Lewes named most beautiful city in America again
It comes as no surprise to the people of Lewes that their beloved city has again been named one of the most beautiful towns in America.
Lewes was awarded the top prize for towns with a population of 2,000 to 5,000 people at the 2022 America in Bloom annual symposium held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in St. Louis, Mo.
Lewes in Bloom and city officials, residents and business owners welcomed America in Bloom judges Ed Hooker III and Evadne Giannini for an official visit in July. The judges were escorted around town to showcase the city’s natural beauty and some of its continued efforts to enhance the community.
Lewes in Bloom founder Warren Golde and his wife Jane Ellan attended the symposium. Golde said he wasn’t surprised Lewes took home the top prize.
“We have a great group of volunteers; our patrons and head patrons take so much pride in what they do,” he said. “It’s the city that wins the award. The whole town is being judged. We appreciate the commitment from the city in making the town beautiful.”
In addition to winning the top prize, Lewes also finished in the top three of all towns for its flowers. The city received a score of 92 out of 96, Golde said.
“I don’t know how we can do any better,” he said. “The town that beat us from Washington did an outstanding job. I can understand why they won – 200 flower baskets on a bridge.”
Lewes in Bloom has done so much over the last two decades, it’s almost impossible to list all its accomplishments and awards. Lewes in Bloom entered its first America in Bloom competition in 2002. Although it didn’t win, the judges provided some valuable constructive criticism. Volunteers got to work right away, reentered the competition in 2003, and won it. They added more America in Bloom awards in 2005 and 2010. In 2015, Lewes entered the America in Bloom Circle of Champions competition against other former winners, and the city triumphed again.
In 2018, Lewes in Bloom entered the Communities in Bloom International Challenge, going up against cities and towns from around the world. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the First Town came out on top once more.
The idea for Lewes in Bloom came in 2001, when Golde was stranded in England following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Without knowing for certain when he would be allowed to return home, Golde toured the country. He visited the Town of Lewes in the south of England, for which the Delaware town was named. The town was beautifully adorned with flowers, plants and other welcoming accoutrements, and Golde brought that vision home.
Following each competition, Lewes in Bloom members seriously consider the comments made by judges. Those remarks often guide the direction of Lewes in Bloom’s ongoing efforts.
One emphasis Lewes in Bloom has had since its last America in Bloom competition is public art. Art in Bloom was created in 2016, and its members have worked to add the silent sentinels near the Lewes library, the menhaden fishing mural on the Beacon Motel and the mosaic mural on the Savannah Road drawbridge. Golde said the judges were also impressed with the initiative taken by residents living along the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail in adding their own flair to enhance trail users’ experience.
As for what’s next, Golde said he’d like to enter the Communities in Bloom competition again, but the board will discuss the future at its next retreat in January.
