PATTEN, Maine — On Saturday, May 26, nine members of Katahdin High School’s National Honor Society gathered in Patten to fill 18 barrels with flowers. Those flowers were then used to line Patten’s Main Street in time for the town’s Memorial Day festivities.
Care and upkeep of the flowers is the responsibility of residents at Green Valley Association homes in Patten.
“The project began seven years ago as a way to involve Green Valley Association consumers in the town in which they live and as a way to add to the national flag project begun by Marty Arbo,” explained Rae Bates, a board member for GVA. “Each of the barrels is placed beneath a flag or as close to a flag as is possible.”
Katahdin students, from left, Haley Landry, Caleb Giles, and Blake Howes were among the many students who came out Saturday, May 26, to plant flowers to be used along Main Street in Patten. (Courtesy of Rae Bates)
Students who participated in the project were Natalie Rickards, Kate Anderson, Jordyn Ritchie, Shaylee Anderson, Haley Landry, Alyssa Barlyski, John McNally, Blake Howes and Caleb Giles.
Area citizens and businesses have generously contributed funds for the past seven years to make the project a success. This year, the project was short $234 as some of the usual contributors decided not to donate, Bates said.
Bates and fellow GVH board member Rowena Harvey chose to fill all 18 barrels as opposed to only the 12 barrels that were funded hoping that once people were aware of the need for the additional money they would come forward with a donation.
“It cost contributors $39 this year to fill a barrel,” Bates said. “The National Honor Society has sponsored a barrel and also raised money to replace three of the barrels that have been damaged over the years.”
Those who would like to sponsor a barrel of flowers for Main Street or would like to make a donation to the project, can send a check to Green Valley Association, ATTN: Jeff Hamm, David Street, Island Falls, ME 04747, or call him at 463-2156.
