May flowers are springing up along the downtown boulevard on Willis Avenue thanks to volunteers Tom Stokely and Dave Wright, who spearhead the annual beautification efforts.
With help from fellow Perry volunteers Jackie Svetly, Dean Stumbo and others and with increased funding this year from private donors and the Perry-Area Chamber of Commerce hotel-motel taxes, the plots look more lush than ever, and the project is expanding to include the large stone planters along Second Street.
“This used to cost Tom and I $500 each,” Wright said Saturday, “but we’ve gotten some help this year. Things work a lot better when everybody pitches in.”
The red, white and blue flower scheme will complement the holiday flags sold by the Perry Lions Club and the Perry Optimist International Club. The May 25 Memorial Day holiday will be the first flying of the new city-wide flags.