Blue Star Marker

The weekend of March 13/14 was occasion for a wish come true for Mort Wood! He and several other Veterans from WW II noticed that the Blue Star Marker at the Vaca Cut Bridge in Marathon was in need of attention. He approached Pete Chapman, Chairman of the City of Marathon Beautification Board to inquire about the maintenance of the Marker. Pete shared this information with Beautification Board member & President of the Marathon Garden Club, Linnea Cunningham. The Blue Star Marker Highways were Federally designated with the assistance of the National Garden Club to honor United States Military Service Members in 1945. The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs recommended contact with Thomas Stelling of Daytona Beach, an experienced refurbisher. Tom worked on the sign and now the gold letters and blue star stand out and can be read from a distance. Donations from some generous folks made the refurbishing possible; Morton Wood, Barbara Fehsenfeld, Sandy & Dick Gebhardt, Marlis & Erick Bley, Linda & Lynn Mapes, Pete Chapman, Darby & Don Wathne and Pat & Dick Rowley. (The last two couples were unable to be present for the photo shoot.) The Marathon Garden Club gives recognition and a huge thank you to this generous group.

White Heron Award

West Marine, located at MM48.5, was recently awarded the White Heron Award by the Marathon Garden Club! This traveling award is presented throughout the year to area businesses & organizations that participate in beautification projects on properties located between Conch Key and the Seven Mile Bridge. West Marine opened at its new location on November 20, 2009 & has planted a combination of native & ornamental plants right along US1. Standing in front of a landscape of Montgomery palms, coco plum, indian hawthorn & dianella grass, Judy Shaw, Master Gardener & member of the Marathon Garden Club (left) presented the award to store manager, Lake High. West Marine will be hosting a Spring Event on April 10 & 11. Admission is free and will include refreshments, marine supply representatives, boat displays and safety information and several opportunities for free merchandise.