Black Mountain Beautification Committee sows community improvements
Four local organizations awarded funding with Seed Money grant
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
April 6, 2022
From left to right, BMBC members Gayle Mudge, Betsy Kitslaar, and Jean Chamberlain present a Seed Money check to Carolyn Shorkey, Katharine Petrequin, Deb Evenchik, Bill Abbuehl and Russ Keeney. Seated is BMBC member Anne Dale. Photo courtesy of BMBC
Four local organizations and businesses are receiving support for their latest landscaping projects, as the Black Mountain Beautification Committee announced the recipients of the 2022 Seed Money Awards.
The annual grant, given to applicants that present plans that best exemplify the local nonprofit organization’s mission of honoring the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, will fund a variety of improvements throughout town.
The Donald S. Collins Early Learning Center, the Lakeview Center, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley and the Black Mountain Center for the Arts were each awarded funding through the grant, which is supported by the proceeds from the BMBC’s annual Garden Show and Sale. The total grant does not exceed $1,500, which is typically divided between multiple applicants.
“It is always a very challenging decision as we try to review the applications with a mind as to how the available monies can best be used, and how they fit into our mission statement,” said Jean Chamberlain, chair of the Seed Money subcommittee. “This year’s applicants had wonderful proposals and we encourage them, as well as others, to apply for our awards in 2023.”
Members of the Black Mountain Beautification Committee present a Seed Money Award to representatives and students at the Collins Early Learning Center. Photo courtesy of BMBC
Applications for the grant are available online at blackmountainbeautification.org, and physical copies can be found at Town Hall, the Black Mountain Public LIbrary and the Visitors’ Center, and the deadline to apply for next year’s Seed Money is in mid-March.
The Collins Early Learning Center will create a rock and ornamental fence and add a new raised bed, according to the plans submitted by the day care. Children who attend the Center will assist with the planting and maintenance of the bed.
Overlooking Lake Tomahawk, the Lakeview Center will utilize its funding to revamp the adjacent three-tiered planter, which will contain mass plantings intended to add color and catch the attention of the many people who visit the lake during the growing season.
BMBC Member Jean Chamberlain, joined by Gayle Mudge, Anne Dale and Betsy Kitslaar, presents a check to Lakeview Director Melinda Polites. Photo courtesy of BMBC
In a partnership with the Eagle Scouts, the Unitarian Congregation will install a free library and pantry, surrounded by a garden, in front of the church. In addition, the Congregation will replant a garden on each side of the church’s welcome sign.
BMBC members present a Seed Money Award to Black Mountain Center for the Arts Director. Photo courtesy of BMBC
Colorful planters near the rear exterior of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts, and a small shade garden under the stairwell, will be another project supported with the 2022 Seed Money Awards.
The grant was introduced in 2013, and has supported a wide variety of landscaping improvements in the community. Seed Money funding has been awarded to past projects including, a reading garden at Black Mountain Primary School; the east garden at the Old Depot; a garden at the Town Hall and a drip irrigation system for vegetable gardens at the Black Mountain Home for Children.