The local Communities in Bloom (CiB) Committee members should be congratulated for spearheading 100 Mile House's first foray into the provincial CiB competition.
While it seems like an eternity has passed since the CiB judges were introduced at the community barbecue in Centennial Park in July, the results were finally announced at the CiB awards presentation in Sooke last weekend.
100 Mile received three out of a possible five blooms, which was a very good showing for a first-time community.
This is especially true when it's normal for newcomers to score lower, and word has it 100 Mile came close to scoring a fourth bloom.
Obviously, this was a great start for us, and the local committee is already poring over the judges' comments and looking forward to making changes and improvements that will garner the five-bloom podium.
The local committee members did an awesome job of getting the CiB program up and running, and thanks to the District of 100 Mile House and the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce throwing their weight behind the project.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, as the committee had to suck it up when the program got off to a bit of a slow start, but they collectively put their shoulders to the plow and got the project rolling through events, door-to-door contact and promotions.
Eventually, all of the extra face-to-face promotion paid off in spades, and the community, as a whole, caught the fever.
People, who prided themselves in their gardening and yard-work skills, were recognized and encouraged to show the results of their hard work.
Folks started sprucing up their own yards and then reached out to help clean up their neighbourhoods.
By the time the CiB judges showed up, community pride was bubbling over and the district reaped the rewards of the extra effort.
We still have a way to go.
The vandalism in Centennial Park, one of the crown jewels in our community, clearly shows attitudes still need to be adjusted.
That will, undoubtedly, take time but community pride will eventually win the day, and we will gather the bouquet of five blooms together.
