~ News from Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee ~

  • October 12, 2011. MBRC Receives “President Plaque” Award from Keep Michigan Beautiful, Inc.

    The Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee, Inc. received the President Plaque, the highest award given by Keep Michigan Beautiful, Inc. on October 12, 2011 in Grand Rapids, MI. MBRC was recognized for their latest project "Roundabout Razzmatazz," in which they adopted the U.S. 41 roundabout and incorporated it into their long-standing Petunia Pandemonium project, extending flowers planted along 0.8 mi of U.S. 41, the southern gateway to Marquette. Emily Lewis, President, and Barb Kelly, Vice President, traveled to Grand Rapids to the Meijer Gardens to attend the awards conference and make a presentation to the 140 guests. Mona Lang, executive director of the Marquette D.D.A., helped prepare the presentation and video "Marquette in the Twenty-first Century," which was produced by Bill Thum of Superior Productions. The President Plaque is the highest KMB award, given to an exceptional program, project or person exemplifying the goals of KMB, not always the biggest or most expensive program, but is unique, affecting a large number of people, and containing a large volunteer component. MBRC spent $11,000 on an irrigation system to water the roundabout and the adjacent grass areas. They prepared the soil, planted thousands of tulips and daffodils, planted 48 flats of annuals last summer, weeded, fertilized, watered and prepared the roundabout for winter. The Petunia Pandemonium project celebrated 23 years last summer and is part of M-Dot's "Adopt A Highway" program. MBRC plants and maintains thousands of annuals for five months each summer and picks up the litter, creating a beautiful gateway into City of Marquette along U.S. 41. Petunia Pandemonium has previously won awards from Keep Michigan Beautiful, Inc. and a hometown pride award of $1,000.00 from MIDWEST LIVING MAGAZINE.

  • September 22, 2010. MBRC was featured in a TV report about amending the soil for flower bulb and flower planting in the Spring, at Marquette's new roundabout South entry into the city. Click here, to view the report.

  • July 24, 2009. Some of the area’s most appealing gardens were opened to the community Thursday during the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee’s 16th annual garden tour. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • May 14, 2009. The Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee held its ninth annual Awards Luncheon on April 23 at the Landmark Inn. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • August 19, 2008. Wal-Mart presents grant - Wal-Mart presented a Local Community Grant to the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee Inc. to support the inaugural Garden Conference. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • July 30, 2008. MBRC receives support - Yvonne Dorais presents a $500 check from the late Millie Menze to Emily Lewis, president of the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee. The funds will be used to help clean up the hillside and plant 100 daffodil bulbs.Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • June 3, 2008. ‘Petunia’ volunteers deserve thanks. The Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee has done it again — brighten up the southern gateway to the city of Marquette with thousands of flowers. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • May 29, 2008. Flower planting marks 20th year. In the summer of 1988, Barbara Kelly and about 40 other volunteers worked steadily through a nasty thunderstorm planting petunias.... Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • May 15, 2008. Beautification & Restoration Committee holds eighth annual Awards Luncheon. The Marquette Beautification & Restoration Committee Inc. held its eighth annual Awards Luncheon April 24 at the Landmark Inn. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • April 8, 2008. MBRC to participate in Marquette's City-Wide Spring clean-Up. The 30th annual spring cleanup in the city of Marquette will be Saturday, April 26. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • March 30, 2008. Superiorland Yesterdays, 30 years ago. Making Marquette a beautiful place to live and then keeping it that way was the goal outlined by a group of 30 city residents. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • February 1, 2008 Beautification committee not sitting still. Congratulations go out to the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee, which this year marks its 30th anniversary. Full Story in The Mining Journal

  • January 29, 2008 Thirty years ago, as Marquette was trying to transform itself from an industrial town into a diverse tourist destination, a small group of people got together and decided to . . . Full Story in The Mining Journal

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