‘May In Montclair’ Preps For 40th Anniversary

MONTCLAIR, NJ — It was the 1970s. Disco dancing was still hip. The Dustbuster was new to the market. And in Montclair, the women who would found the township’s annual “May In Montclair” celebration met for the first time to discuss a simple mission: beautify the natural landscape of the town and rejoice in the spirit of their community.

According to the May in Montclair committee, which is set to mark the group’s 40th anniversary in 2018:

“Betty Dallery and Jean Kidd were among the small group of residents with a simple, beautiful idea: plant bulbs in the fall and then, when the bulbs are blooming in the spring, distribute a calendar of special events around town. Donations from the residents would cover the cost of the bulbs and advertising from local businesses would pay for the publication. Now almost forty years later ‘May in Montclair’ remains a vital volunteer-driven initiative that beautifies the town and showcases the best of what the town has to offer.”

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Bulbs - by the thousands - are ordered in September and arrive by November. That’s when Vice Chair Cyndee Rowan - whose children are fifth generation Montclair residents - transforms her garage into the tulip/daffodil depot where committee members bag, label and deliver to volunteers planters all over town.

This year the goal is ambitious: 40,000 bulbs.

If the project sounds up your alley, there’s a way for everyone to participate, MIM Committee Chair Karen Shinevar said.

“Plant bulbs, make a tulip donation in honor of a loved one, list your May event in the calendar of events, or advertise your local business in the 40th anniversary Calendar of Events book,” Shinevar suggested.

Learn more at www.mayinmontclair.org.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo courtesy of Karen Shinevar

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