DOWNTOWN CORNER `COLORIZED' WITH ROSES FROM VISION 2000

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Thanks to members of the First Presbyterian Church, everything's coming up roses at the corner of Broadway and North Spanish.

On Saturday, between 16-20 members took advantage of the pleasant weather and planted 235 Vision 2000 red and white roses. The roses were planted in three rose beds on the grassy lot owned by the church.

Last fall, the church youth and other members planted grass seed, small trees and 500 flower bulbs that are now starting to bloom.

"The way we have planned it, there will be color here throughout the year," said Carol Miller, a spokesperson for those working Saturday.

"During the summer, there will be red and white roses, and day lilies. In the fall, the leaves on the trees will turn colors. During the winter, the ivy and the hemlock evergreens will add color. In the spring, the flowers, tulip magnolias, redbud and dogwood trees will bloom."

Although it is a church project, Miller said results of the work will benefit everyone.

"We're doing it not only for the church but for the community as well," she said. "We hope to put some benches along the sidewalk on the east side of the church so people can sit down and enjoy the color and view throughout the year."

Another church member, Don Trueblood, noted, "We want the area to blend in with the courthouse park."

Miller said by improving the corner lot with roses, flowers, and other blooming plants, she hopes people in the downtown area, and in the rest of the city, will become actively involved in the Vision 2000 community improvement project.

Miller said the 185 red roses and 50 white roses were planted in three rose beds on the church property Saturday.

"All of them should start blooming in May, and continue through November," she said.

Miller said the roses are the same type of roses that are being planted throughout the city as part of the Vision 2000 project.

Other sites where Vision 2000 flowers and plants are located include Broadway and North Kingshighway, and the Interstate 55-Route K interchange.