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2016 Provincial Award Results
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The 2016 CiB Alberta Provincial Awards Ceremony was hosted by Cold Lake Communities in Bloom Committee on September 17, 2016 at the Lakeland Inn.
A huge thank you goes out to Jazelle Robb (Green Space Coordinator, City of Cold Lake) and Ajaz Quraishi (Cold Lake CiB Committee Chairman), and the rest of the Cold Lake Communities in Bloom Committee, for organizing such an amazing and successful 2016 Awards event!
Approximately 80 delegates were in attendance to enjoy this year's CiB Alberta Provincial Awards. In addition to the recognition provided to each of the 2016 participating communities, the event included a silent auction, guest speakers, door prize draws, and opportunities to network and socialize.
The local tours offered were well attended with delegates enjoying a pruning workshop, tour through downtown Cold Lake the Marina area, and the Cold Lake Air Force Museum.
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| Mayor Craig Copeland explains the history and future of the marina. |
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Joan Engler (E-Tree - The Tree Farm) leads the pruning workshop
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| CiB Delegates were treated to a Military Museum Tour featuring the 4 Wing Cold Lake and 42 Radar Squadrons. |
Dignitaries on hand to bring greetings from their respective jurisdictions were Mr. Scott Cyr (MLA for
Bonnyville - Cold Lake), Mr. Craig Copeland (Mayor of Cold Lake), and Mr. Kevin Nagoya
(CAO, City of Cold Lake).
Guest speakers were Rhonda and Daryl Sidoryk who spoke about their experiences with keeping Cold Lake clean. They donate their time and energy to walking about town to collect refuse and keep the City tidy each day.
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| Cold Lake Mayor, Craig Copeland, welcomes CiB delegates |
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Rhonda and Daryl Sidoryk_ Cold Lake Tidiness Champions |
CiB Judges Lorna McIlroy and Sharon Miller brought greetings to CiB delegates on behalf of the
national and provincial judging teams.
Bill Wells, CEO of Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, presented Ajaz Quraishi, Cold Lake CiB Chairman, with a cheque from ARPA for support of the provincial awards.
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Sharon Miller, CiB Alberta judge, brings greetings and
reflections on judging in Alberta.
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Left to right: Bill Wells (ARPA) and Ajaz Quraishi (Cold Lake CiB)
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The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) and CiB Alberta acknowledges and congratulates all participating communities within their respective population categories:
POPULATION 1 - 500 (COMPETITIVE)
Village of Champion - 5 Blooms (Category Winner)
Hamlet of Woking - 4 Blooms
POPULATION 501 - 2,000 (COMPETITIVE)
Town of Spirit River - 5 Blooms (Category Winner)
Town of Bon Accord - 4 Blooms
Town of Irricana - 4 Blooms
POPULATION 2,001 - 6,000 (COMPETITIVE)
Town of Barrhead - 4 Blooms (Category Winner)
Town of St. Paul - 4 blooms
POPULATION 6,001 - 15,000 (COMPETITIVE)
Town of Taber - 5 Blooms (Category Winner)
Town of Coaldale - 5 Blooms
FRIENDS - EVALUATED (NON-COMPETITIVE)
Town of Morinville - 4 Blooms
Town of Ponoka - 4 Blooms
Town of Whitecourt - 5 Blooms
FRIENDS - NON-EVALUATED (NON-COMPETITIVE)
- Town of Boyle
- Town of Calmar
- Town of Cardston
- City of Cold Lake
- Town of Coronation
- Village of Glenwood
- Village of Hay Lakes
- Town of Mundare
- Town of Onoway
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- City of Red Deer
- Town of Provost
- Town of Strathmore
- Town of Sylvan Lake
- Village of Thorsby
- Town of Three Hills
- Village of Veteran
- Village of Wabamun
- Town of Wainwright
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Village of Champion, winner of population category 1 - 500 Left to right: John Helder (CiB Judge), Marilyn Wolfe and Ella Rhodes
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Town of Spirit River, winner of population category 501 - 2,000 Left to right: Rose Carmichael (CiB Judge) and Faye Kary |
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Town of Taber, winner of population category 6,001 - 15,000 Left to right: Taber CiB Representatives and Sharon Miller (CiB Judge)
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Hamlet of Woking receives Mention Certificate. Left to Right: John Helder (CiB Judge), John Moen and Grace Sadownik
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Town of St. Paul receives Mention Certificate
Left to Right: Sherry Cote (CiB Judge) and Jody Bogdan
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Town of Ponoka receives Mention Certificate
Left to Right: Lorrie McFadden (CiB Judge) and Jackie Fleming
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Town of Boyle receives Friend Certificate
Left to Right: Lorrie McFadden (CiB Judge) and Boyle Representatives
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2016 National Awards and Symposium
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CiB Alberta Judge Lorna McIlroy enjoying RecFest |
On October 29th 2016, the 22nd Edition of the Communities in Bloom National & International
Awards Ceremonies were held in Regina, Saskatchewan, honouring municipalities across Canada, the United States, England, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Croatia and Italy.
The theme of the Symposium was "Healthy Communities: Harvesting the Benefits". Delegates had the opportunity to partake in various technical visits. There was a Trade Show, Parks and Rec Fest and an Exchange between International and Canadian Communities.
CiB Alberta extends congratulations to Edmonton who was an Award Winner in the International Challenge (Very Large) category.
Outstanding Achievement Awards went to the following Alberta communities:
- Bruderheim - Scotts Community of Gardeners Award
- Millet - National Capital Commission Floral Displays Award
- Stettler - Communities in Bloom Foundation Youth Involvement Award
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| Pincher Creek AB - Diane Burt Stuckey receiving an honourable mention in the international small category |
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Bruderheim AB - Sherry Cote receiving the Community of Gardeners Outstanding Achievement Award
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| Stettler AB - Rob Spencer receiving an honourable mention the international medium category |
Mark your calendars for the 2017 National Awards to be held on Sept 13-16, 2017 in Ottawa-
Gatineau.
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Community Growth Tips and Tricks: Using Communities in Bloom as a Community Development Tool
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Berta Briggs, Provincial and National CiB Judge |
Join Alberta Judge, Berta Briggs, as she shows communities how to use the CiB template as a
community development tool.
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Meet Communities in Bloom Judge: Debby Gargus
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| Debby Gargus - Master Organic Gardener |
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Debby is a retired teacher and an avid gardener. She began gardening as a child with her father and grandmother, and continues to harvest a bounty of fruit and vegetables each fall. Obtaining her BSc in Foods and Nutrition and BEd from the University of Alberta, Debby taught Foods & Fashion and Science for 25 years. She has judged agricultural fair bench exhibits in Northeast Alberta (foods & handicrafts) for many years.
In 2009, Debby received her Master Organic Gardener Certificate from the Stony Plain Multicultural Center. She has been an active volunteer of the Town of Mundare Communities in Bloom Committee since its inception in 1999, and the subsequent winning of the Provincial (2000) and National (2003) titles for communities with a population of under 1000.
In 2012, Debby was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for volunteer service to her community. She is looking forward to participating in provincial judging and seeing "People, Plants, and Pride working Together" around the province.
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Call for Judges for 2017 CiB Alberta Program
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We are seeking expressions of interests from people who would like to judge for the 2017 Communities in Bloom Alberta Program. Judges are volunteers who are drawn from the community and have a demonstrated knowledge of and interest in plants and people.
Are you:
- Dedicated to helping communities become better places to live?
- Community-minded with a clear understanding of how a sustainable community creates and enhances quality of life?
- A "people person" with good listening skills?
- Interested and have a good general knowledge of one or all of the following:
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- horticulture including landscaping, floral displays, trees, turf and green spaces;
- community development and basic municipal structure (especially public works and parks),
- volunteer contributions and involvement,
- social and natural history, and
- issues and initiatives to protect and improve the environment
- A good writer?
If you meet these criteria, then WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
To obtain more detailed information about what the volunteer position entails, click here.
Thank you to our 2016 Provincial Judges:
- Marie Wenger - Edmonton
- Sherry Cote - Bruderheim
- Gillian Evans - Edmonton
- Lorna McIlroy - Grande Prairie
- Linda Lockwood - Edmonton
- Lorrie McFadden - Edmonton
- Sharon Miller - Red Deer
- John Helder - Edmonton
- Rose Carmichael - Edmonton
- Linda Tomlinson - Rocky Mountain House
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- Bob Cote - Bruderheim
- Doug Hornbeck - Edmonton
- Dr. Mohyuddin Mirza - Edmonton
- Berta Briggs - Wetaskiwin
- Maureen Sexsmith-West - Lethbridge
- Ken Willis - Stony Plain
- Emily Neis - Spruce Grove
- Alice Laine - Cremona
- Debby Gargus - Mundare
- Linda Tomlinson - Rocky Mountain
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Village of Champion CiB Committee Gives Out Miracle Gro Awards
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It was only two days before the judges were to arrive in Champion and our committee still had 10 signs and jugs of Miracle Gro fertilizer to deliver to deserving residents. We had already delivered two of these awards the previous evening in the rain, but wanted to complete our mission.
Champion has a grand total of 480 residents, so we know our neighbours by name and greet
newcomers with open arms. However, our committee was surprised at the number of beautiful
gardens and backyards that we weren't aware of, gems of colour hiding behind homes and fences. It was fun to knock on doors and announce that their garden had been selected to have a sign placed at he front of their yard. Seeing their reaction was priceless!
In preparation for this event, our CiB committee entered a float in the 105th parade that displayed some of the Miracle Gro signs. We followed the float, passing out flyers and wildflower packets to the crowd to get the word out. Some residents called us afterwards to see how they could participate.
This venture stirred up interest about the upcoming judges' visit, but more importantly it touched many of the recipients in a big way. One lady responded, " My husband and I moved here ten years ago today and we were talking of how we hadn't done anything special to celebrate coming to Champion... now we have!"
I would love to tell about all 12 recipients but I know my space is limited. Our committee feels that this is the best thing we have ever done in our village to show our appreciation to those who love to garden and who take pride in their community.
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Champion CiB Committee float |
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| Outstanding gardeners received a miracle grow sign, gift package and congratulatory letter |
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Article submitted by Marilyn Wolfe, CiB Champion Committee Chair
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The Off-Season Coach: Evelyn Alemanni talks about How to Prepare Community Profile Books
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"What can we do during the off season?" That's a question international CiB Judge, Evelyn Alemanni, often gets asked by communities this time of year.
"Now that the summer Communities in Bloom rush is over and the awards are finished; CiB Committees can focus on things like fundraising, planning for next year, and their community profile books," says Alemanni.
CiB Judge Evelyn Alemanni shares some key strategies of preparing Community Profile Books:
Q. What is a Community Profile Book?
A.
It is a written summary of your community's accomplishments in each evaluated criteria. That makes it easy to write when you just follow the Evaluation Form and succinctly answer in each category.
Q. Why is it important?
A.
The Community Profile Book is a tangible way for the judges (and others) to get a thorough overview of your community, goals and achievements. It doesn't have to be fancy, just enough to cover the main judging elements and provide the judges with a complete picture of who you are.
Q. What else can we do with our Community Profile Book?
A.
In addition to being a tool for the CiB Judges, your Community Profile book is a brag book and the sky is the limit in terms of how it's used as a promotional tool!
Here are some ways to use your Community Profile Book:
- Economic development tool
- Addendum to grant applications
- Historic document displayed in the library, city hall, museum or Chamber of Commerce.
- Tourism book in the visitor centre
- As a way to get support for your program - give a copy to Council and the Chamber of Commerce
- Fundraising tool by selling copies locally
- Real estate tool - get connected with realtors as they will like to use the book to show potential clients the quality of life aspects of your community.
Q. Where can we view samples of other Community Profile Books?
Q. How do we get started?
About Evelyn Alemanni...
Evelyn
is a self-employed writer and award-winning gardener from Elfin Forest, California. She has judged for the America in Bloom program since 2003 and also serves as an international judge for the Canadian CiB program and for the international LivCom Awards. She has judged more than 130 towns in nine countries.
In 2001, Good Morning America named Evelyn's garden one of the five best in the U.S. San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles has twice named it one of its gardens of the year. Garden Ideas and Outdoor Living featured it on its cover. It has also been in Garden Shed; Better Homes and Gardens; Gardens, Decks and Landscapes and many other garden-related magazines.
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Nominate Your Outstanding Community Volunteers!
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THE SOVEREIGN'S MEDAL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields.
As an official Canadian honour, the Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General's Caring Canadian Award. The Medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.
As a trusted partner of the program, Communities in Bloom invites you to nominate volunteers from your community for this honor.
Important note: please send your nomination to us, through this link by November 17, 2016.
Do not send it directly to the Chancellery of Honours
For further information on the Medal, please visit the
Governor General's website
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| Jerry Dubyk, Chair of the Strathcona County CiB Committee, receives the 2016 Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers at the National Awards in Regina. |
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Gardens of Remembrance Program 2016 - Apply by Nov 30th
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CiB is pleased to announce the 2016 edition of the Gardens of Remembrance.
The program aims to engage communities throughout Canada to honour Veterans by means of remembrance gardens along with local activities. The gardens will involve the entire community to ensure that their meaning is known by all, particularly including activities with our youth.
The Gardens of Remembrance Program goal and objectives are to showcase our gratitude to Veterans-those men and women who served their country in times of war, military conflict and peace, and those who have lost their lives during war and other military engagements-and to recognize the sacrifices made by their families.
The program consists of evaluating existing memorial gardens to showcase them and promoting the creation of new memorial gardens to encourage communities throughout Canada to participate in the Gardens of Remembrance program.
Scotts Canada will be offering a $1,500 contribution to the Best Garden submission and a $500 contribution to two other submissions. Three Home Hardware gift certificates ($100 each) will also be drawn amongst all applications. The Remembrance Gardens will be featured in the 2017 Spring edition of the Communities in Bloom Magazine.
Who can enter?
- Gardens of Remembrance Program is open to all communities throughout Canada
- Submissions will be showcased as examples for communities to establish new gardens
- All applications will be eligible for awards and prizes
Entry Requirements:
Applications must be submitted, online, along with support material that may include:
- Photos, video clips (ideally during the season and Remembrance Day);
- Newspaper clippings [photo and print which include the source, date and page];
- Newsletters or other community communication documents; and,
- Copies of information and promotional material.
Emailed or Faxed entries are not permitted.
Completed submissions must be received by 5pm, November 30, 2016
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You're a Part of Something BIG!
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CiB is getting noticed! The media has been flooding in for CiB in 2016. Check out all of the coverage on our website by clicking here.
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Plant the Canada 150 Logo in your Community
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Let us prepare to Celebrate Canada's 150th Anniversary!
In preparation for the celebrations of Canada's Canada's 150th anniversary, let us demonstrate our pride of country by illustrating the Canada 150 logo in a floral display. Here are plants suggested by one of our national sponsor, the Ball Horticultural Company.
For the complete list of recommended flowers,
click here.
Canada's 150 Tulip - Available at Home Hardware dealers across Canada.
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