Catskill, New York
Latest News from America in Bloom

What's In This Issue?

Celebrating Communities
By Dr. Charlie Hall, AIB Past President

The AIB Symposium and Awards Program was held recently in Arroyo Grande, CA and, as usual, was attended by many passionate and enthusiastic folks. This small coastal town is an important horticultural region with exceptional public gardens, magnificent historic trees, innovative new green spaces, and picturesque natural landscapes.
 
Volunteers from states participating in the national awards program attended the symposium to celebrate the efforts their communities had achieved in preserving their local cultural heritage, enhancing the environmental aspects of their spaces, and, of course, beautifying their surroundings. It was an incredibly gratifying experience to watch their excitement in being recognized and affirmed! 

Of the numerous meetings I attend each year, this one is a favorite of mine. Keep reading to find out why.

America in Bloom Award Winners Announced

At the recent AIB symposium and awards program, many communities were presented with national awards to recognize excellence. Congratulations to all the communities that participated in the program this year.
 
Population Category Awards
  • Less Than 3,000 - Castle Rock, Washington
  • 3,000 - 5,000 - Lewisburg, West Virginia
  • 5,000 - 10,000 - Logan, Ohio
  • 10,000 - 14,000 - Morro Bay, California
  • 14,000 - 20,000 - Holliston, Massachusetts
  • 20,000 - 30,000 - Calabasas, California
  • 30,000 - 50,000 - Midland, Michigan
  • More than 50,000 - Lexington, Kentucky
  • Champions Category - Small Cities - Gallipolis, Ohio
  • Champions Category - Mid-Size Cities - Washington, Missouri
 
Outstanding Achievement Awards
  • Environmental Efforts - Holland, Michigan
  • Landscaped Areas - St Charles, Illinois
  • Urban Forestry - Saratoga, California
  • Floral Displays - Greenwood, South Carolina
  • Community Involvement - Edmonston, Maryland
  • Heritage Preservation - Winter Park, Florida
  • Overall Impression - Belpre, Ohio
 
Special Awards
  • Most Impressive Pollinator Garden - Washington, Missouri
  • Most Successful Implementation of a New Project - Venice, Florida
  • Most Striking Public Wall Mural - Henderson County, North Carolina
  • Best Use of Local Bloom Committee Logo - Ironton, Ohio
  • Best Adaptive Reuse of an Historic Structure - Brewton, Alabama
  • Coolest Downtown - Holland, Michigan
  • Best Program for Engaging Yong People - Catskill, New York
  • Best Example of Water Wise Gardening - Arroyo Grande, California
  • Best Heritage Tree Program - Morro Bay, California
  • Best Combination of Plants in Hanging Baskets - Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
 
The following cities have achieved the rank of "Circle of Champions" which is for cities that have a combination of three population category wins and/or outstanding achievement awards: Belpre, Ohio; Calabasas, California; Holliston, Massachusetts; Logan, Ohio; and Winter Park, Florida.

How America in Bloom Transforms Communities - YouTube Video Award Showcases Power of AIB

Got three minutes? Then treat yourself to this inspiring video about how participating in America in
Castle Rock, Washington 2016 America in Bloom Video
Bloom has transformed the small community of Castle Rock, Washington. 

Castle Rock was the winner of this year' YouTube video award that showcases how AIB impacts communities. 



Best Ideas 2016 Annual is in Print

Celebrating planting pride in America, the America in Bloom (AIB) Best Ideas 2016 Annual is an update to the popular Best Ideas book, a resource for communities across the country. 
 
This annual includes the best ideas from the 2016 awards program participants in their own words and special mentions from the judges. These are the best and brightest examples of what communities are actively doing this year to develop and improve. Order your copy today.


Get in on the Excitement & Community-Building Momentum

It's time to register your community to participate in the 2017 America in Bloom program. The deadline to register is February 28, 2017. Bonus: if you recruit another AIB participant you can save up to 25 percent on your registration costs. Register now.

To learn more about the program, the benefits of participation, and how to make the most of your experience, click here.

Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
          
 
                     
                      
 
                
 
           
 
               
 
       
 
           
 
           
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
       
 
          
            
              

Thank You to Our Contributors
 
Katy Moss Warner
Jack Clasen
Evelyn Alemanni
Drew Becher
Charlie Hall
Marvin Miller
Edith Makra
John Manchester
Mark Broxon

Thank You to Our 15-Year Birthday Donors
Mark Ahronian
Douglas Airhart
Evelyn Alemanni
Anna Ball
Bobby Barnitz
Sue Barnitz
Drew Becher
Diane Berry
Billy Butterfield
Castle Rock in Bloom
Jack Clasen
Linda Cromer
Cultivate Catskill
Bev Dunkle
Marshall Dirks
John Dole
Jim Eason
Majorie Egee
Carol Elliott
Tony Ferrara
Dale Fisher and Jon Carloftis
Debbie Frame
Bill Foster
Ann Garrity
GIE Media
Racquel Giese
GPN Magazine
Clayton Guler
Charlie Hall
Linda and Chris Hart
Walter & Jane Heath
Holliston in Bloom
Ed Hooker and Rod Barnes
Jean Humeniuk
J Frank Schmidt
Clayton Johnson
Laura Kunkle
Anne Leventry
Michael Lorentz
Dwight and Vivian Lund
Edith Makra and David Kusnierz
John Manchester
Marvin Miller
Steve Mostardi
Tim Mulry
Delilah Onofrey
Stephen & Kristin Pategas
Alex and Jane Pearl
Pen & Petal
Ron Pierre
Leslie Pittenger
Mitchell Rand
Bruce Riggs
Melanie Riggs
Diane Rinkes
Jo Ellen Sharp
Sara Sheets
Kathy and Bob Shore
Tarboro in  Bloom
Martha Trubey
Barbara Vincentsen
Mary-Beth Wagner
Katy Moss Warner
Kris Warren
Rick Webb
Wanda Weder
Diana Weiner
Craig Yoshida
Mary and Paul Zahl
Frank Zaunscherb 


Thank You to Our Raffle Ticket Contributors
Ball Calkins & Mason Day, Ball
Jason Adams
Ken Altman, Altman Plants
Lisa Ambrosio, Wenke Greenhouses
Dale Bachman, Bachman's
Bob Barnitz, Bob's Market & Greenhouses, Inc.
Terri Bates Cantwell, Bates Sons & Daughters
Kurt Becker, Dramm Corp
Steve Bennett, Riverbend Nurseries
Chris Bernacchi, Ball Seed Co
Fred N. Blackmore, Jr., Blackmore Company
Stephen Blacksmith, Ball Seed Company
Donald Bleeck, Suncoast Nursery
Cees Boonman, Ball Horticultural Company
Albert Bordine, Bordine Nursery
Rick Bradt, AMA Plastics
Fiona Brinks, Bordine's
Karen Brohl, Brohl's Flower Garden
Andrew Brown, Ball Seed Co
Ron Brum, Ball Seed
Elizabeth Bucari, Ball Horticultural Company
Marcelyn Buist Byl, Micandy Gardens
Lisa Campbell, Danville Gardens,
Nathan Campbell, Danville Gardens
Tom Clesen, Clesen Wholesale
Deborah Conterato, Ball Horticultural Company
Chad Corso, Corso Perennials
Chris Corwin, Ball Seed
Eileen Creque, Creque's Greenhouse
Mark De Jong, De Jong
Mike DeRee, Ball Seed Company
John Dole, North Carolina State University
Tim Duffin, Ball Horticultural
Max Epp Jr, Ball Seed
Vaughn Fletcher, Fletcher Consulting
Dave Foltz, Ivy Acres Inc
Todd Frauendorfer, Ball Horticultural Company
George Freas, Ball Seed Co.
Matt Freeman
Douglas Gortsema, Ball
Ray Greenstreet, Greenstreet Growers, Inc.
Lee Griesbach, Ball Horticultrual Company
Brett Guthrie, Bell Nursery USA LLC
Mona Haberer, Hortica
Charles Hall, Texas A&M University
Debbie Hamrick
Mike Heins, Illumitex
Shirley Herzlich, Ball Horticultural Company
Jason Hough, Ball Horticultural Company
Stephen Huber, McHutchison
David Jewell, Illumetex
Clayton Johnson, Ball Seed
Cathy Johnston, Tri State Foliage
Lela Kelly, Dosatron International,
James Kennedy, Ball Horticulture
Red Kennicott, Kennicott Brothers
Nathan King, Ball Seed
Janet Kister, Sunlet
Michael Klopmeyer, Darwin
Laura Kunkle and Michelle Gaston
Anne Leventry, PanAmerican Seed
Jerry Mahoney
John Manchester
Scott McAdam, McAdam's Landscaping
Thomas McElroy, Newton Greenhouses
Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company
Lisa Minter-Bustin, Minter Country Gardens
Jim Mitchell, Mitchell's Nursery
Rick Ouding, Kalamazoo Specialty Plants
Claudio Pasian, Ohio State University
Cheryl Peters, JR Peters
Peter Scherzer, Ball Seed
Derek Schrof, Ball Seed
Thomas Smith, Four Star Greenhouse
Denise Snyder
David Steiner, Blackmore Company
Eugene Stickley, Ball Seed
Susie Stratton, Stratton
Abe VanWingerden, Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc
Mary Beth Wagner
Jim Wallitsch, Wallitsch Garden Center
Oliver Washington, Shore Acres Plant Farm
Jack Weatherford, Weatherford Farms
Wanda Weder, Highland Supply Corporation
Norm White, Whites
Bob Williams
David Williams, Williams Nursery
John Williams, Tagawa Greenhouse Enterprises, LLC
Joe Wojoiechowski, Wojo's Greenhouse
Ka Yeon Jeong
Craig Yoshida, Ball Seed Company


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Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, [email protected]