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COLUMN: Rain dampens Communities in Bloom competition

Last week, I was trying to maintain a positive view of this protracted rainy season and I have received welcome feedback about that approach.

Last week, I was trying to maintain a positive view of this protracted rainy season and I have received welcome feedback about that approach.

Nevertheless, the rain is affecting us in numerous ways, including the work of the Communities in Bloom Society.

Although the society is concentrating on encouraging increased participation in the local 2011 competition, registrations are coming in very slowly.

Last year, the judging committee received 105 registrations. To date, they have received 18. They are now calling on former and new participants to get on board.

Deadline for free registration is June 22 and is made easy in two ways:

• Complete the registration form on page 31 of the Mission Leisure Guide and hand in at the Leisure Centre.

• Register online at www.mission.ca/cinb.

Registrations are accepted from Lake Errock to Silverdale, Fraser River to the south and northern border of Mission. Local judging happens June 26-30.

Fifteen categories also provide community-wide participation. As society members maintain, it’s not only about flowers. Categories are residential, front or back yard; service clubs; small business, residential of commercial; malls/large corporations; industrial areas; vegetable gardens; churches and temples; non-profits; strata and retirement residences; school projects; environmental projects; youth projects; and heritage projects.

Most importantly, Communities in Bloom is about civic pride. Mission has much to be proud about. In 2008 we received five of five possible blooms in the provincial competition. We repeated this in 2009 and topped our accomplishments in 2010 with five blooms in the national competition.

The local awards night is July 15 at the Leisure Centre.  Will you be there to celebrate? The CinB Society is asking you to participate or to encourage your neighbours, business friends or community groups to do so by registering before June 15.

Keep blooming, Mission.