Flower power in action
The Flower Brigade convened in downtown Polson last month to plant the baskets that line Main Street. (Greater Polson Community Foundation photo)
If you’ve been in downtown Polson in the last few weeks, you have probably noticed the beautiful hanging flower baskets that once again adorn Main Street. This is due to the tenaciousness of a big group of small-town folks.
The hanging flower basket project started in the late 1980s with a small group of citizens (one of whom had returned from a visit to Vancouver, B.C., and saw the flower baskets there) and continued to grow in popularity into the early 1990s when the original organizers asked the Polson Chamber of Commerce to take over management.
The project was (and is) funded by downtown businesses, property owners and other individuals. The City of Polson initially assumed the watering responsibilities.
By about 2012 donations dropped off, and the Greater Polson Community Foundation (GPCF), a 501c3 non-profit organization, agreed to accept the donations and provide the donors with a tax-deductible receipt which revitalized fund-raising.
When the city announced it could no longer continue watering the baskets due to a lack of staffing, there was a real question as to whether Polson would have to give up its flower baskets.
In stepped Toni Whealon and the GPCF directors who decided to continue collecting donations and also arrange for the basket installation, find someone to water the nearly 100 baskets once a day (twice in extremely hot weather), and also to water the intersection bump-outs once a week.
“This is a great example of how our community came together to keep our town beautiful and inviting,” said Suz Rittenhouse, an active community volunteer.”
Jeanette Phillips, GPCF board member and flower basket lover pointed out, “It definitely takes a village for this project.” She notes that a local greenhouse plants, grows, and nurtures the baskets, donors receive the benefit of a tax deduction for their support while the GPCF serves the community, and the city donates the water.
A large crew of volunteers including Polson High principal Andy Fors and school staff, Twila and Wes Delaney and their family, and GPCF board members “got together early one crisp May morning to hang all these baskets up," she added.
The result: Sponsorship of the baskets is an example of community pride, shows that Polson citizens love and care for their town, makes Polson inviting to visitors, which helps the economy, and the flowers brighten everyone’s day with their vibrant bright colors.