Beautiful Berwick aims to capitalize on apple past

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

Berwick is looking to offer residents and visitors a barrel of fun – that is, if the community gets behind a campaign to beautify the town with a heritage-and-art combined theme.

“Apple barrels – we’re taking part of the town’s history, our history, and bringing it back and preserving it and making it useful again,” says David Keddy, the economic development coordinator.

He’s been working with Kentville artist Rachel Reeve on designs and promotion of specially-painted apple barrels, which will be placed around the town with flowers and used as displays at other times of the year.

“It’s part of the beautification plans for Berwick,” Keddy says. “We’re looking at small steps: get on board with this, encourage people to cut their grass, have some flowers, maybe plant some apple trees. We’ll make it a community effort.”

He’s eyeing the national Communities in Bloom project, and says it wouldn’t be too far to aim for entry next year if plans come to fruition over the next few months.

In the meantime, Reeve has painted several barrels already, with apple blossoms, trees, apples and her signature, lady bugs, for her art business, Ladybird Art.

“They can be design-specific, say, to a business, or there could be organizations out there who’d like to have one with their design and backing, or people who even want to do it themselves,” she says, adding she’s willing to work with people on design ideas, the initial work – or do it all and deliver a finished barrel.

“We’re looking for money, for some partners who want to get behind this,” Keddy says.

For info, contact Reeve at 365-2165, or Keddy at 538-5633.