Local master gardener and Newcomerstown Now have Main Street in bloom
NEWCOMERSTOWN ‒ Master gardener Brenda Junkin is using her talents to help brighten downtown Newcomerstown with hanging baskets of flowers along Main Street.
She was an active volunteer in Cuyahoga County, working with as many as 160 others creating community gardens under the direction of master gardeners. One inspired her to become a master gardener herself and in 2017 she reached this milestone. Master gardeners take classes required to reach this status, then volunteer by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research and other projects.
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After retirement, Junkin and her husband wanted to move from the city, but still be within a few hours of their children and grandchildren. Newcomerstown fit those requirements. Her hope was to begin master gardening again once they were settled. Through shopping and exploring in the village, she became acquainted with locals discovering her love for volunteering and gardening.
Lisa Spillman of Newcomerstown Now, the non-profit organization with members dedicated to the economic revitalization and historic preservation of Main Street, learned about Junkin from a co-worker, and, when the idea came up to brighten the downtown area with flowers, who better to contact than the local master gardener.
Hanging baskets are in place
The group met with Junkin about the project. Baskets would need to be hung in relation to sun and shade along with other guidelines.
“Brenda was excited to assist and a joy to collaborate with," Spillman said. "We planted the baskets at the Garden Patch a few weeks before the official hanging date. Deb Gaumer, owner, stored them in her greenhouse until they were rooted well enough to place them downtown. The baskets were positioned on Main and Canal streets the afternoon of June 1, and several days of very hot weather followed.
"However, our members are taking turns watering them, so this is a group effort for sure. We thought it fitting that Brenda hang the first basket. Around 20 residents watched along with Mayor (Pat) Cadle and three council members. It was great to see yet another idea come to fruition, and people there to enjoy it. We could have never done the venture to this magnitude without Brenda and Deb.”
Added Nancy Orr, local resident and Newcomerstown Now member, “It was a wonderful feeling while hanging the baskets. People stopped their vehicles, rolled their windows down and thanked us for the beautiful flowers and all that Newcomerstown Now is accomplishing in the village. Our vision is to bring people downtown to gather with a welcoming environment, murals to make you smile, flowers, and seating areas, so you can relax and visit with friends."
Not only is Junkin a master gardener, but an art history major. She and Orr recently joined together in painting a mural on the Bowman building on Main Street.
“I love Newcomerstown, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in the community again. Being a part of the Main Street activities provided me the pleasure of meeting even more residents, and I look forward to assisting in future endeavors,” said Junkin.
Many positives coming to Main Street
Main Streets are gaining popularity once again, and Newcomerstown Now wants that for Newcomerstown.
“All Newcomerstown businesses are valued as they each bring services needed by our community, and we appreciate our dedicated business owners believing in the future of Newcomerstown," Spillman said. "It doesn’t matter if your business is on Main Street, or somewhere else in the village, or if your career takes you to Main Street or somewhere else in the village, each is important to a thriving community.
"So many positives are coming to Main Street, as we have been awarded a grant to replace sidewalks, and in turn AEP will secure wiring under the street, which will allow new pole lights on Main Street. Those two projects will tie together with a timeline of later in 2023 or early 2024, but we are moving in the right direction.
"Another Newcomerstown Now purchase is a series of banners to display on the current light poles for the purpose of announcing events and to honor our military residents. These were obtained with funds from our very popular Simond’s Haunted Trail last fall. It is so amazing what can be accomplished when a team joins together."
Upcoming event on July 8
Newcomerstown Now’s next Second Saturday event is July 8. Attractions include food trucks from 6 to 9 p.m., a beer garden, business and non-profit spotlights and karaoke/talent contest. A cornhole tournament will be held at 6 p.m., plus a presentation featuring Realm of the Reptile, and children’s games to include street bowling, putt-putt and golf. All proceeds will further enhance Main Street revitalization.
For more information, visit the Newcomerstown Now Facebook Page, website, or call 740-294-3664 with interest, questions and to volunteer.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Newcomerstown Now launches project with hanging baskets
