Spreading the News
By Evelyn Alemanni
The last month brought a flurry of media activity as participating America in Bloom towns have spread the word about news of their awards and results. In addition, lots of towns have been posting their information on their Facebook page or web site(s).
Working with your local media is a great way to build involvement in your local America in Bloom program. It lets people know about your projects, progress, and most important, how to get involved.
If you’re wondering how to get started working with the media, check your local newspaper. These days, most articles have a phone number and e-mail address for reporters. In addition, AIB has provided each participating town with a media list. Give them a friendly call and tell them what’s new, or send a brief email. Be sure to include your contact information. Remember, every day these people are faced with literally TONS of blank newsprint and/or empty web pages to fill. You’re helping when you provide positive, exciting news for them to report. Be alert for photo ops, or submit your own photos for publication. You might even invite a reporter to serve as media chair on your local “in bloom” committee.
Here’s a good project to start with. Birds and Blooms magazine, a monthly magazine with a circulation of 1.2 million, included a three-page feature about America in Bloom in their September issue. In it, they asked readers to send stories of their own AIB-related experiences. What a great way to showcase your beautiful town! Contact them using the “submit your story” form at Birdsandblooms.com.
Here’s a list of some links to recent press organized alphabetically by 2011 AIB participating cities.
Arroyo Grande, CA
AG wins America in Bloom again
Times Press Recorder
Staff Arroyo Grande has won its population category for the second year in the America in Bloom competition as well as a criteria award for preserving the city's heritage. “We're pretty proud,” said Bob Lund, chairman of Arroyo Grande in Bloom, ...
Bexley, OH
Bexley wins 2011 America in Bloom Award
ThisWeekNews
... Penn.; and Plymouth, Ind. “Bexley is not just a tree city, it is a city that could be an arboretum,” judges Evelyn Alemanni and Diana K. Weine said. ...
Coshocton, OH
Coshocton receives three-bloom award
Coshocton Tribune
COSHOCTON -- More than a year of hard work has paid off for area residents as Coshocton received a three-bloom award at its first American In Bloom competition. "We are just so proud and grateful for what the community has done," said Bill Freund, ...
Coshocton wins America In Bloom awards
Coshocton Tribune
COSHOCTON -- Judges' comments and major awards will be announced tonight at the American in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program, but Coshocton already has won two preliminary awards. In the city's first year in active competition for the national ...
Coshocton wins two America in Bloom awards
Coshocton Tribune
In the city's first year in active competition for the national community garden and foliage event Coshocton has won the AIB YouTube video contest and has also been named as having the best community garden program. The community garden award ...
Coshocton wins America In Bloom awards
COSHOCTON -- Judges' comments and major awards will be announced tonight at the American in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program, but Coshocton ...
topics.treehugger.com/.../09JcaSdasz3h7?...
Coshocton earns America in Bloom awards
New Philadelphia Times Reporter
Judges, Evelyn Alemanni and Diana K. Weiner said they were very impressed at the extent of the progress made since last year, particularly all the work that ...
Coshocton wins two America in Bloom awards | Coshocton Tribune ...
COSHOCTON — Coshocton has won two preliminary awards at the American in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program this weekend in Washington, D.C..
www.coshoctontribune.com/.../Coshocton-wins-two-America-...
Demopolis, AL
Beautification work pays dividends
Demopolis Times
After months of anxious waiting, the City of Demopolis was awarded a Three Bloom Rating during the America in Bloom national awards program Saturday. Thursday, the city received another award from Auntie Litter, Inc. for their efforts in keeping the ...
Gallipolis, OH
Gallipolis wins 'Four Bloom' rating from America in Bloom - Topix
After months of anxious waiting, winners of the prestigious 2011 America in Bloom national awards program were announced at the annual awards held in ...
www.topix.com/.../gallipolis-wins-four-bloom-rating-from-am...
Holland, MI
Holland In Bloom committee to present award to city tonight
HollandSentinel.com
Holland In Bloom committee members accept Holland's America In Bloom awards at a ceremony in Washington, DC, Saturday. Pictured are committee member Steve Zwiep, America in Bloom judge Melanie Menachem-Riggs, committee member Shelly De Vries, ...
Holland takes cleanliness prize in America in Bloom competition
The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com
Holland leaders gave credit to employees and volunteers who cleaned up the city after a July 11 storm that damaged trees and property – three weeks before America in Bloom judges arrived. "It was an amazing effort by the whole community," said ...
TV Interview (http://www.wzzm13.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1211532354001)
Holland more than tidy to win America in Bloom award
HollandSentinel.com
Centennial Park was in bloom in time for the for the judges from America in Bloom to arrive in August. By ANNETTE MANWELL Holland City Councilwoman Nancy De Boer and members of the Holland In Bloom committee were present to accept Holland's award for ...
Holland named 'tidiest' community
WZZM
The city entered into the America in Bloom competition over the summer. The competition pitted cities from across the country against each other, based on eight categories that project the city's 'beauty.' Holland was a big winner. ...
Holland Captures America in Bloom Honors
WHTC
ARLINGTON, VA (WHTC News) - Holland has made a big splash in its first entry into the America in Bloom competition. In Saturday night's final ceremonies, the Tulip City captured the top prize, a five-bloom honor, for cities of between 25000 and 50000 ...
LETTER — Congratulations on America in Bloom
HollandSentinel.com
As a part of America In Bloom, I had the privilege of judging your community in this year's competition. The competition was tough. You were competing against a town that had been involved for three years and had won awards in two of them. ...
Holland Captures America in Bloom Honors - Topix
Holland Captures America in Bloom Honors. Full story: WHTC. Holland has made a big splash in its first entry into the America in Bloom competition. Share. Post ...
www.topix.com/.../holland-captures-america-in-bloom-honors
A clean machine: Holland takes America In Bloom first place for tidiness
HollandSentinel.com
By ANNETTE MANWELL Holland took first place in the tidiness category of the America In Bloom contest, Holland City Councilwoman Nancy De Boer said. De Boer is in Washington DC with other Holland In Bloom committee members for the award ceremonies. ...
Holland Earns Honor in America in Bloom Awards Competition - Topix
Holland Earns Honor in America in Bloom Awards Competition. Full story: WHTC. In it's first-ever entry into the Americain Bloom competition, Hollandwon't be ...
www.topix.net/.../holland-earns-honor-in-america-in-bloom-a...
London, KY
Blooms blossom in downtown London
Times Tribune of Corbin
He quoted one of the America in Bloom judges, “Communities that have an improved ranking are communities that are working together to improve themselves.” He added, “We couldn't agree more, as it takes every partnership possible to create a unique ...
McCall, ID
America in Bloom competition honors McCall with special award ...
McCALL, Idaho – McCall has been in bloom all year and Saturday, the town's ...
www.ktvb.com/.../America-in-Bloom-competition-honors-Mc...
Events > America in Bloom meeting > Coshocton, OH > Coshocton ...
coshoct has local businesses, ratings, reviews, photos, movies, theaters, performers and events.
search.coshoctontribune.com/.../19566-America-in-Bloom-me...
Springfield, OH
The Springfield Paper | America in Bloom Awards Results Announced
COLUMBUS, OH-After months of anxious waiting, winners of the prestigious 2011 America in Bloom national awards program were announced at the annual ...
www.thespringfieldpaper.com/.../3267-america-in-bloom-awa...
City grabs 3 beautification awards in contest
Springfield News Sun
America In Bloom, an organization that promotes beautification through education and community involvement, evaluates cities in categories such as floral displays, heritage, environmentalism and community involvement, among others. ...
The Fairborn Paper | America in Bloom Awards Results Announced
America in Bloom executive director, Laura Kunkle, said, “Many towns tell us that they win just by participating. The program helps them step up involvement of ...
www.thefairbornpaper.com/.../740-america-in-bloom-awards-...
Warrenville, IL
America in Bloom honors former Warrenville mayor Vivian Lund ...
Former Warrenville Mayor Vivian Lund, 83, has received an award from America in Bloom for her dedication to maintaining the community's public gardens.
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111015/.../710159867/
Washington, MO
Blooming Congratulations!
The Missourian
The award was announced at the 2011 America in Bloom Symposium and Annual Awards ceremony held recently in Washington, DC Washington was the winner of the community involvement criteria award, sponsored by the American Horticultural Society. ...
The Missourian
America in Bloom (AIB) judges commended Washington on its first year of participation in the program that recognizes communities for their beautification and enhancement efforts. Washington won the community involvement criteria award during the 2011 ...
City Officials Will Learn if They Won America in Bloom Contest
The Missourian
Sally served on the local AIB committee and helped lead a tour for AIB judges Evelyn Alemanni and Diana Weiner when they visited Washington July 7-8. ...
City Honored for Community Involvement
The Missourian
Judges Evelyn Alemanni and Diana Weiner toured Washington July 7-8 and met with city officials, residents and volunteers. Communities could earn up to 125 ...
America in Bloom Judges Suggest Improvements After Touring Washington
Westfield, NJ
Westfield earns 4-bloom rating from America In Bloom
Suburban News
By Suburban News WESTFIELD -- After months of anxious waiting, winners of the prestigious 2011 America in Bloom national awards program were announced at the annual awards held in Washington, DC, on Oct. 8. America in Bloom executive director Laura ...