
She said that Warner commented that she was impressed by the energy of the town and how the residents came together.
Rotary members, committee members and volunteers spent much of late 2011 and early 2012 preparing for the judges' arrival last year. They planted thousands of flowers, raised money and organized cleanup days.
Similar efforts took place last year and this year.
The America In Bloom National Symposium and Awards will be held Oct. 4 in Philadelphia. Last year, Slippery Rock won an award for most creative design using flower bulbs and was one of the winners of the “Capturing the Spirit of America” photography contest.
Dillon said the committee is optimistic about this year's symposium.
“We're hoping,” Dillon said.
