Midland Blooms began as a dream—one that took root in the mind of Betty Toller, chair of the Midland Beautification Committee, and grew into a beloved community tradition. In 1986, Betty shared her vision with a young and eager Stacey Gannon, fresh out of Leadership Midland, and together they set out to bring Charlevoix’s flower-lined streets to Midland.

"I had just completed Leadership Midland, and Betty approached me with this idea. She had seen how Charlevoix had flowers along their main drag and wanted to create something similar here. I was ready to take on a project, so we traveled to Charlevoix, studied their process, and started building a plan for Midland Blooms," Stacey recalls.

The journey was not without obstacles. "There were naysayers who thought it wouldn’t work, but we pushed forward. The first year, we had close to 1,000 volunteers come out to plant flowers. It was a labor of love, and seeing so many people come together was incredible." From logistical challenges—like ensuring safe planting, organizing volunteers, and calculating how many flats of flowers were needed—to securing funding, the effort was massive. But the passion behind it ensured its success.

Over the years, Midland Blooms has continued to flourish, with businesses, organizations, and families making it a tradition. "The feedback is always positive," Stacey says. "I’ve had people at events like the Dow Championship stop me and say how beautiful it is. It’s become a defining feature of our city, and people notice it."

Midland Blooms’ evolution has been a testament to the community’s dedication. "People are passionate about it—even down to the choice of flowers! When we transitioned from petunias to marigolds, there was quite a debate. But that just shows how much people care," Stacey laughs.

Looking to the future, Stacey hopes the program remains self-sustaining. "We need to continue growing the endowment so that Midland Blooms thrives for years to come. Corteva stepping up as a main sponsor has been amazing, but we need continued support. If people love this project, I encourage them to contribute through the MBA."

For Stacey, Midland Blooms is more than a beautification project—it’s a reflection of the city’s spirit. "For over 35 years, we’ve seen generations grow up planting these flowers. Parents who once participated as children now bring their own kids. It’s an incredible neighborly tradition and a catalyst for other beautification projects."

As we approach Give Local on May 6th, brought to you by the Midland Area Community Foundation, Stacey’s story reminds us why Midland Blooms matters. It’s about more than flowers—it’s about community, connection, and pride. Let’s keep this tradition thriving.

Keep Blooming!