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Downtown planters up for adoption

Contest to honor the late Jim Tunall

Sentinel photo by BUFFIE BOYER
The concrete planters on Market Street in Lewistown will soon be moved so they are more evenly spaced and level, awaiting sponsors currently being solicited to participate in the Downtown Lewistown Adopt-A-Planter Program and Contest.

LEWISTOWN — The groundhog just told us that there are still six more weeks of winter to endure, but some people are making the best of it by planning a spring and summer beautification project that will make a brighter community and honor a local man who loved Lewistown.

The Borough of Lewistown and the Penn State Master Gardeners are partnering to solicit local businesses to “adopt” the square concrete planters that are now sitting somewhat haphazardly on the sidewalks of Market Street.

In the coming weeks, the borough will move the large concrete planters so that they are evenly spaced and level, according to a press release.

The placement of about 50 planters will begin near the intersection adjacent to the River Bridge, and continue all the way to the Five Points. That will set the stage for what’s billed as the Downtown Lewistown Adopt-A-Planter Program and Contest.

Businesses on that route have been asked to adopt a planter near their properties for the 2017 season. So far, several have agreed, including MCS Bank, Lewistown Elks No. 663, First National Bank, Harvey Smith’s Barber Shop, Laskaris Restaurant, Mifflin County Children and Youth, MBR Medical Billing, Northwest Consumer Discount Co., South Hills School of Business and Technology, Zion Hair Salon and the Penn State Master Gardeners of the Juniata Valley.

There are dozens of planters still available for other businesses, individuals and organizations to adopt.

“We are looking for committed sponsors who will enjoy adding to the ambiance of our downtown and who will keep their planters in tip-top shape,” project organizers specified in the press release. Sponsors are asked to make a one-year commitment.

Sponsors will have access to a Juniata Valley Master Gardener for consultation, if desired, but will make the ultimate choice about what to plant.

A garden stake will be placed in each planter identifying its sponsor, and mini-gardens may be planted in honor or memory of loved ones, if that is the desire of the sponsor.

A formal planting day is set for May 20, although sponsors may begin planting before that date.

Sponsors will be responsible for plant selection, purchase, planting, ongoing maintenance and watering at least three times a week. More frequent watering is recommended in very hot weather.  The borough will provide fresh potting soil by the end of April.

The contest part of the project will take place on Sept. 1, when every planter will be photographed and judged, and the best planter will be awarded the Jim Tunall Award, in his honor.

Tunall, a longtime businessman and promoter of downtown Lewistown, was the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce when he fell ill and died last year. He was well known for his love of gardening.

The results of the contest will be announced in The Sentinel.

More information or application forms for sponsors are available by contacting Sara Buffington at 248-8088, or sara@buffington.tv.

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