Posted: 8/10/04
Group keeps Caledonia Green
CG cares for many sites ï Pie-shaped bed at the junction of Winnebago and East South Street. ï St. Maryís Church and School grounds. ï Gazebo Park hanging baskets, landscaping, and raised beds. ï Flower bed in front of city auditorium. ï Houston County Memorial flower bed. ï Historical Village at fairgrounds. ï Garden at end of American Legion shelter. ? The sensory garden by Caledonia Care and Rehab. ï Pots by liquor store. ï Firemanís planter by City Hall. ï Bed in front of wall of honor. ï Sprague woods by ìTurkey Capital of the Worldî billboard on Hwy 44 north of Caledonia. ï South entryway gardens. ï Southside old highway drive. ï Arbor Day program for fourth graders. ï Landscaping between Ellingsons and US West. ïNorth entryway, landscaping. ï Downtown hanging baskets. ï Chamber of Commerce gardens by Kwik Trip. ï Rice Pharmacy fence. ï Large ìCî of marigolds at North Park, and shelter planters there. ? Flowerbed at softball park. ? Caledonia Care and Rehab (formerly the Lutheran Home) around flagpole. ï Fall cleanup: Craig Welsh and the Sentence-to-Serve crew cleans up most of the gardens. Volunteers welcome: If you would like to be a |
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The four ladies worked with a determination familiar to gardeners or anyone who loves what they are doing.
Pull, hoe, cut, rake, clean, gather. And in a short time the flower bed at the junction of Winnebago and East South Street was looking pretty darn good on the morning of August 2.
Itís a scene that might be familiar to people who frequent Caledonia. The city is full of flower beds, plants, and trees, thanks to members of a group called Caledonia Green.
The women at work last week typified the group. There they were, sitting on the hard asphalt, kneeling in the dirt, bent over the rose bushes, and of course having a good visit all the while.
They were weeding, deadheading, removing excess plant material, trimming around rose bushes, and moving plants.
Thatís how Janene Hosch described their work. She was joined by Marilyn Jore, Rita Noel, and Lolita St. Mary. Janine explained that they do it about four times a summer, and not just at this site.
How many sites, an inquiring reporter wanted to know.
ìWay over 20,î Janene replied.
A group of volunteers is assigned to each site. Lolita volunteered to take over for her mother-in-law, Ragnhild, who actually started this site, Janine said. She didnít say it, but you could see she felt the beauty of that continuity that is as pretty as the flowers.
Marilyn said she appreciated the fact that her fellow workers helped her at the historical society, and thatís important too.
ìWe just help each other from project to project,î Lolita said.
Caledonia Green is very active, Janene said. ìI think itís really beautified Caledonia,î she said. But they are still short of volunteers. People can call her at 725-2258 if they are interested in joining the group.
The group began in the late 1990s under the leadership of Vanessa Fleischmann. Now Jean Miller and Ruth Pongratz run it.
They meet once a year to discuss projects. A fall plant exchange at the gazebo is set for September 18. Look for details in The Argus as that time nears.
About Caledonia Green
Janene Hosch gave the following information about Caledonia Green for The Argus earlier this year.
Eleven years ago the Minnesota Design Team came to Caledonia and was enthusiastically received. Out of this effort and the remarkable leadership of Vanessa Fleischmann the organization Caledonia Green was formed. Vanessaís enthusiasm and organizational skills brought forth a group of workers and donors composed of individuals and organizations, all focused on beautifying the City of Caledonia. Vanessaís vision for Caledonia has continued for the past few years under the able and dedicated leadership of Jeanne Miller and Ruth Pongratz.
As you enter Caledonia on Old Highway Drive the road is graced by 50 maple trees and accented by small beds of bright annual flowers.
The north and south entrances to the city have gardens beautified with trees, shrubs and colorful annual plantings. All over town small public gardens invite the viewer to stop and enjoy the scene. Benches, a fountain and hanging baskets add to the friendly appearance of the downtown area. Homeowners too have joined the effort and wonderful private gardens can be seen all over our city.
Caledonia Greenís free spring and fall plant exchanges benefit both the public and private gardens.
Funding concerns
A lack of funds has placed the future of this organization in a precarious position. For years the VFW has been the generous major source of funds for Caledonia Green. The City of Caledonia has reduced its contribution. Although funding is a major need there is also the continuing need for willing workers to maintain the public gardens. We need individuals, families and groups to ìadoptî a small garden for the season and to be faithful in weeding and caring for the space. We have had a great response to this need in 2004, thanks to our many helpers. Please continue to volunteer in the future.
If you could do that, please call Jeanne Miller at 725-5104 or Ruth Pongratz at 725-3194. Replacing lost funding is going to take some thought. An increase in memorials would be very helpful. This is an appropriate and a loving tribute. Call any Caledonia Green member and share your ideas. We are dedicated to the work of beautifying our city but we need your help.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com