Duane Hicks Staff writer
Wednesday, March 21, 2007

FORT FRANCES—While spring only sprung today (at least officially), the local Chamber of Commerce already has flowers on the brain as it gears up for its annual beautification program, “Project Petunia.”
The Chamber will be hanging more than 60 baskets in June to brighten up the stretch of King’s Highway from Tim Hortons to Central Avenue, then up Central Avenue to the Ontario Tourism Centre, and in the “gateway” area of town on Church Street and Mowat Avenue.

Nearly 20 planters also will put out on the traffic islands at Central Avenue, as well as two more in front of the Chamber office on the 400 block of Scott Street.
Chamber office manager Dawn Booth noted Tuesday that while the Chamber has been increasing the number of baskets and planters on a nearly annual basis, this year’s total will stay the same as last.
“We decided we are not going to expand the project this year,” she noted. “One of the reasons is most of our five-year sponsors were up last year.
“We want to try to get all of those people on board before we commit any more money to the project.
“Also, we’ve added 10 baskets for the past three or four years,” added Booth. “We wanted to take a break and see what happens.”
The Chamber’s beautification project is meant to complement that of the local Business Improvement Association, which includes flower baskets on the 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Scott Street, as well as benches and trash cans.
But beauty has its price and the Chamber needs community support to keep the program going.
Booth said “Project Petunia,” which was sponsored wholly by the Chamber in its first year, has seen generous support from the community over the past few years and last year was up to 76 sponsors.
Beyond just wanting to help beautify the town, some people sponsor the program in memory of loved ones or in lieu of giving a gift to someone on birthdays, or at Easter and Mother’s Day.
“We actually got quite a few of those types of sponsorships last year, which was nice to see,” remarked Booth.
She said sponsors should know that money donated does not go towards a specific basket or planter, but towards the cost of the program as a whole.
The cost is $50 per year, and sponsors can commit for a period of one-five years at a time if they choose. Some businesses and organizations also are multiple sponsors.
For more information on the beautification project or to be a sponsor, call Booth at 274-5773 or drop by the Chamber office at 474 Scott St. (across from Safeway).
Booth noted “Project Petunia” will be officially launched on the afternoon of Friday, May 11 at Robin’s Donuts, with free coffee and doughnuts for everyone.
As previously reported, town council agreed last month to once again have town employees water and fertilize the flowers during the summer months as it has in the past.
“We definitely wouldn’t be able to do this project without their commitment,” said Booth.
The Chamber also will be getting flowers from Lowey’s Greenhouses.
“They, as well, have been very generous in the past,” said Booth. “For the past couple years, they’ve donated the new baskets that we add, charging us for only a portion of them.”
Lowey’s also puts the baskets up and takes them down, as well as stores them for the Chamber each winter.