There’s a cliché that states a chain is as strong as its weakest link. Taking a theme and variation to that sentiment could be a community is only as strong as its members’ participation.

That said the reaction to the recent Ironton In Bloom’s decorative Christmas container contest shows that Ironton has a strong and caring community willing to go above and beyond to make the city an attractive and gracious place.

Ironton has long benefited from the work of IIB’s volunteers, starting with the summertime flower baskets and the fall container contest. In fact, the work of IIB has extended to the Tri-State, as the main street of Ashland each summer now is decked out in blooming hanging baskets.

This Christmas was the start of what we hope will become a tradition where individuals or groups “adopt” a large-size container and let their creativity go wild.

Winners of the contest were Christ Episcopal Church in first place; employees from Lawrence County Common Pleas Court and Liberty Bank.

Talitha Patterson, one of the court employees who created a gigantic snowman for their container, said it best .

“This is an easy way to give back to the community,” she said. “It’s not time consuming, not a lot of money invested. It helps the city of Ironton to look great.”

What could be better sentiments?