Geneva downtown gardeners get thanks
Geneva's green thumbs have gotten the thumbs-up from the governor.
The Geneva Beautification Committee, which maintains almost 50 garden beds throughout downtown Geneva, has won a Governor's Home Town Award. It will be presented at a ceremony in Springfield on Nov. 27.
"We are thrilled to have been recognized. It points out how so many people give back to the community in a multitude of different ways, and the Geneva Beautification Committee is just one way they do it," said Sherri Weitl, a committee member.
About 150 people work on the gardens, putting in more than 4,000 hours. The city of Geneva nominated the committee for the award.
"Geneva is known for its beautiful and historic downtown," said Weitl and the gardeners take pride in adding to ambiance.
The gardens came about when the state rebuilt State Street in the early 1990s, Weitl said. To keep its diagonal on-street parking, Geneva had to agree to install "traffic-calming" devices to slow traffic a bit.
Rather than installing ugly knobs of concrete, people suggested that the "knuckles," as they're called, become planters.
Geneva Greenhouse donated plants until it closed in 2006. Now the committee has to buy the thousands of plants it uses.
It raises money through a February spaghetti supper and by selling firewood. You can pick up a firewood bundle anytime and drop a $5 payment in the city utility payment box in the city hall parking lot.
A face cord of firewood can also be purchased for $80, plus a $20 delivery fee and an additional $20 fee to have the wood stacked. Call Jim Gehring at (630) 208-9453 to order.
The committee also welcomes donations of plants from your yard.
The committee's Web site is plantgeneva.org.
The Home Town Awards honor volunteer efforts in cleanup and beautification, parks and recreation, senior citizen involvement, veterans involvement, youth involvement and general community service.
Eight awards are given out based on population. A grand prize winner gets the Governor's Cup traveling trophy.