Participants of Demopolis in Bloom, an extension of America in Bloom which is designed to promote community enhancement through beautification efforts, were treated to nearly a full day of half-hour classes on topics ranging from pottery to forestry to raising chickens. Eleven sessions were held on Wednesday helping residents and business owners alike keep their property and the city of Demopolis beautiful.

Laurie Young, right, receives a Bloom Award representing District Five. She is pictured with District Five Councilman Cleveland Cole.

Last year’s classes paid off on Thursday at the seventh annual Bloom Awards, a banquet honoring residents and business owners with clean, neat and beautiful properties. Volunteers who spent their time helping others with beautification efforts were also honored at the event.

Mayor John Laney welcomed all attendees to the occasion.

“This is a special night because of everything that everyone does to bring us together,” he said.

Mayor Laney also thanked the volunteers and sponsors for their efforts in Demopolis in Bloom, the Bloom Awards, and for keeping the city beautiful in general.

“I can’t say enough for what you all have done for our city, so thank you very much.”

Connie Davis was the Master of Ceremony for the Bloom Awards. Davis was named as the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year in 2017 for her many services to the community including acting as chairperson for the 2017 Christmas on the River Day Parade, being a member of the YOUth LEAD board and sponsoring the Junior Chamber Ambassador.

Davis gave a speech recognizing the Demopolis in Bloom committee, sharing the history of Demopolis in Bloom and speaking about what the Bloom Awards mean for the community.

“The awards presented tonight are a way to show appreciation for groups and individuals maintaining excellent curb appeal throughout our city,” she said

At the event, Tree City USA, a program created by the Arbor Day Foundation to encourage and support cities maintaining and expanding their public trees, presented the Public Works Department, volunteers and the city of Demopolis the 2018 Growth Award for their efforts and achievements in Tree City USA.

“It really shows pride in what you do,” said Billy Carlisle, a member of the Alabama Forestry Commission who presented the award.

At the end of the night, Public Works Superintendent Barbara Blevins summed up her thoughts on the evening.

“It was amazing,” she said.

District 1 Bloom Award winners were Travis Clinic, Scott and Katrina Stapp, Anquitnette Winston, Butler & Company, River of Life Church and Stephanie Braxton.

District Two Bloom Award winners are Frank Stiff, Clint Mullens, Clint Mullens Jr., Willie Hunter and Walter Charleston.

District Three Bloom Award winner is Southern Blessings.

The Demopolis in Bloom committee recognized the following volunteers: Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Demopolis Chamber of Commerce, Pilot Club, 17th Judicial Circuit Court/Livingston, West Alabama Watchman Michael Clements, Kiwanis Club, Beautification Commission, Demopolis Middle School Junior Beta Club, Hollis Bright, Eastern Star Chapter 51, Masonic Lodge #49, Veterans of Foriegn Wars, Rogers Recycling, Camden Correctional Facility, Lion’s Club, Collins Communications, Corps of Engineers, WestRock, Boy Scouts Troop 41, Cemex, Greene County Steam Plant, Rotary Club, Alabama Power, and Demopolis Times (not pictured).

District Four Bloom Award winners are Fannie Ward, Paula Brock, Christie Anderson and Nina Pruitt.

District Five Bloom Award winners are Laurie Young, Foscue Park, Mr. and Mrs. John Wideman, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Snipes, Mr. and Mrs. Max Bailey, Mitch Tanner, Westside Elementary School, Robert Phillips, Wanda Duklin and David Griffith.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, March 24 issue of the Demopolis Times.)