What were you doing in 1979? Watching the solar eclipse, disco dancing, or maybe using the first-ever DustBuster? In Montclair, some very special women were meeting for the first time. Their mission: to beautify the natural landscape of the town and celebrate the spirit of their community.
Betty Dallery and Jean Kidd were among the small group of residents with a simple, beautiful idea: plant bulbs in the fall and then, when the bulbs are blooming in the spring, distribute a calendar of special events around town. Donations from the residents would cover the cost of the bulbs and advertising from local businesses would pay for the publication. Now almost forty years later 'May in Montclair' remains a vital volunteer-driven initiative that beautifies the town and showcases the best of what the town has to offer.
Bulbs by the thousands are ordered in September, arrive by November, and Vice Chair Cyndee Rowan (whose children are fifth generation Montclairians) transforms her garage into the tulip/daffodil depot where committee members bag, label, and deliver to eager volunteers planters all over town - in schools, gardening groups, park conservancies, houses of worship, and in the business districts. From Canterbury to Tuers, and Kaveny Field to Edgemont, the town fills the flowerbeds for a spectacular spring display.
Volunteers are even more important this year than ever before. After forty years, the bulbs are
now funded SOLELY by tulip project donations.
Springtime events all around town continue to be showcased in the MIM website Calendar of Events.
Opening day ceremonies will take place in Watchung Plaza on May 1st. The school children's
musical performance will continue as a beautiful community celebration to kick off May in Montclair.
