2020 Westlake In Bloom Awards Ceremony

Press release from the City of Westlake:

August 14, 2020

With social distancing and mask requirements in place, the 2020 Westlake in Bloom Award Ceremony was able to proceed safely at in the gymnasium of the Westlake Recreation Center the evening of Thursday, Aug. 13.

Due to concerns over Covid-19, attendance at the event was limited to only winning entrants and their immediate family members. Chairs in the gymnasium were set up six feet apart and only family members living in the same household were allowed to sit closer together.

All told, it was a tastefully simple ceremony. Although it was missing the elegant décor and delicious food and refreshments of previous Bloom ceremonies, it still served as a joyous occasion to recognize some of the community’s most dedicated and talented gardeners.

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough began the ceremony by expressing appreciation for the hard work and passion displayed by the more than 60 participants who endeavored to help add beauty throughout the city. Participation in this year’s contest was nearly on par with previous years despite the difficult circumstances related to Covid-19.

Planning and Economic Development Director James Bedell, who has been the chief organizer of the event for the past eight years, once again was behind the podium at the front of the room announcing the winners for first, second and third place. Photos of their finely manicured gardens scrolled across a screen at the front of the room as they each made their way up to receive their personalized award plaque from the Mayor and have their pictures taken.

The prestigious “Lou Walter Best in Bloom” award went to Binh V. To and Lan Le To, who also earned top 3 honors in multiple categories, including first place in the “Patio and Abutting Garden – Single Family” category.

The Tos are among many longtime Bloom participants who have helped the contest become a cherished tradition in the community. See the complete list of 2020 winners below.

NOTE: More photos and video from the awards ceremony will be available online in the near future.

2020 Westlake in Bloom Winners

Evergreen Cemetery Fence Gardens

First Place: The Ray Clancy Family

Second Place: The Eberling Family

Third Place: Shannon Maura Kilbane, Raymond and Lillian Feador

Hilliard Boulevard Flower Box

First Place: The Moran Family

Second Place: King James Homeowners Association

Third Place: Dover Congregational Church

Community Garden

First Place: Mitch Ma

Second Place: Lee Ding

Third Place: Jennifer Luginbill

Apartment, Condominium or Subdivision Entrance

First Place: Westown Gardens Apartment

Second Place: Remington

Third Place: Bay Landing Condominiums

Nursing Home/Assisted/Independent Living Facility

First Place: Rae-Ann Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation, 29505 Detroit Road

Second Place: The Belvedere of Westlake, 29591 Detroit Road

Third Place: Rae-Ann Westlake Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, 28303 Detroit Road

Business

First Place: Applied Companies LLC, 28825 Ranney Parkway

Second Place: Moosehead Saloon, 694 Dover Center Road

Third Place: Kleinhenz Jewelers, 25979 Detroit Road

Place of Worship/Institutional/Quasi-Public/Public Place

First Place: Westlake United Methodist Church, 27650 Center Ridge Road

Second Place: Westlake Historical Society Herb Garden, 1371A Clague Road

Third Place: St. Ladislas Catholic Church, 2345 Bassett Road

Patio and Abutting Garden – Single Family

First Place: Binh V. To and Lan Le To, 26945 Sleepy Hollow Drive

Second Place: Grace Flanagan, 801 Dover Center Road

Third Place: Marian Ext and Dr. Roger Mansnerus, 30085 Persimmon Drive

Patio and Abutting Garden – Multi-Family/Cluster Home

First Place: Helen J. Szarka, 30128 Shadowcreek Drive

Second Place: Evelyn J. Davis, 1088 Clubside Drive

Third Place: Sharon L. Huelsman, 3063 Bay Landing Drive

Vegetable Garden

First Place: Lonna Nimylowycz, 31248 Muirfield Way

Second Place: Binh V. To and Lan Le To, 26945 Sleepy Hollow Drive

Third Place: Steven Genther and Elizabeth Nici, 31377 Saint Andrews

Shade Garden

First Place: Robert McCormick and Richard Lindsley, 1111Clubside Drive

Second Place: James and Jean Moran, 1933 Reeds Court Trail

Third Place: Patty Hays, 1943 Horseshoe Blvd.

Window Boxes

First Place: Beverly Wilkinson, 25028 Tricia Drive

Second Place: Lizabeth K. Emrick, 1106 Clubside Drive

Third Place: Dolly and Dick Hartman, 1425 Crossings Parkway

Residential Landscaping –Front Yard

First Place: Neal and Diana Novak, 26665 Brahms Dr.

Second Place: Lynette Hendrix and Steve Foster, 31370 Detroit Road

Third Place: Mary Beth and Jack Bedell, 1874 Settlers Reserve Way

Residential Landscaping –Rear Yard

First Place: Nancy Schill, 2237 Silveridge Trail

Second Place: Binh V. To and Lan Le To, 26945 Sleepy Hollow Drive

Third Place: Dolly and Dick Hartman, 1425 Crossings Parkway

Residential Landscaping – Entire Yard, Small

First Place: James and Jean Moran, 1933 Reeds Court Trail

Second Place: Sally and Jay Magee 1093 Clubside Drive

Third Place: K.V. and Alayne Gopalakrishna, 31019 Logan Court

Residential Landscaping – Entire Yard, Large

First Place: Lou and Jean Povinelli, 1415 Prince Charles Ave.

Second Place: Marian Ext and Dr. Roger Mansnerus, 30085 Persimmon Drive

Third Place: Vicki Wert, 1665 Allen Drive

Lu Walter “Best in Bloom” Award:

Binh V. To and Lan Le To, 26945 Sleepy Hollow Drive

This press release was produced by the City of Westlake. The views expressed here are the author’s own.