Patriotic planters — City backs cleanup operations ahead of celebrations
Photo by Walter Sprague/NLJ A coal car, decorated with a patriotic theme and sponsored by The American Legion Monroe Bland Post No. 3, stands outside of the post office on Newcastle’s Main Street for the 250th birthday celebration of the United States.
Patriotic planters honoring the branches of the U.S. military have been installed throughout Newcastle as part of community efforts to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary and welcome visitors to town.
During the June 15 Newcastle City Council meeting, Dirt Daubers Garden Club member Bernie Terry said the club was contacted by the American Legion to create special displays representing each military branch. Four of the planters are located at the Four-Way Stop, while additional displays have been placed at Decker’s Market and the Newcastle Post Office.
Most of the landscaping around town features red, white and blue plantings in recognition of the anniversary celebration, Terry said.
Terry also asked the city to help clean up the four-way stop area, repair lighting that once illuminated the “Welcome to Newcastle” sign and consider additional patriotic decorations before the Fourth of July and the arrival of The Moving Wall, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that will be displayed Aug. 13-17.
City officials said they would review right-of-way restrictions and work with the garden club on potential decorations. Council members voiced support for the effort, noting the importance of creating an attractive welcome for visitors traveling through the community.
The council unanimously approved a motion supporting the garden club’s cleanup and decorating efforts and authorized city staff and resources to assist with the project.
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