Dewey in Bloom takes root
The vision of Dewey in Bloom blossomed May 4, as volunteers met at the home of Dewey Beach Civic League President Diane Hanson to gather flowers and supplies needed to fill 28 planters throughout town.
The group received $20,000 in donations that funded purchase of the large self-watering planters and a variety of annuals from Pepper’s Greenhouse in Milton, said Patrice Gancie, who helped spearhead the project.
Gancie said the town has come together to support the endeavor, and a strong steering committee drove the project forward. Cindy Lovett of Rehoboth in Bloom has been a tremendous resource as the group gets started, she said.
“It’s been a blast,” Gancie said. “It’s just been great.”
Volunteer teams have assigned planters and will be charged with weekly waterings. At the end of the season, Gancie said Dewey in Bloom volunteers will replace the summer annuals with winter pansies.
While the endeavor is not a town project, Gancie said Commissioner Paul Bauer, Town Manager Bill Zolper and Town Clerk Kate Banaszak have helped with advice.
The town also provided a $250 donation to the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company before planting even began.
Early the morning of May 3, firefighters visited town to fill each of the planters with water in preparation for planting day. Deputy Chief Ken Swartz said the company has assisted Rehoboth in Bloom with initial watering for about seven years.
For more information or to get involved, go to townofdeweybeach.com/departments/deweyinbloom.
