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 fifty 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 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.
It is a month-long festival of art shows, concerts, garden tours, health and exercise programs, fairs and markets presented to make people feel good about living, working, shopping, and spending leisure time as they celebrate the spirit that is Montclair.
College Women's Club of Montclair
Moline Kronberg Cleaners
Montclair Women's Club
Town Auto Body
Woman's Club of Upper Montclair
Anonymous
Frances Adams
In memory of Jean Kidd
Gene Bloch
In memory of Joan and Jean and Duncan
Gerald and Linda Blume
Carol Brown
In memory of Jean Kidd and Betty Dallery
Robert and Ellen Campbell
Dedicated to Catherine Howe
Deana and Robert Campion
In memory of Jean Kidd
Terrance and Charlene Connolly
Susann and Jim Connors
Michael and Eileen Diaz
Helman Frank Family
Blaine and Lynda Frantz
Alica and Peter Giuffra
Lisanne Renner and Adam Grace
Gloria and Ralph Grieco
Donna and Jim Hains
In dedication to Susan Moore
Peter and Deborah Hirsch
In dedication to The Garden Club of Montclair
Eric and Diana von Hoffmann
In loving memory of Anne von Hoffman
Sharon Hurwich
In memory of Elaine Rapaport
Rosemary Iversen
Robert and Cheryl Jackson
Carolyn Lack
In memory of Jean Kidd
Patricia LaDuca
James & Josephine LaDuca
Councilor Carmel Loughman
Christina Mayer and Kevin Cooney
Robert & Peggy McMillan
Dedicated to Mary Graham McMillan
Joyce Michaelson
In memory of Jean Kidd
Jory and Deborah Miller
Janet Orr
Cynthia and John Rogers
Marcia S. Rogers
Barbara Rudy and Douglas Conway
Denise and Paul Silverman
The Stocks Family Fund
Derek Stordahl and Jody Suden
Sarah Stransky and Robin Vitullo
Honoring Celia Radek
Patty and Tage Strom
Marjorie and Monroe Tenner
Michele Tomasik
Michele and Cal Trevenen
In memory of Jean Kidd
Judy and Bill Turner
Sharon Burton Turner and Lincoln Turner
Leslie and Barry Wiesner
Hal and Brigitte Wolkoff
