10/2/08
By Greg Duggan
Observer staff
The town’s top gardeners gathered in the police station on Monday night for an awards ceremony that honored participants in the Williston in Bloom contest.
Observer photo by Greg Duggan
Al Ligouri, a committee member of Williston in Bloom, presents a slideshow of participating gardens on Monday night at the Williston Police Station.
As Williston in Bloom committee member Al Ligouri stood at the head of the station’s community room, pictures of gardens flashed across a large, white screen. For each category, pictures appeared of entrants’ gardens, and Ligouri ran through comments from judges about each garden.
“Great use of the space she had,” one judge said in regards to Shelly Forrest’s garden, which earned honorable mention in the annuals/perennials category.
In the same category, Dana Partelow and her second place garden received comments including “passion for gardening” and “knack for growing many roses.”
Each winner took home a certificate of participation, and first place winners received framed photographs of their gardens. Other prizes included gift certificates and gardening tools.
Grand Prize winner Ashley Mikell, who judges awarded the prize for best overall garden, received a $50 gift certificate and an engraved tool.
The Williston in Bloom contest began in 2002. It was part of America in Bloom, which serves as a community-based beautification program.
Courtesy photo
Ashley Mikell stands with her garden, which won Best Overall Garden in the Williston in Bloom contest.
Winners
Grand prize
Ashley Mikell
Annuals/perennials
First place – Melinda Friedlander
Second place – Dana Partelow
Honorable mention – Shelly Forrest
Honorable mention – Jill Lang
Comprehensive Landscaping
First place – Taft Farm Senior Living Community
Water Feature
First place – Mike & Cathy Jones
Vegetable Garden
First place – Art and Mary Tuthill
Honorable mention – Forrest Whit