Beautification Awards recognize excellence in gardening, design

<!–Saxotech Paragraph Count: 8
–>

Members of the Farmington Beautification Commission did what they do every year — picked the winners of its annual awards that recognize excellent landscaping and design.

The theme, chosen by Larry Kilner, commission chair, for the annual awards program was driven by an Abraham Lincoln quote: “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives and I like to see a man live so that his place is proud of him.”

This year’s awards ceremony was held at the Gov. Warner Mansion on Sept. 19. Each year the Farmington Beautification Committee hands out the coveted bronze award plaque to one household for each voter precinct.

First and second place awards are given out also. The awards are judged on street curb appeal only. Backyards cannot be considered as that is the role of the Farmington Garden Club. They also give an award for one business and the Greater Farmington Chamber of Commerce, represented by Mary Engleman, gave an award to one business which meets its qualifications.

Mayor Tom Buck opened the ceremony and noted that CNN Money Magazine recently placed Farmington as number 27 on their “best city to live in” roster. He added that residents who were in attendance to receive beautification awards played a role in Farmington achieving that honor.

This year’s recipients were surprised and grateful to receive the awards. After receiving their award, each gardener was asked to give a brief description of what inspired them to attain such an honor. Some of the winners’ comments were truly poignant, Kilner said.

One recipient gave an emotional response that her landscape design was in memory of her grandmother. Another contestant, who used bowling balls in her landscape, said that her first bowling ball was her father’s and then her friends donated the rest of them after they tired of the game.

In another instance it was a family member who motivated them to take an interest in landscaping. Kilner commented that when he received the award, it was his personal goal to win the award, and it took it 10 years to achieve it.