Osher Institute Hosts America in Bloom Judges, Show

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas will host a reception for America in Bloom judges and will open a related exhibit at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the Global Campus Fayetteville facility.

“The Osher Institute is proud to partner with Fayetteville in Bloom to welcome the judges of such a prestigious and nationally known organization,” said Kathleen Dorn, institute coordinator. “The activities and goals of Fayetteville in Bloom have piqued our members’ interest, which resulted in our collaboration to host this event and exhibit.”

Fayetteville in Bloom is seeking continued recognition from America in Bloom, a national, nonprofit organization that bestows awards for individual and community involvement in beautification and environmental programs. The Fayetteville group has won national and international awards in this area since 2002.

The reception at the Global Campus, 2 E. Center St. on the Fayetteville square, is open to the public. Mayor Lioneld Jordan will read a proclamation from the city at 4:45 p.m. The event will feature music by the Suzuki Music School, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar in the adjoining Cosmopolitan Hotel, and an exhibit of artwork and objects representing contest criteria.

The exhibit will showcase paintings and photographs that depict Fayetteville’s floral beauty, as well as symbols that represent community beautification programs to encourage recycling, planting, reducing litter, and improving bicycle and hiking trails. Visitors can view the exhibit free of charge from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through August.

Cindi Cope, chair of the Fayetteville in Bloom project, will provide banners from the Washington County 4-H Youth Development, posters from the Fayetteville Schools Green Teams, signs from Heritage Trail Partners and Litter Free Zone Schools, and receptacles for recycled materials and trash.

Items on display will reflect the America in Bloom judging criteria: tidiness, environmental efforts, urban forestry, community involvement, floral displays, heritage preservation, turf and ground cover, and landscaped areas.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas will host the event as part of its ongoing commitment to provide engaging learning and enrichment opportunities for people age 50 years and older. The Osher Institute is part of a national network housed at 119 institutions of higher education and supported through grants from the Bernard Osher Foundation, based in San Francisco, Calif.

For more information about the reception or classes and programs offered, visit the Osher institute Web site at www.olli.uark.edu or call Kathleen Dorn at 479-575-4545.