Believe it or not, spring is here. You know the saying, “April showers brings May flowers,” and this is so true for Downtown Rhinelander Inc. The month of April is when the downtown flower baskets are planted, thanks to the Master Gardeners and Forth Floral. This DRI project is one of the most impactful that we do. It is also the longest-running (a little over three months) and the most labor-intensive.

Once again, it only happens with the help of the community. This project relies heavily on sponsors and volunteers. There are approximately 115 baskets. Many businesses and some individuals contribute but with so many baskets, we need more sponsors. If you feel the baskets make the city welcoming or they bring a smile to your face, we could use your help. A $100 donation covers the basket, the soil, the plants, the fertilizer and the truck’s gas and insurance (thanks to Rhinelander GM for the donation of the truck). Won’t you please consider “adopting” a basket? Do it to honor someone, do it because you love flowers or do it because you believe in Rhinelander.

Once the baskets are up, there’s the responsibility of keeping this investment in the community healthy, so DRI needs people to water them. The team approach works best and it can actually be fun. One person drives and the other stands in the back, using the wand. When you finish, go out for breakfast. If you are an early riser (5:30 to 6 a.m., as watering has to done before people start parking and using the streets) and can spare about an hour-and-a-half, you can help.

You can commit to one day a week (say every Tuesday, for example) or commit for one week, like the last week in June; we will take any time you can give. If you can offer your assistance in any way for this noticeable and valuable program, please contact DRI at (715) 362-7374.

There is a new face at DRI. As we continue to work on making downtown Rhinelander better, we have added another staff member. Patty Francouer has joined us as our part-time assistant. She’s really not a new face, as she interned with us last summer through Nicolet College. She already knows how DRI works. She has worked with our community and worked on some of our events, so she has been able to hit the ground running. Welcome, Patty.

One more thing. Perhaps you have heard that DRI is holding a new event this fall. We are planning the first PotatoFest, which will be held Labor Day weekend-Saturday, Aug. 31, to be exact. We are still in the early phase, so please stay tuned for the details. I just wanted to be sure that you know about it so you can mark your calendars-you won’t want to miss it.

Maggie Steffen is available at (715) 362-7374 or msdri@frontiernet.net.