Awards & Scholarships » KMB Awards two Clubs » 

Keep Michigan Beautiful (KMB) was founded in 1962 and supported by the State of Michigan. This organization soon became a branch of Keep America Beautiful, which was established by Lady Bird Johnson in 1968. Governor George Romney named KBM the official state organization for the promotion of beautification and anti-litter campaigns, including the famous “Don’t Be A Litter-Bug” project. Since then, each governor has supported KMB’s programs through annual proclamations. KMB relies on donations and grants since it now receives no state funding. KMB is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of no more than 50 members, 11 of whom serve on the Executive Committee. Members come from all geographic areas of Michigan and serve two-year terms.

 

This year there were two Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. clubs that won awards. On October 16, 2009 in Mt. Pleasant, the Seedums Garden Club of Cheboygan was given an award. The project was “Cheboygan in Bloom” and recognized the efforts of city residents, businesses, institutions and public facilities that beautified their streets with gardens that could be enjoyed by anyone who walked or drove on city streets. The Seedums Garden Club sought and recognized attractive front yards and gardens by placing signs in them. There was no minimum size or specific style to the gardens; all pleasant street side gardens with curb appeal that showed pride of ownership and helped beautify the neighborhood were recognized. Seedums Garden Club members canvassed 13 areas in July and August and couldn’t decide who enjoyed the project the most --- the recipients or club members.

 

The next award winner is a member of the Taylor Garden Club. Mary Krzeczkowski has been a longtime resident of Taylor and is now retired from a 32 year career in physical education for the Taylor School System. She continues to volunteer her time and gardening experience by working with the Junior Garden Club students and through her speaking engagements. Mary created and designed the brochure “Create a Butterfly Friendly Zone” for the Taylor Garden Club, which was given a first place award by the Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. as an educational publication in 2009. The “Create a Butterfly Friendly Zone” project, which Mary developed in 2008, was awarded a first place by MGC, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc. Mary indicates there are now 34 registered way stations for monarch butterflies and she was inspired by MGC, Inc. former president, Dolores Stouwie, whose president’s project was saving the monarch butterfly’s habitat.

 

The clubs received a beautiful walnut plaque engraved with the state of Michigan and then verbage about their award.  It was really nice.  There were probably 200 people there and around 36 awards presented. 

 

Congratulations to Seedums Garden Club and Mary Krzeczkowski from Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. for these outstanding projects. We salute your efforts to making our world more beautiful and butterfly friendly.