Residents at Lake Panorama are still recovering from the Mother’s Day Storm that rocked Guthrie County a little more than a month ago.

But to help with the healing process, a couple of residents have organized a tribute this Sunday afternoon at Sunset Beach, in which residents will gather to plant flowers and share stories.

Event organizers Therese Davis and Nancy Tinnean say the flower planting is a direct tribute to their neighbors Courtney and Dilma Allen, whose home was devastated by a tornado the night of May 11.

The Allens have long planted and cared for the flowers that all lake residents enjoy at Sunset Beach, and Tinnean says Sunday’s tribute idea has been very well received.

“Even though we originally planned (the tribute) just for our neighborhood, anyone who wants to stop that afternoon is welcome to come.  It will be from 2 to 4pm, and we’ve asked people to bring some gardening tools or whatever they think might be helpful for the planting.  We’re providing iced tea, coffee and lemonade… I guess when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.”

The Lake Panorama Association says it will match any of the flower or monetary donations collected during Sunday’s tribute to the Allens.

Therese Davis says she’s excited for the tribute gathering because “it will help all of (her) neighborhood continue to heal,” but she says it is only fitting that a man like Courtney Allen be recognized in some way.

Davis says Mr. Allen simply “represents what Iowa and Guthrie County are all about.”

To hear about Sunday’s Lake Panorama tribute to the Allen’s in more detail, tune-in to today’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program for our full conversation with Nancy Tinnean during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on K107.