European judges tour Lewes in Bloom gardens
Alain Cappelle and Andrea Bocsi spent July 19 touring Lewes, like so many other summer visitors. But, the pair were no ordinary tourists.
Cappelle and Bocsi were in the First Town in the First State to dig into what makes Lewes in Bloom thrive.
Cappelle, who is from Belgium, and Bocsi, who is from Hungary, are judges for Communities in Bloom, an international organization with the stated vision to inspire communities and enhance the quality of life through people and plants.
That has been Lewes in Bloom’s mission for 23 years. LIB is competing against cities of similar size in the U.S., Canada and Europe for the International Challenge Award from Communities in Bloom. The Lewes group won the prestigious honor in 2018.
Cappelle and Bocsi were in Lewes to examine lilies, petunias and much more.
“We try to find those things that make Lewes unique,” Cappelle said. “Of course, we look at the gardens, but especially who is behind the gardens, the volunteers. Volunteerism the center of the whole competition.”
Bocsi said they have six criteria: General appearance of the town, heritage conservation, floral displays, environmental actions, tree management and landscape.
Bocsi is a lawyer, tourism expert and vice president of Hungary in Bloom. Cappelle is a city planner and has been a Communities in Bloom judge since 2012.
After a welcome breakfast with local leaders at Irish Eyes, the judges hit the streets with members of Lewes in Bloom.
Their first stop was the Savannah Road drawbridge, where LIB members Dianne Stevens and Marilyn Vai were posted to talk about the flowers they are responsible for.
Ed Zygmonski was happy to show off the 72,000 glass tiles on the mosaic mural, created by Art in Bloom.
The group then headed to 1812 Park, the post office grounds and Cannonball House.
Lewes in Bloom volunteers were proud to show off their gardens.
“It’s great to have them come, and we get good advice from them. We get a 40-page report on what we can do to improve the city and our gardens,” said John Roecker, a Lewes in Bloom board co-chair, who was the judges’ guide for the post office gardens on Front Street.
The judges were scheduled to visit all 21 Lewes in Bloom gardens and a private garden in the city.
The winner of the Communities in Bloom award will be announced at the end of September.
