NEWS

Five Blooms and Top Honours for "Community Involvement

The Lambton Shores Communities In Bloom Committee is thrilled to report that we achieved “5 Blooms”(the top category) by CIB Ontario at the first ever, combined Ontario and National CIB awards ceremonies at Vaughn on October 2 & 3, 2009. 

Communities in Bloom is a program that fosters civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification. We believe that the community participation and the challenge of friendly competition encourages all of us to take responsibility to do everything we can to make Lambton Shores a wonderful place to live, work and play and a place where others will want to invest and to spend time. 

Provincial judges were in Lambton Shores for two days this past July and evaluated our community on 8 criteria: Tidiness, Environmental Awareness, community involvement , natural and cultural heritage, tree/urban forest management, landscaped areas, floral displays, turf and ground cover.

In 2008 we received 4 Blooms and positive feedback about the involvement of our community groups in so many projects that improve our quality of life. This year we made an extra effort to promote CIB to our community groups and then to have the judges meet representatives in each community to talk about the roles that they play. Everywhere we went during the judges’ tour, our volunteers welcomed the judges and spoke with enthusiasm about what they do. It was terrific and truly moving in every community.  We were hoping for the Community Involvement Award and we got it!  In their report the judges said: “Municipalities like Lambton Shores would not look or feel as wonderful as they do without huge support from community members. We met many proud and passionate volunteers ….we took note of and were impressed by the level of community engagement and the inclusivity of all generations….your passion for your community was inspiring!” The judges commented positively on the support we have from the business community, municipal staff and council. Everyone working together makes a difference.

The judges also noted that it is gratifying to see that in an amalgamated community, the entire community is well represented.

Special mention in the report went to things like : The Grand Bend Beach Enhancement project and our Blue Flag status for marinas and beach , cleanliness and maintenance along roadsides, The Shores and energy efficient buildings, the Oak Savanna of the Pinery, visits to 5 farming operations, the presentation of the Rock Glen collection, the Thedford historical presentation, Forest Kineto Theatre and mobile museum, the many gardens and the work done by our Garden Clubs and Horticultural Society, environmental achievements  in Port Franks and Ipperwash , just to mention a few.

We were informed that our Community Profile Book is one of the most attractive and informative examples ever seen by the two judges. This profile book is on display at the community libraries and the three municipal offices.

The CIB committee had nine goals for this year that were based upon 2008 judges’ suggestions and we believe we met these goals. Once again the judges have made some very specific suggestions for us in each of the 8 categories. The committee will meet on Monday October 26 to review the report and the recommendations. We will set our objectives for 2010 and will communicate that information through newspapers, website, and other means throughout the winter months as we gear up for 2010.  We have decided on “Coral and Blue” as 2010 colours.

Thanks again to our community volunteers, our business and agricultural community, our municipal staff, council and all those who assisted in so many ways with the judges’ tour.

2009 Communities in Bloom Committee: Catherine Minielly, Grace Dekker, Pam Kaczmarczyk, Bonnie Brand, Darlene Lacey, Chris Bregman, Shirley Andraza, Liz and Bob Putherbough, Tracey Rogers, Mary McGregor, Karen Barry, Ashleigh Miller, Mark Simpson, Ruth Illman, Ashley Albert.

back to top