Good-bye, whiskey barrels. Hello, custom-created stone planters!
The Clarkston Farm and Garden Club was ready with green smocks and new plants to welcome five new planters to downtown Clarkston’s Main Street on June 30 as part of an ongoing effort to keep the city tied to its historical roots with an updated look.
‘This is just another amenity that makes people stop and think when walking,? Sharron Catallo, Clarkston mayor and club member, said. ‘This is years and years of planning.?
Five of the 11 contracted planters arrived for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Main and Washington from local designer John Shell of Creative Stone. The club hopes to have all 11 downtown by the end of the summer.
The planters were designed to complement Clarkston’s numerous historical buildings.
‘We looked at what people we’re doing and what would be in character with Clarkston,? Mary Jane Scharfenkamp, club publicity chair, said.
Under the guidance of Elena Forbes and Linda Meadors civic improvement committee, the club began setting aside funds from major fund-raisers for the planters. Each planter cost more than $1,200.
‘These are beyond amazing,? Catallo said. ‘They’re beautiful.?
Keeping in spirit with Clarkston’s historic past, many of the planters have been purchased to celebrate past and current community members who have contributed to the city.
‘They add another human element to the city. They’ve been purchased for the people who have lived and worked in town,? Catallo said.
The club hopes to have 24 planters total throughout Main Street. Out of the 11 already accounted for, 13 are still available for donation.
‘It was their (donors) overwhelming response to this project, their flexibility as we worked out the details and their devotion to their honorees that sustained us as we moved forward,? Julie Piazza, club president, said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
For more than 15 years, the club has been responsible for the planting and maintenance of the old barrels found along Main Street.