Melissa Bohl of Lamar attends international floral competition in Italy

At its most recent meeting, the Lamar Rotary Club enjoyed a presentation by Melissa Bohl, owner of Thoughts in Bloom in Lamar.  Melissa was honored to be selected as one of four floral designers to represent Team USA in the town of  Leverano in Fiore, Italy this spring for the 43rd annual “Leverano in Fioro” festival. The open air event transformed the town’s historic center into a living botanical art gallery with hundreds of floral arrangements, bouquets, and nursery-gardening decorating the town’s medieval alleys, balconies and public squares.  The theme of this year’s event was “Connessioni”, translated to “Connections” in English.  Africa.

One of the highlights of the event is “Arte Florando”, the international floral art competition, featuring master florists and contestants from around the globe.  This year’s edition of the event heavily emphasized inclusion and charity, supporting a solidarity project dedicated to refugee children in Uganda and South Africa. The event draws thousands of people from all over the world.

Melissa has also spent the last several years participating in and helping to design and assemble various floats for the annual Rose Bowl Parade.

By: Barbara Crimond