The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Gladioli Are Back In Berlin

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Workers planting gladioli bulbs in 1908 in a field where the Berlin Elementary School stands today. Gladioli are coming back to Berlin thanks to volunteers and community spirit. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.
Workers planting gladioli bulbs in 1908 in a field where the Berlin Elementary School stands today. Gladioli are coming back to Berlin thanks to volunteers and community spirit. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.

submitted by Don Calman
After our successful planting of one bed of gladioli in 2008, the local reaction to the beauty of the August flowers was so positive that we (Beautification of Berlin Committee) raised money from individuals and businesses in the Berlin community and surrounding areas to continue the project of lining the Route 22 corridor through Berlin with beds of gladioli… a symbolic representation of the original 19th and early 20th century displays of gladioli for which our town was renowned nationally. The gladioli business was begun by Arthur Cowee. In particular, we are appreciative of a very significant ongoing contribution received from the Stewart’s corporate office.

The workers who didn’t stay at the hotel or boarding house in May of 1908 camped out. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.
The workers who didn’t stay at the hotel or boarding house in May of 1908 camped out. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.

Our contributors’ donations, from mailed checks and/or collection boxes, enabled us to plant  seven (7) beds in 2009; all were planted during the extended Memorial Day weekend, and they should all flower in mid-August in a burst of various colors, each bed containing a different mix of colors.
The bed sites were offered by various individuals and/or groups: Bank of America (2008’s original bed), Charlie and the late Kathrin Hakes, Nancy and Joe Sweener, Mary Vincent, Berlin Town Garage, Berlin Fire House, Berlin Transfer Station.

A member of the prominent Streeters family of Berlin, c. 1908, is bedecked with recently picked gladioli. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.
A member of the prominent Streeters family of Berlin, c. 1908, is bedecked with recently picked gladioli. Photo courtesy of Don Calman.

All the labor and materials were donated: Duane Goodermote (Duane Goodermote), bed excavation; Rebekah Hartman (Hartland Designs), planting; Sharon Klein, site selection; Kyle Lamphere (Harvested Products), top soil and mulch; Jimmy Winn (Town Garage) and crew, site development and planting; Ivan Wager (Transfer Station) and crew, site development and planting; Roger Vincent, site development and planting.
We anticipate a beautiful mid-summer display of many-colored gladioli.