Photo by Mike Brothers
Planters recognized. Pictured from left: Mayor Ann Short; Tina Krigbaum, designer and owner of My Garden; Richard Glazebrook and Susan Rauch of the SCED Restoration and Enhancement committee and Stepheny McMahon of Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development. SCED committee members not pictured are Michelle Hauser, Cindy Richardson, Lori Kirk and Shonn Hild.

An idea that blossomed

•September 23, 2015•

It began as a project by the Restoration and Enhancement Committee this year and recently drew the attention of a local botanist.

Roger Kirkwood, retired director of Lake of the Woods Botanical Gardens in Mahomet, not only noticed the planters located around the square in Sullivan but wrote Sullivan mayor Ann Short.

“What a pleasant and unexpected surprise,” Kirkwood began his letter. “Immediately attention getting, these planters are obviously well designed and well maintained. What an inviting and enchanting new aspect to downtown!”

Some 16 new planters were placed around the square with the existing planters moved to parking lots and still maintained by the city.

Stepheny McMahon explained the committee is part of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and purchased the planters, trees and shrubs early this year. The city of Sullivan provided the soil and all the flowers as well as regular maintenance of the planters. Tina Krigbaum of My Garden designed the arrangements and completed all the plantings.