Walking Up Main Street: Brown Street is blossoming
My garden is very green with all of the rain we’ve had. My weeds don’t know they’re not wanted; even the weeds are blossoming. I love the early morning bird song and the humming birds at the feeder. The eagles are flying to the nest with fish to feed their youngster (happy to report “our nest” has one eaglet and it’s making lots of racket.) Last week I discovered a “family of fish” hanging out under the dock. I’m finding that living in the Northwoods brings a new discovery every year.
Our beautiful downtown offers some new discoveries, too. Have you seen the 115 hanging flower baskets of purples, pinks and whites? This is the sixth year our Main Street organization has coordinated this beautification project in our downtown. It’s becoming a real community project-and I mean community!
The Henning and Ruth Hempel family and their business, Forth Floral, are tops on the list of people who are making it happen. The volunteer Master Gardeners of the North, led by Diane Dei Rossi are another key group of people who are part of the back door scene making it happen. Rhinelander GM & Toyota Auto Center donates the vehicle for the daily watering. College student Max Hempel gets up early every morning and waters each basket before cars are parked on the streets. Volunteers from the Master Gardeners program fill in certain days to give Max a few days off now and then.
Contributions from the community are blossoming too. GFWC Rhinelander Woman’s Club make a very generous contribution to support the costs of the plants, soil and fertilizer (yep, just plain water doesn’t quite produce those blooms), daily watering plus gas and insurance for the truck.
To date, these additional individuals and businesses have said yes to “adopting a basket” this season:
• Dr. Nick Boismenue and staff, Child Health Care Center
• Cirilli Law Offices, SC (in memory of Albert J. Cirilli)
• Diane’s Frame Shoppe LLC (in memory of Alvin and Maxine Dumpprope)
• Eckert – Kost LLP
• Employment Options Inc.
• Eversco Ltd.
• Hildebrand-Russ Funeral Home
• Kristin Hill and Paul Wegehaupt (in memory of Donald and Helene Hill and Martin Wegehaupt)
• Kids Korner Pizza
• M&I Bank Employees (in memory of Pat Bronkalla)
• Master Gardeners of the North
• Bailey and Nancy Nebgen
• Northland Orthopedics
• O’Melia, Inc.
• O’Melia, Schiek and McEldowney S. C.
• Priebe Law Office
• Ripco Credit Union
• Stoxen Professional Pharmacy
• Dale and Gale Willcox
• Wipfli LLP
Thanks to volunteer Susanne Barcal for making community calls,
You are invited to support the “adopt a basket” program with a contribution of $100, or any amount would be greatly appreciated. Sponsor forms are available at Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. office, Forth Floral and Inside Story. All contributors will receive an invitation to a summer social event held to celebrate the sponsors and honored guests. Contributors will be recognized with a small window display sign, “I adopted a basket”.
More color is blossoming on Main Street. Have you noticed the numerous businesses that have added color with a fresh coat of paint or a new sign? Wow! Just last week I took my camera and walked the downtown and snapped all of the new signs and improvements that have taken place. I counted 18 new signs over the last year.
The new Hodags are downtown. What color and fun they bring. We are amazed at the spectacular designs this year. Soon we will identify each Hodag with a sign recognizing the sponsors and artists.
The Second Saturday in June Car Show was a sight to see. It was a banner year-we hosted 130 classic cars. Forty-five trophies were presented. Huge thanks to Dennis McGill and his team who pulled off a well-run event in our town. The show sponsor is Rhinelander GM & Toyota Auto Center. Carlson Funeral Home sponsored the t-shirts for the 15th annual event. Thank you all!
Hope you’ve checked out the downtown on Thursdays. The Downtown Market is now on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. The market offers farm, flea and fun! Be sure to stop in, meet the farmers and see their fresh produce. The flea vendors have awesome bargains, too. Then remember to head over to your favorite downtown merchant and see what’s new!
Your Main Street is blossoming. Come discover the positive changes.
See you downtown!
Sue Bessert is available at the Rhinelander Main Street office, located at 21A S. Brown St. Call her at (715) 362-7374, or email [email protected].
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