New Digs For The Auburn Hills Perennial Exchange

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Community Development Executive Assistant

Gardeners from Auburn Hills and twelve surrounding communities met last Saturday morning for their annual rite of spring – the Auburn Hills Perennial Exchange.  This year, the Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) hosted the exchange on the back patio of the Auburn Hills Community Center – which provided a beautiful green, wooded backdrop.

To kick-off the planting/gardening season, participants received a gift bag filled with gardening goodies including flower seed packets and gardening gloves.  First-time attendees enjoyed talking with experienced gardeners to gain insight on the types of plants available, recommended planting environments and invasive species to avoid.

The Perennial Exchange is an annual event held by the BAC on the third Saturday of May.  Mark your calendars to take part in this fun and free event next year!

Is It Spring Yet?

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Community Development Executive Assistant

The unseasonably warm weather this week gave southeast Michigan a little taste of Spring.  It’s a good reminder that it won’t be long before we begin prepping our lawns, gardens and outdoor areas for fun in the sun.

It seems fitting that last night the Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) started planning their programs and events for 2018, the first of which is the Auburn Hills Perennial Exchange, which will be held on Saturday, May 19th from 9am to 11am.

The BAC is excited to announce that the exchange will be held in a new location this year at the Auburn Hills Community Center on the City’s municipal campus.  Mark your calendars for this springtime tradition which has been going strong for over 25 years.   Check back for event details as the weather gets warmer and Think Spring!

Beautification Winners Selected

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Community Development Executive Assistant

The Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) met this week to review nominations for the City’s Beautification Awards Program.  Forty-eight residential and commercial properties were selected and will be honored this year at the Beautification Awards Banquet in late September.

The winning properties all have something in common – residents and business owners who care and take pride in creating healthy and inviting spaces.

Their efforts are recognized by the BAC because they help make Auburn Hills a beautiful city for all to enjoy.

Gardeners Brave Chilly Weather At Perennial Exchange Event

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Community Development Executive Assistant

The unseasonably cool weather last Saturday did not deter dedicated gardeners from gathering in River Woods Park for the Auburn Hills Perennial Exchange.  Auburn Hills residents and neighbors from 18 surrounding communities took part in the event, hosted by the Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC).

The exchange offers an economical way to add variety and color to a garden and it’s a great way to pick up gardening tips and tricks.

The BAC welcomed many familiar faces – and some cute new little ones – to the Exchange this year

Beautification Advisory Commission (left to right) Karen Lewis; City Councilman, Bob Kittle; BAC Secretary, Carla Withers and BAC Vice Chair, Pattie Ormsbee

If you weren’t able to attend this year, we welcome you to stop by next Spring.  Details of City events can always be found on www.auburnhills.org.

Beautification Award Winners Selected Soon

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

The Auburn Hills Beautification Commission (BAC) is prepping for their largest annual event – the City’s Beautification Awards program.  Over 100 homes and businesses were nominated for a Beautification Award again this year.   Why award residents and businesses for taking care of their properties?  Why give awards for “curb appeal”?  Because clean, manicured and attractive homes and buildings matter.

Well maintained buildings, houses and gardens add value to the community.  The effort expended in beautification activities results in increased property values, the elimination of eyesores and helps turn community health and safety liabilities into community assets.

Beautification winners will be notified in early September.  The BAC would like to thank all of our friends and neighbors in Auburn Hills for their nominations this year.  In this type of program, everyone wins.

Beautification Award Call For Entries

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Auburn Hills is a beautiful city.  Our rolling landscapes host a variety of impressive commercial, retail and residential properties.  Throughout the year, the City’s Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) works to promote the importance of beautification efforts through a series of programs and events.

The Beautification Advisory Commission (from left to right) Ilene Ingram, Celeste Yoskovich, Pattie Ormsbee, City Councilman Bob Kittle, Rich Foster, new member Carla Withers and Karen Lewis at River Woods Park during the 2016 Perennial Exchange.

The BAC knows that attractive properties don’t just happen.  Creating inviting landscapes require thought, planning and implementation.  Lots of implementation. The care and feeding of our buildings, homes, lawns and gardens takes considerable time, effort and resources.  To recognize those efforts, the BAC is calling for nominations for the 2016 Beautification Awards.

A portion of a winning landscape in 2015

Residents and business owners may nominate themselves and/or their neighbors for an award.  Winners are invited to attend the Beautification Awards Dinner held at the Auburn Hills Community Center in the fall.

Centerpieces and mum plants are raffled off to Beautification Award winners in 2015.

To learn more about the Beautification Awards or to nominate a property, send an email to beautification@auburnhills.org.  Take part in making Auburn Hills a beautiful place to live, work and play!

Beautification Efforts Honored This Week

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

The beautiful fall weather this week was a perfect backdrop for the City’s Beautification Awards Dinner held Wednesday evening.   Eighty residents and businesses were honored by the Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) for their exceptional efforts in creating colorful and inviting landscapes and gardens.  A slide show of the winning properties highlighted the dedication, creativity and enthusiasm it takes to create these enviable addresses.

Before dinner was served, the honorees enjoyed hearing from Mayor, Kevin McDaniel and visiting with City Council Members, Henry Knight, Cheryl Verbeke, Maureen Hammond and VeRonica Mitchell.

One of the winning landscapes found in Auburn Hills’ neighborhoods

As an added treat, large, fall-colored mum plants and each of the table centerpieces, shown below, were raffled off to 31 lucky award winners after dinner.

The BAC would like to thank all the participants in the 2015 Beautification Awards Program and encourages everyone in Auburn Hills to take part in making Auburn Hills a beautiful place to live, work and grow!

Information on this and other BAC programs can be found throughout the year in the Auburn Hills Review, the seasonal newsletter and community program guide for the City of Auburn Hills.

And The Award Goes To…

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Creating beautiful landscaping is no easy task.  Whether you’re a green-thumb gardener or a backyard beginner, gardening takes considerable time, money and effort.

The Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) understands the dedication it takes to create and maintain beautiful surroundings for our homes and businesses and they honor that effort through the City’s  Beautification Awards Program.  Nominations are now being accepted for a 2015 Beautification Award.

Lush landscapes throughout the City help preserve neighborhood integrity and create an enviable environment for business

Up to 80 residential and commercial properties are selected as winners and those residents or representatives are invited to participate in the Beautification Awards Dinner, held at the Auburn Hills Community Center in late September.

The BAC invites you to nominate a neighbor, a business or even your own property!  To submit your nomination send an email to beautification@auburnhills.org or call 248.364.6946.  No photos please!  Entries will be accepted until July 12, 2015.

Students Lend A Hand To “Keep It Clean”

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Four members of the City’s Beautification Advisory Commission participated in a Keep it Clean, road-side clean up last Saturday morning and invited some industrious youngsters along to take part and dig in.

BAC Members, back row, left to right –  Pattie Ormsbee, Rich Foster, Celeste Yoskovich and Cheryl Verbeke.  Student volunteers, front row, from left to right – Owen (15) from Eton Academy, Carl (11) from Deerfield Elementary and Chloe (7), Haley (9) and Dalia (10) are all from Lakeville Elementary.

These students are not strangers to community service.  From raking leaves for elderly homeowners, to working in soup kitchens, these kids have already learned that giving back is good.

The clean-up took place on the east side of Baldwin Road between Great Lakes Crossing Drive and South Vista Drive.

A big thank you to City Councilperson, Cheryl Verbeke; BAC Chairman, Rich Foster; Vice-Chair, Celeste Yoskovich;  former BAC Chairperson, Patricia Ormsbee and our wonderful students.

Click here for more information on the Keep It Clean program and learn how you and/or your company can get involved.

Perennial Exchange This Saturday

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Gardeners, gather your goods.  It’s time to trade!  The Auburn Hills Perennial Exchange is this Saturday, May 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at River Woods Park.

This event, hosted by the Beautification Advisory Commission, is a great opportunity to gather new varieties of plants for your garden – for free!  Meet other gardeners, learn more about perennial plants from a Master Gardener and participate in a great gift raffle.  Light refreshments (sweet treats) provided.

Before the event, separate selected perennials from your garden, put them in disposable containers with fresh soil and label them with the plant type, if known.  It’s also helpful to indicate whether the plant thrives in sun or shade.   At the Exchange, mix and mingle with fellow gardeners to trade plant types and voilá!  New plants to spice up your garden!

Hope to see you this Saturday, rain or shine.  Remember … the early bird gets the worm!

Dedicated To Making Auburn Hills Beautiful

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

What makes Auburn Hills beautiful?  I think our parks, the blooming trees Downtown, the manicured landscaping of our incredible businesses and our residents who take great pride in their homes all play a part in creating this truly beautiful city.

Our City Council understands the need to be intentional in beautification efforts and supports that idea through our Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC).

The 2015 Beautification Advisory Commission – from left to right – Ilene Ingram, Karen Lewis, Celeste Yoskovich, Rich Foster, Cheryl Verbeke and Linda Hogan

Our 2015 BAC Commission Members are a creative, diverse and dedicated group that works to encourage our residents and business to take an active role in the beautification of their properties.

The BAC’s annual Perennial Exchange is coming up on Saturday, May 16th.  This event invites our residents and friends from other communities to swap perennial plants to add new variety to their gardens for free.

In June, the BAC calls for nominations for the City’s Beautification Awards program.  Residents may nominate themselves, their neighbors and Auburn Hills businesses for a Beautification Award.  Winners receive an award and are invited to attend the Beautification Awards Dinner held at the Auburn Hills Community Center in the fall.

The group also participates in the Beautification Council of Southeastern Michigan (BCSEM), the City’s “Keep It Clean” Program, and works on special projects including the City’s lamppost banner program that adds a touch of outdoor color in every season.

The BAC encourages and welcomes active participation in all of their events and programs as they work to make Auburn Hills a beautiful place.

Happy New Year!

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Holiday lights continue to brighten Auburn Hills this holiday season as over 170 residents received acknowledgement from the Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) for their festive outdoor holiday lighting displays.

The BAC’s “Light up the Night” campaign provides an opportunity for the Commission to reach out and thank residents for making Auburn Hills a beautiful place to live, work and play.  Commitment, not to just maintaining properties but taking the time to improve and beautify them, is what helps create healthy neighborhoods with a real sense of place.

If you haven’t already participated in  BAC programs, 2015 will be a great year to get involved!  In the spring, The BAC sponsors the City’s Perennial Exchange event.  It’s free and open to anyone that would like to trade some of their plants for new and different varieties.

Trading Plants at the Perennial Exchange

In the summer, the Beautification Awards Program is open to both residents and businesses.  Take part by nominating a property you admire or nominate your own home or business for an award!  Stay tuned for details as the events draw closer.

Beautification Awards Dinner 2014

The Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission wishes all a very healthy, happy and beautiful new year!

Light Up Auburn Hills!

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

There’s nothing like the warmth and glow of holiday lights on a cold winter night.

Auburn Hills Tree Lighting

In celebration of the season, the Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) encourages residents to Light Up Auburn Hills! 

The BAC will be sending out notes to select residents for exceptionally beautiful holiday lighting displays this season to let them know they’ve been noticed and that their efforts are appreciated.

The City also plans to light up Downtown Auburn Hills on Friday, December 5th as hundreds of families celebrate the 21st annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.  This joyous festival is a free family fun event.  Join Mayor McDaniel, members of City Council and special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus as they welcome the holiday season and light up the enormous Christmas tree on the corner of Squirrel and Auburn Roads.

So, enjoy the beauty of the City of Auburn Hills this holiday season!

A Beautiful Celebration

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Beautification is an integral part of a vital community.  It’s what strengthens a neighborhoods’ integrity and makes public spaces inviting and comfortable.  It defines a community and draws people in.

The City’s Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) honored 88 residents and businesses last week for their exceptional beautification efforts.  These honorees enjoyed dinner and received an award along with gifts including fresh flowers, mum plants, and a book as a thank you for making their properties look attractive.

The event gave residents and business representatives a chance to mingle together and meet City leaders including new City Manager Tom Tanghe and VeRonica Mitchell, Henry Knight, and Maureen Hammond of the Auburn Hills City Council.

The BAC would like to thank everyone involved in the event and would encourage the participation of all residents and businesses in next year’s program.  Together, we make the City of Auburn Hills not only a beautiful place we enjoy but a sought after destination that encourages growth and development.

Happy planting!

A Beautiful City Starts With A Plan

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

The Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission (BAC) gathered this past week to kick off their 2014 program year.  The seven member group welcomed two fresh, new faces: Cheryl Verbeke, Auburn Hills City Council member and Ilene Ingram, resident and five-time Beautification Award winner!

Trading Plants at the Perennial Exchange

The group discussed how to enhance their existing programs and implement new ones.  One of their most popular is the Perennial Exchange.  This free event is held on the third Saturday in May and is open to anyone interested in exchanging their extra perennial plants for new varieties.  It’s a great way to meet neighbors and other gardening enthusiasts and diversify your garden at no cost.

Beautification Awards Ceremony

The Beautification Awards Program recognizes residents and businesses for exceptional efforts in landscaping.  Nominations will be accepted on-line this year and yes, self-nominations are allowed and encouraged.  Winners will be invited to attend the award ceremony held in late Summer or early Fall.

The BAC programs strive to bring neighbors and businesses together in the shared interest of strengthening and enhancing our City.  The group looks forward to 2014 and wishes all a beautiful New Year!

Watch for more information on the BAC’s programs in the newly redesigned Auburn Hills Review and on-line at http://www.auburnhills.org/.

Green Thumbs, Unite!

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

The City’s annual rite of spring has blossomed into a trading extravaganza for gardeners.

On Saturday, May 18^th, the Auburn Hills Beautification Advisory Commission will host the 22^nd Annual, Perennial Flower Exchange.  It is open to anyone interested in exchanging their extra perennial plants for new and different varieties.

Rain or shine, residents and friends from neighboring communities participate in this free event. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or backyard beginner, the exchange is an economical and fun way to diversify a garden.

It’s a great opportunity to meet other gardening enthusiasts, partake in complimentary baked goods, try your luck in a gift raffle and have questions answered by a Master Gardener.  To help us celebrate, our Downtown Merchants are offering specials that are sure to draw you Downtown before and after the exchange.  We welcome you to join us at the beautiful River Woods Park pavillion!

Happy gardening!

The “Fab” Places of Auburn Hills

Posted by – Elizabeth Brennan, Executive Assistant

Award Winner

Have you ever watched the program Curb Appeal on HGTV?

Homes on that TV show are transformed from drab to fab with just small landscaping efforts and exterior improvements.  The “after” shots show dramatically improved properties.

While not everyone gets on TV for their exceptional efforts in real life, the City’s Beautification Advisory Commission reaches out to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the exceptional efforts of our residents and businesses who create beautiful “curb appeal” for their properties right here in Auburn Hills.  It’s a terrific program.

The Beautification Awards Banquet, held in late September, honored 75 families and businesses this year with over 150 people in attendance.   The honorees gathered to receive their award plaques, enjoy dinner, see a slide show of all the winning properties, and participate in a raffle of gardening items and mum plants.

City Manager Pete Auger speaks to the award winners at the celebration

The Beautification Awards Dinner is one of many programs that make Auburn Hills a great community.

This special event allowed residents to connect with each other, trade tips, and talk with City officials.  It was fun to honor these folks as they play a critical role in preserving the integrity of our neighborhoods and setting a positive example for others.  We hope to see you there next year!