2010 - 2014

2010

Millet in Bloom continued to compete at the national level of Communities in Bloom, though this year the town was entered into the non-competitive Circle of Excellence category open only to past Communities in Bloom winners. Millet's Main Street Floral Displays were given special recognition.

P1030085 - Floral displays along Main Street.

2011

On the afternoon of Monday, July 18th, 2011, Millet was devastated by a short but powerful hail storm. Over the course of 20 minutes, trees and gardens across town were flattened and several buildings lost their windows. Millet was also subject to flash flooding. To make matters worse, this devastation occurred a mere 10 days before Communities in Bloom judges were set to arrive.

64.2011.293, .298, .302 - a sudden hailstorm on July 18th, 2011 devastated Millet's gardens.

The hail storm made national news, and offers of help and donations began to pour in from businesses, clubs, and individuals across the region. These included: Visser, Arber, and Char-Mar Greenhouses; Prairie Rose Garden Centre; the Town of Calmar and the City of Leduc; the Millet Fire Department; various kids' clubs, including Millet Sparks and the Millet Minor Hockey Association; and over 100 community volunteers.

By Wednesday, July 20th, almost all cleanup had been completed, and replanting was finished by Thursday, July 21st. This extraordinary cleanup initiative was officially recognized by the Communities in Bloom committee at the convention in Quebec City, where Millet competed in the Circle of Champions. The circle of Champions category is open only to past winners of the population-based categories. Despite the daunting task laid out before them, Millet in Bloom members told the media that they had never once considered exiting the contest following the storm.

64.2011.316 - Visser Greenhouses were among the dozens of organizations that donated to help Millet rebuild its gardens.

PFJul281, 64.2011.327, 64.2011.319 - Hailstorm cleanup efforts attracted unprecedented levels of community volunteers. The hailstorm flattened gardens on a Monday, and by Thursday almost all cleanup and replanting had been completed.

2012

In 2012, Millet once again competed in the national Class of Champions Small Category, earning a special mention for Volunteer Recognition by Towns and Businesses.

Eleanor Pydde at the 2012 Communities in Bloom National Convention in Strathcona County. Millet earned a special mention for Volunteer Recognition by Towns and Businesses and competed in the elite Class of Champions category.

2013

Millet's Salute to the Troops was given special recognition in the Class of Champions, earning 5 out of a possible 5 Blooms from the judges at the ceremony held in Ottawa.

A64.2013.692 - Communities in Bloom judges Lucie Gagné and Bob Ivison are welcomed to Millet.

2014

One of the largest projects undertaken by Millet in Bloom in 2014 was the Pipestone Park Enhancement Project. The project involved planting saplings along the Pipestone Creek walking trail, as well as new benches and trash receptacles. The MIB team were assisted by SCIP (Serving Communities Internship Program) volunteers with the project.

A64.2014.943 - Sprucing up the path to the Cenotaph Garden at Pipestone Park.

A64.2014.1080 - Laying concrete pads for benchs at Pipestone Park.

A64.2014.965 - Planting trees at Pipestone Park.

At the Communities in Bloom awards ceremony in Charlottetown, PEI, Millet was awarded the Home Hardware Beauti-Tone Heritage Conservation Award as well as earning special recognition for the Pipestone Park Enhancement Project in the Class of Champions category.

A64.2014.1198 - Carol Sadoroszney accepting the Home Hardware Beauti-Tone Heritage Conservation Award on behalf of Millet in Bloom.

The Home Hardware Beauti-Tone Heritage Conservation Award, presented to the town of Millet.