Main Street flowers

It’s been said that April showers bring May flowers, but on Main Street in Center Moriches, it’s the hardworking members and volunteers of the Downtown Center Moriches Beautification Organization who are responsible for the flowering baskets that adorn the decorative streetlamps lining the sidewalks of the bucolic downtown. Since its establishment in 2007, this organization has made sure that Main Street is beautified with seasonal flowers, which the organization says helps create a welcoming atmosphere.

But the job comes with its challenges, said organization officials Mark Danowski and Gerry Sapanaro, noting that the flower baskets don’t hang themselves, water themselves, or pay for themselves. Both agree the program may be taken for granted, with folks not realizing what goes on behind the scenes to make it a success.

With an annual budget of $5,000, flowers are usually purchased from Kurt Weiss Nurseries at a wholesale price; the nursery also hangs and removes the baskets on Main Street. Weekly maintenance is provided by volunteers, who water them throughout the seasons in a golf cart purchased by the organization through a Suffolk County grant some years ago.

Over the years, beautification members have brainstormed ideas to raise money to help offset the cost of the flower basket program, from direct mailings to a music bingo fundraising event. And while donations have been collected, members maintain that there’s never enough to fully fund the program, especially with escalating costs.

The current fundraiser is a raffle for a wheelbarrow stocked with wine, gifts from local stores and lotto tickets, a value of $500, that is on display in the window of Allstate Insurance on Main Street. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at Main Street businesses and shops that will have a flyer in the window. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.moricheschamber.org. The raffle will be drawn at the annual Spring Fair & Festival on Sunday, June 11.

Despite the challenges, the organization remains committed to its mission to beautify Main Street, a mission that could not be done without volunteers, said Danowski. “These volunteers are your friends and your neighbors,” he emphasized.

The Hart family of Center Moriches has been part of the watering crew for the last four years, said mom, Mary. They got involved after her children saw the golf cart on Main Street one day, and thinking it was cool, said, “We want to do that.” After an inquiry to Danowski, the Harts became volunteers and the watering became a family affair.

“To give back just a little time to our beautiful community. The flowers make Main Street come alive and brighten up our little town,” said Hart.

Lifelong Center Moriches resident and Center Moriches High School art teacher, Laura DeJohn, couldn’t agree more.

“When I turn onto Main Street and see the beautiful flowers hanging from the lampposts, it just puts a huge smile on my face,” DeJohn said.

To learn more about how to support the Beautification Organization and become a volunteer, visit www.moricheschamber.org.