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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Do you put a lot of hard work into making your lawn beautiful or know someone that does?

The Ottumwa Area of Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Month program is now underway for 2012.  Nominations are now being accepted through April 25 for the May Yard of the Month Award.

“Over the past three to four years we've seen some amazing landscaping, some amazing lawns, a lot of hard work and it is just absolutely rewarding to go over and actually recognize folks, put a sign in their yard, give them a nice plaque, give them some local prizes from some of the local retailers and vendors here in town,” said Terry McNitt, executive director of Ottumwa Area Chamber of Commerce.

Judges will be looking for landscapes that are pleasing to the eye and creativity is a big plus! This is a way to recognize those that help make Ottumwa look pretty.

“And so hopefully, you know, when somebody sees a Yard of the Month sign out front, they'll see how nice that lawn looks. It becomes a contagious infectious disease and everybody will want to try to compete with each other, kind of like some of the neighborhoods you see that are competing in Christmas lights. It just becomes contagious,” said McNitt.

Applications to nominate yourself or someone else are available at the Chamber Office at 217 East Main St. The winner will be announced at the beginning of May.