By RENE’ DAY / Community Columnist

Up until several years ago, I had never heard of the Pantone Color Institute. My guess is that most of you are not familiar with it now. Located in New Jersey, this institution is known for the color matching system used in industry to ensure that companies get proprietary use of a certain color or combination of colors. For instance, the red associated with all Coke products, the yellow we see at McDonald’s or the bright orange on U-Haul trucks. Each of these companies had their logo color matched in the Pantone system to ensure that each time it’s printed or painted, the color is always the same.

Sounds great if you own a business – or a Fortune-500 company. But how does that relate to your daily life?

In 2000, the Pantone Institute began selecting a color for each year. Pantone states that “color has always been an integral part of how a culture expresses the attitudes and emotions of the times.”

The Pantone color for 2017 is “Greenery.”

Why green? Pantone gave this explanation: “Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for amid a tumultuous social and political environment.”

Now, any artist or interior designer will vouch for the impact color can have in our lives. But, if “Greenery” can give that kind of reassurance … then, “Yes, please!”

Fortunately, greenery is not difficult to find in Shelby County. Spring is upon us and there are shades of green wherever we look.

School systems in the area will be enjoying Spring Break soon, and if you are looking for green places to visit – you have a terrific selection from which to choose.

Get your “Greenery” on at Oak Mountain State Park, the American Village or any one of a number of terrific community parks like Alabaster’s Veteran’s or Heardmont on Cahaba Valley Road.

With the walking and running trails, beautiful flowers and trees and water features, you are sure to find something to sooth the soul and rejuvenate the body.

If you would rather bring a little greenery home with you – you are in luck too! Our communities offer an amazing selection of nurseries with all sorts of beautiful shrubs and flowers – and plenty of good advice and information – to make your own yard an oasis.

If you haven’t visited Meyer’s Plants and Pottery in Pelham – you’ve missed a treat! Or, take a little drive down to Cedar Creek Nursery in Montevallo. You can visit the nursery, a gift shop and an antique shop located in a re-constructed log cabin.

Helena Landscape Supply and Nursery is another terrific place to visit and it isn’t far from home.

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas around. During this spring season, be sure to take a few moments and enjoy the nature just outside your front door. In Shelby County, 2017’s “Greenery” is everywhere.