Fabulous Flower Squad
Bemus Point residents spend summer beautifying village
From left to right, Flower Squad member Laurie Beaton, Village Trustee Maureen Stahley, and Squad member Keri Auer. Back row, from left to right: Flower Squad members Kathy Grace Anderson, Sharon Gustafson, and Joel Dahlberg from the Village of Bemus Department of Public Works, Tuesday morning. Missing is Flower Squad Team member Barbe Tordella. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee
From left, Village of Bemus Point Flower Squad members Keri Auer, Laurie Beaton, Sharon Gustafson and Kathy Grace Anderson in front of one of the many flower projects the team manages located at 13 Alburtus Ave., Tuesday morning. Missing is team member Barb Tordella. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee
From left to right, Flower Squad member Laurie Beaton, Village Trustee Maureen Stahley, and Squad member Keri Auer. Back row, from left to right: Flower Squad members Kathy Grace Anderson, Sharon Gustafson, and Joel Dahlberg from the Village of Bemus Department of Public Works, Tuesday morning. Missing is Flower Squad Team member Barbe Tordella. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee
From left, Village of Bemus Point Flower Squad members Keri Auer, Laurie Beaton, Sharon Gustafson and Kathy Grace Anderson in front of one of the many flower projects the team manages located at 13 Alburtus Ave., Tuesday morning. Missing is team member Barb Tordella. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee
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BEMUS POINT – The Village of Bemus Point has its own version of a superhero group.
Introducing the Flower Squad, a group of four women who live in the village and work part-time caring for, planting, watering and seeding the village's variety of flowers. The team consists of squad members Laurie Beaton, Kari Auer, Kathy Grace Anderson, Sharon Gustafson and Barb Tordella.
The team’s hard work has caught the village mayor’s eye – and has drawn heaps of praise.
"The team is wonderful," said Bemus Point Mayor Jeff Molnar. "While they are paid. ... It really is a labor of love for them, and they do an awesome job."
Molnar explained that the village purchased a multi-use side-by-side vehicle a few years ago to support the squad’s mission. Both the squad members and the employees of the village Department of Public Works seem to enjoy this newest addition to the village’s fleet.
"This vehicle is capable of supporting the water tank required by the team," stated Joel Dahlberg, a member of the Bemus Point Department of Public Works. "The previous golf cart they used for this purpose struggled to haul the water tank... it was really on its last leg."
According to Brittany Mulkins, the village town clerk and treasurer, the squad works exceptionally well together because they have a vested interest in their work and the friendships they have cultivated during the performance of their duties.
"It really isn’t a job for them (team); it’s more a labor of love,” she said. “I think the team really works well because they’re all residents, friends, and have a vested interest in the village."
Some of the "squad members" echoed Mulkins' statement.
"I really enjoy working for the village – with all my friends," said Laurie Beaton. "We often receive nice compliments from residents, tourists, and others while we’re working."
"I just do what Laurie tells me to do," said Keri Auer, laughingly.
To bring this initiative to life, the village's Beautification Committee, under the guidance of the Board of Trustees, took charge of the project.
"We needed to find the funding and get board approval," said Bemus Point Trustee Maureen Stahley.
Stahley explained that she and Trustee David Chertoff are both part of the Village's Beautification Committee.
The team takes care of 10 potted plants, eight hanging basket plants, and 14 flower beds throughout the village, said Beaton.
"I just can't say enough good things about our team," said Molnar. "They add so much to the character and beauty of our village."