This is written in order to, in some small way, thank the many people who worked and donated to make our 2014 “Over The Backyard Fence” Garden Tour a success.

More than 100 people visited our fair city on June 22 and got a good look at some of the beautiful residential gardens many of us are not aware of because they are hidden from street view. Visitors from Portsmouth, Ashland, Ky. and Huntington, W.Va., as well as locals, enjoyed the self-guided tour.

A big thank you to those six hospitable families who fed, watered and pampered their yards with extra zeal this spring in anticipation of the tour.

Thanks to the museum trustees and docents who opened their doors and offered a gracious welcome, as well as free museum tours and refreshments. Special thanks to the Ironton Garden Club, especially Glen and Doris Hannon, for making the museum grounds lovely for the occasion.

Thanks to all those who donated homemade goodies and bottled water, and to the Ironton Hills McDonald’s for furnishing cold tea on a sweltering day. Thanks to the master gardeners, retired teachers and businesswomen (some who have a full workweek) for giving up their entire Sunday to host and give information at each residence.

Thanks to the mayor and city workers for putting up missing street signs at the last minute. Thanks to the Ashland Independent, the Ironton, Chesapeake and Proctorville Tribunes, the Lawrence Herald and the Herald-Dispatch for giving us excellent publicity and to WSAZ who came to film and conduct interviews for its news broadcast. Thanks to Weber’s Florists who gave away free fans.

Most of all thanks to the 100-plus visitors who did not let the hot day deter them, but came out to buy tickets and enjoy the tour. All proceeds go toward paying for the downtown floral display.

The garden tour is one more way to say, “We are proud of our town!”

Sincerely,

Ironton In Bloom Inc.