2018 was a phenomenal year for Lewes in Bloom. Our biggest accomplishments were that membership grew to over 200 volunteers and we worked with the City of Lewes to win the Communities in Bloom International Challenge for the most beautiful medium-sized city in the world. However, these accomplishments were not the only ones.
A new pollinator garden was established in the George H.P. Smith Park that will bring not only pollinators, but pleasure to the senses for years to come, and we won first place in the community organization float category for our entry in the annual Lewes Christmas Parade. Last, but not least, we established a scholarship program at Cape Henlopen High School for those students planning to pursue further education in a horticultural, city planning, agriculture or forestry curriculum. Our first recipient participated in various activities throughout the summer and fall and will graduate this year.
Our branches, Art in Bloom and the Children’s Learning Garden, had firsts as well. In April, Art in Bloom dedicated its first piece, The Silent Sentinels, a delightful mobile sculpture. The Children’s Learning Garden, in coordination with the Lewes Public Library, established a Story Walk in Stango Park. Both were well-received.
It was quite a year.
However, we are so aware that we could not have done it without the support and encouragement of everyone from the city to our volunteers, who are some of the greatest in the world.
Many may not be aware that a number of our volunteers who spend their summers weeding and deadheading in the downtown Lewes gardens and parks are not even residents of Lewes proper. Nor are they residents of the greater Lewes area. They are dedicated folks who love to dig in the dirt and who love Lewes.
So once again, and never enough, we say thank you to all who have supported us this year, whether by donation, a smile, and/or a “job well done.” Thank you to the city, the businesses, the citizens, the media and our visitors.
In closing, as our community has supported us, we need to support them. It will be a challenging winter and spring for the downtown Lewes retailers. Please don’t forget to patronize them during this period and show them how much their enthusiastic support means to us. Support them as they have supported Lewes in Bloom so often over the years. No matter where we live, we are all in this together. See you in the spring.
Lewes in Bloom Board of Advisors
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