Photos Karen Graham.
Visitors to The Blocks and Blooms event were treated to perfect conditions which encouraged them to take their time perusing the lovely gardens, quilts and heritage buildings on display.
Blocks and Blooms provided a welcome excuse to wander through the community and explore its beauty.
It was a really feel-good day for everyone; the visitors, the hosts, downtown businesses, and the whole community, featuring an air of hospitality and celebration. The weather was perfect and based on the smiles, visitors seemed to be enthralled by the extensive gardens, beautiful quilts and historic homes on the tour.
The people who offered or accepted an invitation to be hosts for the day provided a variety of features so that there was something for everyone; glorious gardens, local heritage exhibits, spectacular quilts, and lots of lively conversation. There were rural gardens with sweeping beds, a variety of whimsical and practical outbuildings, beds focused on a single colour or a particular species, and cottage-style gardens exhibiting the exuberance of a variety of the seasonal blooms. In town gardens made the most of their spectacular settings with streams, ravines and the “pond” as their backdrop to their own lush garden creations.
Five properties were selected because of their historic significance to the community and invited visitors inside. Among them were the Killians, who opened their home on King Street to show visitors their extensive array of photos, documents and artifacts outlining the interesting history of their home. It is known by locals as the Turner house because it was occupied by Dr. Henry Allen Turner from 1893 to 1951. In addition to practising as a physician, this remarkable community leader operated a drug store and a private hospital, established the first local telephone service and built a plant to bring electricity into the village.
With more than 250 tickets sold, Cavan Monaghan Historical Society (CMHS) met its target, raising approximately $3,000. These funds will allow the organization to upgrade its archival and technology resources so they can more effectively fulfill their mandate.
Feedback from visitors, hosts and downtown businesses has been universally positive. Hosts at all eighteen locations were busy all day, engaging with visitors, some of whom were neighbours and friends but the majority coming from Peterborough and the Kawartha Lakes, Cobourg, Port Hope and beyond.
The historical society has a long list of individuals and organizations they would like to thank. Blocks and Blooms was a community effort. From the perspective of our planning team, the day felt very much like a party.
The event would not have been possible without the gracious hosts, the community partners, and the ticket sellers – kudos to Moody’s! Cory Cole was the brilliant and inspired graphic artist behind the Blocks and Blooms poster. They would like to acknowledge event sponsor Nexicom and the Cavan Monaghan Barn Quilt Trail Committee for their generous support, as well 4th Line Theatre, the Township of Cavan Monaghan and Whale Family Chiropractic. Congratulations to all involved. KG