America in Bloom judges to visit Lewes July 16, 17
Judges from the America in Bloom national awards program will visit Lewes Thursday and Friday, July 16 and 17, to assess its entry in the America in Bloom national awards program. This is Lewes’ third entry in the national awards program. Lewes is one of 42 towns across America working on local revitalization programs with the hopes of receiving a prestigious America in Bloom national award.
Participants are evaluated in the areas of overall impression, heritage preservation, environmental efforts, urban forestry, landscapes, floral displays and community involvement. The judges evaluate these criteria in the residential, commercial and municipal sectors.
The America in Bloom judges are Bruce Riggs and Leslie Pittenger. Riggs currently freelances in horticulture and is involved in several not-for-profit institutions. He is also very involved in the family landscape design business with his wife Melanie Menachem Riggs who is also an AIB judge. They reside in New Rochelle, N.Y. He recently held the position of curator of science at the Bruce Museum of Arts and Science in Greenwich, Conn.
During his 18 years at the New York Botanical Garden, Riggs was very involved with the horticulture and education divisions. He administered the creation and implementation of the internationally recognized interpretation program for the NYBG.
He has recently been very involved in elementary school science and horticulture programs. He has worked on projects for the American Association of Museums and the Institute of Museum Studies. He has been very involved with Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville, N.Y., serving as president since 1998. Riggs is an avid traveler, having visited numerous gardens and natural areas around the world.
Although Pittenger's official position is city auditor for Belpre, Ohio, her passion for the improvement of her area has inspired community volunteers. Belpre received the 2013 Outstanding Achievement Award for Community Involvement sponsored by the American Horticultural Society. As an active member of the Belpre Garden Club, Pittenger works with local students to complete environmental and beautification projects.
Currently serving her second term as auditor, she has received the Ohio Auditor of State Award for exemplary financial reporting. She serves on the board of directors for the Belpre Alumnae Association and the Belpre Area Community Development Foundation. She graduated from the University of Georgia and was a business owner for 10 years. Pittenger believes in and has experienced the value of AIB for the benefits it can bring to the well-being and pride of small towns across America.
Awards will be announced Saturday, Sept. 26 at AIB’s National Symposium and Awards, to be held this year in Holland, Mich. For more information, go to www.AmericaInBloom.org.
