Summer
2001 3rd Ward Fabulously Flowering
Front Porch Awards are announced
Even with all of the attention that has been paid to Millville's beautification contenst and the gardeners throughout the City, the original Victorian 3rd Ward continues to contain some of the most concentrated front porch and front yard flower displays in the City.
Matt H. Christy, owner and operator of the Chrristy Funeral Home, and his wife, Jane, and funeral director Salvatore Ilacqua, began recognizing their neighboring gardeners six years ago. That year, the funeral home owner presented 47 certificates to show appreciation for the summertime displays in a neighborhood that often received little or no attention.
With each passing summer, the funeral home staff presented an increased number of awards. This year the funeral home, on first count, totaled 294 gardeners living in the target neighborhood. Then when all the homes were revisited, that number had risen to 302.
In the beginning, the Christy family wanted to sponsor the Fabulously Flowering Front Porch event to show appreciation to the gardeners living in the beautiful homes, and to encourage more gardening. “The increased amount of colorful and flowering front yards in the area has far exceeded our dreams.” Matt Christy said. Jane Christy added, “We have seen our neighbors experience increased pride in their homes, in the neighborhood and throughout the City.”
“Gardening isn't easy,” she continued. “Those receiving the awards really seem to appreciate that someone takes the time to visit their gardens and notice their work.”
The Christys often see entire families getting into the act. At 912 Church Street, members of a Hispanic family are happy to show off mounds of marigolds that were grown from one plant. It seems that last year their son presented a single plant to his mother. The beautiful yard is a result of that one plant. “The entire family has seen their efforts multiply into something beautiful. And, they know how an interest in gardening can bring a family closer together,” Jane Christy noted.
Gardening
is good for the neighborhood. “I like to remember what Barbara Blumenthal,
a member of the Shade Tree Commission, once shared with me,” Jane
Christy offered.
“ ‘Growing flowers in one's front yard puts eyes on the street.’
Barbara is
correct, and doesn't it make good common sense? Where we have a gardener
working near the street, we will most likely see less crime committed.”
Daughter and funeral director Rebecca J. Christy adds, “Several of the 3rd Ward gardeners have shared with us that they work along with their neighbors. A good example of what one person can do for his particular street is what Lou Gorman, living at 139 W. Broad Street, has been able to accomplish. He has encouraged all of his neghbors to grow flowers,” she explained. The show of continuous color along West Broad Street has been so striking this summer that the Christy family added a new award this year.
For the first time, a “Christy Eyecatcher Award” was present to four areas where entire blocks are in bloom. These include 1) The first block of East Foundry Street, 2) Where West Broad Street meets Columbia Avenue, 3) The corner of Church and West Powell Streets, and 4) The 500 block of Buck Street.
Other neighbors working with neighbors include Tom Smith at East Powell Street, and Angie Schultz in her first block of West Green Street. “ In fact, Angie has been busy all summer helping he rnew neighbor decorate the front of their duplex,” explained Jane Christy.
As in the past, Matt Christy had his staff select at random ten residents living in the neighborhood who will receive a $25 gift certificate to a local garden supply store.
A full listing of this year's Fabulously Flowering Front Porch award winners will be displayed during the 3rd Ward Advisory Council Meeting to be held at the R.D. Wood School's Bird's Nest Park, on Archer Street, on Wednesday, August 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
“I am pleased that the neighborhood gardeners have cooperated through the years and helped to establish what has become an annual summer past time,” Matt Christy said. He continued “The residents of the 3rd Ward should feel great pride in their accomplishments. We are also extremely happy that what we started has spread throughout our community and into others as well. We congratulate the residents of Millville's 3rd Ward.”
the Christy
family explained that the entire event takes about three weeks to complete.
The funeral home staff examine each and every home in the Victorian 3rd
Ward area, then personally present each gardener with a printed certificate
ready for framing.