Community rallies to support flower baskets

By Reader Staff

When the BID (Business Improvement District) was dissolved last year, it became clear certain things would dissolve with it — namely, the annual hanging of vibrant flower baskets throughout downtown from May to September.

A flower basket hanging on the corner of Second Ave. and Cedar St. Photo by Ben Olson.

Spearheaded by Deanna Harris at Sharon’s Hallmark, local businesses got together to talk about the need and set a modest goal to raise funds for 50 baskets (in years past, there have been over 100).  At $75 each, they felt 50 would be a good goal. With the assistance of business owners, volunteers, the media and the Chamber, word got out. Funds slowly began trickling in, and the more they advertised the need, the more people came together.

Businesses all over town, individuals, couples from out of state, and small groups started sending in checks to the Chamber.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the response from the community.  I quickly realized how much our town loves seeing these flower baskets every year. The response was so positive,” said volunteer Ranel Hanson, who went business to business asking for donations.  To date, the community raised enough money to purchase 90 flower baskets.

The flower baskets are currently being assembled by Creach Greenhouse and will be delivered and hung downtown on Thursday, May 17. The streets will be vibrantly decorated just in time for Lost in the 50’s weekend.

Sponsors:

Great Stuff, Paul Graves, BNSF Railway, Laura Sabet, Buffy McClure, James and Dona Fuller, Clem Yonker and Lori Getts, North Country Electric, Scott and Barbara McLongstreet, The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Ken Wood, Meadowbrook, Judd and Merilee Conley, Lisa Maus, Bleeding Hearts Tattoo, Realty Plus, Sandpoint Reader, Laughing Dog Brewing, Sandpoint Storage, Rose Marie Thompson, Litehouse, Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, John and Lynda Hansen, Shirley M. Howard, Cecily and Raymond Britton, William and Shirley Holt, Xhale Pilates Studio, The Martini Girls, Tomlinson Sotheby’s Intl, James and Lori Armbruster, Bonner County Gardeners Assoc., Bella Terra, Scott Dunn, Janeen Braun, Cedar St. Bistro, Burl Wood Dreams, Alpine Shop, Sharon’s Hallmark, Weekends and Company, Everygreen Realty, Zero Point, I Saw Something Shiny II, Santosha LLC, Century 21 Riverstone, La Quinta Inns, Beet & Basil, Hendricks Architecture, Mistie Kinney Realtor, Farhan M. Patel, Petal Talk, Dan and Sherry Morgan, Washington Trust Bank, Larson’s, Ray and Dee Kosse, Miriam and Seth Warner, Shirley A. Parker, Idaho Pour Authority, Outdoor Experience, Lana Kay Realty, Sunshine Goldmine, Ranel and Ron Hanson, Misty Mountain Furniture, Karen Seashore and Tom Tillisch, Gail Harmelin, Pastor Keith and Cora Goulette, MickDuff’s Brewing Co., Thomas and Tracy Gibson, Alliance Title and Escrow, Kochava, Inc., Northern Lights, Keokee, Ann and Edward Kritzeck, Horizon Credit Union, JW Healey, Eichardt’s Pub and, Blue Sky Broadcasting