A series of events dubbed “Orange in Bloom” will take place throughout the city this spring. Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will open next month after much anticipation, and the Stark Museum of Art will commemorate this opening with a special exhibition titled Celebrate Shangri La. The Art in the Park festival will be back for a spring showing, and the W.H. Stark House will welcome two world-class speakers for its recurring W.H. Stark House Lecture Series. In addition, the Lutcher Theater will offer the best in entertainment with a variety of shows for both children and adults.
With so much excitement, this spring is a wonderful time to be in Orange. While much has been done to prepare for these events and the guests who will soon make their way to the city, there is still much you can do to ensure this “unveiling” of Orange is a success.
First, you can start making plans to attend as many events as possible. Visit WatchOrangeGrow.com to learn all the details about when and where they will take place. Not only will you enjoy an array of premier cultural events, you’ll also show your pride in your community by supporting the organizations behind these events.
Next, you can help Orange make a great first impression by keeping your yard and roadways clean. You can go a step further by picking up any trash you see while you’re out and about. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even add some spring landscaping to your yard.
Finally, you can continue to “plant the seed” in the weeks building up to these events. Tell your friends and family about all the activities around town. Invite your out-of-town acquaintances to come see what Orange is all about. Make it a goal to tell at least ten people about “Orange in Bloom.”
By attending the events, keeping your neighborhood clean and beautiful, and spreading the word about activities around town, you will be doing your part to help Orange grow into the region’s top destination for culture, community, and fun. You will be making a difference in the future of Orange.
This message was also printed in the February 20, 2008, issue of The Orange Leader by guest columnist Nikki Sumrow. You can read a new column each Wednesday in The Orange Leader discussing the latest Orange events and activities. If you would like to suggest a topic for a future column, please contact me at nikki.sumrow@imaginuity.com.
