Lewes in Bloom founder fêted ahead of retirement

Warren Golde has spent the last 24 years watching his gardens grow.

As the founder of Lewes in Bloom, he could not imagine how much they have grown – now 27 gardens, planters and baskets, and more than 500 volunteers.

Golde was inspired to start the organization after seeing the flowers in Lewes, England.

After more than two decades, Golde is now stepping out of his gardens and into retirement.

Many of the Lewes in Bloom volunteers he inspired over the years paid tribute at the organization’s annual end-of-the-season meeting and luncheon held Oct. 7 at American Legion Post 17.

“It’s been a big part of my life, and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve enjoyed working with them,” Golde said. “It’s been a pleasure seeing people take so much pride and responsibility away from me. Nobody has to stand over them anymore.”

The Warren S. Golde Gateway Garden is named in his honor. Lewes in Bloom’s Schley Avenue warehouse will also bear his name.

Many Lewes in Bloom volunteers fêted Golde at the luncheon with a Broadway-style song-and-dance performance and a video.

“Lewes would not be Lewes without you,” said Mayor Amy Marasco in the video.”Your legacy is everywhere I look.”

The performers even wore shirts with Golde’s picture and the words, “Visionary, Dreamer, Leader.”

Cindy DeEmedio said the award-winning, all-volunteer group will carry on.

“Lewes in Bloom won’t be the same without Warren, but he has left such a lasting legacy that we’re going to continue his work and honor him in that way,” she said.

Golde said even though he is moving out of state, he will return.

“I’ll still be helping Lewes in Bloom. I’ll be coming down at least next year, for the 25th, quite a bit,” Golde said.

Golde said Bill Adelman and Liz Clements will assume his role in the organization and help it grow into the future.

“I just hope it continues. I mean, that’s what I was always afraid of. But with Bill and Liz taking over for me, I think they’re very, very capable,” Golde said.