Westfield in Bloom

Regional Gardening Reports :: National Gardening Association

2011-11-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest article on the National Gardening Association site...
Regional Gardening Reports :: National Gardening Association

Westfield Area Y Leaders in Training Clean Up Parking Lot Entrance

2011-09-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, August 23, 2011 about 20 Westfield Area Y Leaders In Training campers volunteered to clean up the area in the municipal parking lot #5 just outside of Starbucks and Just Bead yourself in an effort to help beautify the town, with soil donated by Williams Nursery and 2 butterfly bushes donated by New Jersey School Age Child Care (NJSACC).

Under the direction of Diane Genco, NJSACC Director, Jake Barrow and Austin Graham prepare soil for Butterfly Bushes near Starbucks.

A Big Thank You

2011-08-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to everyone who participated in the Westfield in Bloom campaign this year:

In addition to major efforts from Keller Williams and Williams Nursery, we would also like to thank Diane Genco (butterfly gardening and educational programs and efforts), The Department of Public Works has stepped up their efforts, many landscapers have done special gardens with their clients this year (namely Scapeabilities & Craig Stock Landscaping), The Westfield Y Leaders in Training Campers helped with weeding by Starbucks and on South Avenue, Westfield Newcomers Club weeded the 9-11 Memorial, spread mulch and planted other materials in June, Rake & Hoe takes care of several gardens around town including Shadowlawn Park, the garden behind the North Avenue Train Station and others, Garden Club of Westfield takes care of the seven planters on the corners of Elm & E. Broad as well as several other gardens, Union County Master Gardeners does a lot of educational programs and has many gardens around including at the Miller-Cory and at Trailside, NJ Transit has put additional focus at the train station with maintenance items, Caffrey Tree Service donated their services to trim the trees on Central Avenue underpass up to Cacciola and a few along South Avenue, many merchants purchased our flowering baskets of Dragon-Winged Begonias and variegated ivy and maintain them in front of their stores, most of the elementary schools have children’s gardens and have incorporated educational programs with their gardens), The Green Up Crew assisted with weeding and spreading mulch at the South Avenue Train Station, The staff of Eileen Fisher has been helping us with watering the flowers we placed in front of the Ferraro’s site. Sherry and Daniel Cronin have been very busy the several weeks helping with graffiti removal, weeding, watering and many other maintenance items around town.

Warren Rorden and Rudy Caprario have been outstanding volunteers who have pitched in to help with several weeding and maintenance projects. Warren along with the Rotary Club of Westfield has been instrumental in the Peddles for Progress bicycle and sewing machine collections for the past many years. The Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts have always done admirable service projects. Star Painting refurbished the benches downtown. Craig Stock Landscaping weeded and cleaned the 9/11 memorial. The Westfield Inn contributed rooms for the judges stay. The DWC committees have also been very active this year particularly with design and historic preservation projects around downtown.

Front Page Worthy

2011-08-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Featured in this week's issue of the Westfield Leader, Westfield in Bloom makes the front page! Click the link below to read the full article
http://www.goleader.com/11aug04/11aug04.pdf

Beautiful Store Fronts in Downtown Westfield!

2011-08-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) is proud to award Meeker’s Florist, and Robert Scalera the owner of strip of sister restaurants, Theresa’s, Mojave Grill and Isabelle’s American Bistro, for their “Beautiful Store Fronts” on behalf of the Westfield in Bloom campaign. Their participation with Westfield in Bloom and efforts to beautify the downtown area do not go unnoticed. After last year’s local contest, the DWC has awarded these downtown businesses for their outstanding achievements.

Located on South Ave, Meeker’s Florist is a European design flower shop that offers a variety of fresh and silk floral arrangements and specializes in hand-tied bouquets and custom designs for weddings, showers, receptions, funerals and other special events. The front lawn of the flower shop is filled with large blooming plants and flowers of all types and colors. This rich display of greenery demonstrates their floral design expertise.

The sister restaurants, Theresa’s, Isabelle’s American Bistro, and Mojave Grille, that line Elm Street are adorned with hanging basket flowers and decked with beautiful planters. Their attractive store front area creates a calm and relaxing ambiance. As a result, dining outdoors has become popular with these locations. Whether you’re in the mood for Mexican, American classics or Italian and American Southwestern, any of these mouthwatering options are sure to satisfy.

Westfield's Pride Has Not Stopped Blooming!

2011-08-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

With the 2011 Westfield in Bloom tour behind us, efforts to keep the town beautiful are not over. The on-going beautification process is what keeps Westfield blooming throughout the entire year. The Department of Public Works (DPW) exemplifies why our town is a ‘great place to be’. Early this morning DPW workers patched asphalt and the walkway areas at the North Avenue Train Station. The upkeep of the downtown is extremely important, thank you DPW! Your work surely does not go unnoticed.

Thank You, Sherry Bliwise!

2011-08-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Right: Sherry Bliwise shows America in Bloom judges Billy Butterfield and Melanie Riggs around her property

For the judges to fully experience Westfield a section of the tour was dedicated to the exhibition of residential homes. With all of Westfield’s fine homes and gardens, Sherry Bliwise’s is definitely at the top of the list. An extremely hospitable gesture, Sherry welcomed us into her home with open arms…and cookies. While touring her property even the judges couldn’t hold in their excitement and love for her work. Sherry’s expertise leaves not an inch of her vast acre property untouched. The creative and strategically designed landscape is no fluke. Her precise placement and areas dedicated to specific plants creates a unique and organized look.

Sherry loves and spends a lot of time working on her masterpiece. Furthermore, her knowledge with horticulture enables her to correctly identify each and every plant and flower on her property. Her obvious passion for gardening only made the visit all the more exciting.

Thanks Sherry for showing us your beautiful home!

The Judges Dig It!

2011-08-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Left: America in Bloom judges, Billy Butterfield and Melanie Riggs, and Williams Nursery owner, Dave Williams, meet with Rake and Hoe club members, Gayle Lechner and Irene Greenstein, to tour through Shadowlawn Park.

Teaming up with the Rake and Hoe Garden members, a part of the Westfield in Bloom tour this year shed light on the hard work the club executes throughout the year. Rake and Hoe club members, Gayle Lechner and Irene Greenstein, were kind enough to guide us through Shadowlawn Park and a fellow club member’s backyard garden. In addition to maintaining the upkeep of the park weekly, over the course of the year the club hosts many events such as “Deck the Halls”, project “Planting Sunshine”, and have even published their own cook book.

Federated with the National Council of State Garden Clubs, and the Garden Club of New Jersey, the Rake and Hoe Garden Club of Westfield, has between 50 and 70 members all of whom share one thing in common: a love of flowers and gardening.

Westfield's Secret Treasure

2011-08-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

Above: Taking a lunch break during the ‘Westfield in Bloom’ tour America in Bloom judges Billy Butterfield and Melanie Riggs, Williams Nursery owner, Dave Williams, and DWC intern, Sarah Hoffman, join Diane Genco in her fully bloomed garden.

The 2011 Westfield in Bloom tour, which took place August 1-2, incorporated aspects of both the downtown and residential areas. With this year’s theme of “Attracting the Butterflies”, it was most appropriate to show the judges where the inspiration originated. Diane Genco, whose backyard is a registered Monarch waystation, opened her home to the tour. Her maze-like garden offered a surprise around every bend. As you wander into the depths of the seemingly never-ending garden, exotic plants, flowers, and trees surround you as beautiful butterflies flutter overhead.

Nevertheless, the true treasure harbored within the garden lay no bigger than a speck in plastic boxed containers. With efforts to fill not only her backyard but the entire town with the beautiful creature, Genco raises, tags, and documents the lives of Monarch butterflies. After daily inspections of plant and flower leafs (where monarch eggs are found) Diane collects the eggs and protects them in a plastic container. Additionally, she sprays the eggs with a special disease resistant chemical to keep the butterflies healthy.

With over 250 species, butterflies serve our environment in many ways. Therefore, the protection of these magnificent creatures is essential. Aside from pollination, they are also good indicators of ecological quality of a habitat. In the larvae phase, they are an important part of the food chain. These butterflies also serve as pollinators for Westfield’s plant life. The presence of these butterflies throughout town is aesthetically which flutter joy throughout the town.

A true treasure, Diane’s monarch waystation brings a unique factor to the town. Her gardening expertise and magnificent backyard (and front yard!) garden left the judges in awe. Her hard work and extreme dedication was something we were very proud to show off.

Thank you Diane for opening your home and exhibiting some of the fabulous work you have done!

Korean War Memorial Benches Painted

2011-08-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

In preparation for the judges’ arrival the downtown area was cleaned until it shined. Because of the harsh winter we have experienced, the metal benches at the Korean Memorial downtown have deteriorated. Dan Cronin was on the job. He painted a new black coat over the chipped and damaged benches to give them a new and clean look.

Thanks Dan, the benches look wonderful!

AMERICA IN BLOOM JUDGES FINALLY ARRIVE

2011-08-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

The America in Bloom (AIB) judges are finally here! After the all the town’s hard work and dedication, it’s time to show them what Westfield is made of. Judges Melanie Riggs and Billy Butterfield will score Westfield according to eight criteria; tidiness effort, environmental effort, community involvement, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays, and turf and ground covered areas. A tour involving these eight criteria, conducted by co-leaders, Sherry Cronin of Downtown Westfield Corporation and David Williams of Williams Nursery, will take place August 1 and 2 and show the judges the greatest areas of Westfield, NJ. Historical sites such as the downtown district, the Reeve House & Cultural Center and the Miller-Cory House Museum, residential and downtown areas, town parks and clubs, and local gardens will be exhibited.

The America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program will take place October 6-8, 2011 where results will be heard. Although Westfield hopes to top last year’s success, we have already won. The many improvements the town has seen as a result of participation in this competition are an award in itself. Throughout the community there have been many effective projects to better our environment including (but not limited to); graffiti cleaning, recycling projects, solar panel installations, educational sessions, historic preservations, maintenance and tree ordinances, school gardens, park clean-ups, plant sales, and earth day plantings and celebrations. Though much of Westfield’s development must be credited to the hardworking residents and volunteers of the town, America in Bloom was a push in the right direction. In addition, many of the “Westfield in Bloom” stories and pictures have been assembled in a blog at www.WestfieldinBloom.com.

Westfield in Bloom (local AIB name) is about more than gardens and hanging flower baskets. The overall community benefits from the campaign. This program is about education, improvement, and civic pride. With AIB serving as a catalyst in the beautification process, people have more of a reason to get involved.

Over the past two years Westfield has seen an abundant increase in plant life due to the promotion and development of ornamental horticulture. With the birth of each community garden there are residents, organizations, and businesses that have joined together to make it all possible. Everyone working towards a common goal creates a better place to live, work and visit. Continuing this beautification process will attract tourism, which in turn can increase property values, jobs, and economic development.

America in Bloom has brought attention to the importance of town pride, and has celebrated Westfield as a ‘great place to be’.

A huge thank you and congratulations is in order for everyone that has participated in Westfield in Bloom this year and who has helped make our town richer and even more beautiful. Even though the contest is over, keep up the good work! Take pride in the town you live in and continue the amazing efforts you have put forth to make Westfield the place it is today.

Westfield's Farmers Market Has Returned

2011-07-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

Sponsored by Two River Bank and The Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Westfield's Farmers Market is back every Saturday at the South Avenue Train Station from 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. until October 29. A Farmer’s Market offers extremely fresh foods, organically grown produce, and humanely raised meats. It features local produce and ‘Jersey Fresh’ products. The Market offers eco-friendly products that brings townspeople together and creates a real sense of community.

Graffiti Busting at it's Best

2011-07-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

With recent markings of graffiti seen around town the use of paint and other removal materials are being used to get rid of the vandalism. A door at the Westfield Train Station was recently painted over to cover the graffiti.

Greenup, Greenup, Everybody Do Your Share!

2011-07-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Left photo (left to right): Stu Turner, Ross Katz, and Sean Collins
Right photo: The finished product

The Greenup Crew is back in action! To help maintain tidiness within the town, the crew has conducted an annual cleanup and weeding of the Westfield Rail Station. Formed in 2010 to help with the upkeep of the train station area, the Greenup Crew hosted their second formal project on July 16th. Their group is a part of NJ Transit's Adopt-A-Station Program which is a way for members of the community to enhance a highly visible area of our town.

Star Painting is at it Again!

2011-07-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Star Painting (Phil Rinaldi, Jim Rinaldi and Michael of Star Painting crew) are busy refurbishing some of the teak benches around downtown just in time for the arrival of the America in Bloom judges!

James Monroe

2011-07-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

It has come to our attention that a local Department of Public Works (DPW) employee, James Monroe, was seriously hurt due to an accident while on the job. While tending to the town’s WWI memorial, James took a fall off of a truck and is now being taken care of at University Hospital. Being that James Monroe is still as strong as he ever was; the major injuries he has sustained will completely heal. James Monroe is in our thoughts and prayers for his full recovery.

DPW Steps Up to the Plate

2011-07-27T07:56:00.001-07:00

Gerry Stabinow of the Town of Westfield Department of Public Works (DPW) has stepped up to the plate. Gerry has been fixing our problem curb areas throughout the downtown area.

Thanks Gerry, your work is greatly appreciated by the entire town! The America in Bloom judges will be impressed with all of the projects that DPW has taken on when they visit July 31-August 2, 2011.

Caffrey Tree & Landscape

2011-07-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

America in Bloom judges are almost here and everyone has been pitching in to get the town ready for their arrival. Caffrey Tree & Landscape has lent their services to tidy up Westfield. Workers have been weeding and mulching around the South Side Train Station. Dead branches and leaves are also being collected to keep the train station neat and clean. It is this type of community involvement that keeps Westfield beautiful!

Westfield is in Full Bloom!

2011-07-27T07:26:00.001-07:00

Thank You Star Painting!

2011-07-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

Moses and Marcos of Star Painting re-painted the chipped and faded Westfield Signs around town. The poles that held the Downtown Westfield signs were in serious need of a new coat of paint. The signs look great, thank you!

PSE+G Lights Up the Town

2011-07-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

PSE+G, a close sponsor and partner of the Downtown Westfield 5k & Pizza Extravaganza, is working to fix all the lights in the downtown area of Westfield. The overhead light poles that keep the streets of Westfield lit during the nighttime are extremely important to maintain. Approximately 50 lights have been repaired so far.

Garden Centers of America Tours Williams Nursery

2011-07-21T09:27:00.000-07:00

Above Photo: (From Left to Right) Sherry Cronin, Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation, Chris, Sales Representative from Fafard Soil, Edward Williams of Williams Nursery, Doug Fisher, Secretary of Agriculture, and Dave Williams Jr. of Williams Nursery

On June 16 the annual Garden Centers of America Tour made Williams Nursery in Westfield one of their official stops. Owner of the nursery, Dave Williams, is president of the national garden organization. Williams Nursery was one of the 15 gardens chosen to be toured throughout the state. Garden center owners and managers from approximately 100 garden centers from all over the United States came along for the tour.

Also present at the tour was New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, Doug Fisher. During the ceremony Doug Fisher congratulated Dave Williams on being chosen to represent the state. Dave was then awarded with a keepsake of his time as president of the Garden Centers of America.

Westfield Y Campers Lead the Way

2011-07-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Photo Caption: LITs and Diane Genco weed and clean the parking lot on Central Ave.

Equipped with garbage bags, gloves, and various weeding tools, Leaders in Training got to work on cleaning up the town. Westfield Area Y’s Leaders in Training camp, located in the Robert and Virginia Bauer Family Branch, is for teenagers who want to learn how to become future camp counselors. This camp combines elements of work and play to bring out the leader within each camper. Campers engage in daily activities that are both mentally and physically challenging which prepares them to be future ‘CIT’s and vital citizens of their community.

With guidance from the towns butterfly guru, Diane Genco, a team of over 20 kids and counselors weeded the Westfield parking lot on Central Ave between Starbucks and Just Bead Yourself. The area will be transformed into a butterfly garden. With the completion of the weeding and cleaning, the campers and Genco will return to mulch and replant. Flowers and plants specifically grown to attract butterflies will be used.

Genco, who is also the executive director for the New Jersey School-Age Care Coalition (NJSACC), promotes the development of out-of-school programs, specifically outdoor and nature based activities. This project to revamp an area of Westfield is a perfect fit for these leaders in training. These kids improve their leadership abilities and team-building skills by working together to enhance our environment. Their goal to transform the area into a butterfly garden also parallels this year’s Westfield in Bloom efforts to “attract the butterflies”.

Keep up the good work, this type of involvement is what keeps Westfield blooming!

You Grow Girl!

2011-06-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

Barbara Vincentsen, a Westfield resident, has become a judge for the 2011 America in Bloom competition. She is the owner of Vincentsen Associates, a medium-sized award-winning architectural firm that operates locally. Barbara comes from a gardening family and has continued her family tradition in her own gardens, which have plantings shared from three generations of close family and friends. Her garden was featured in last year’s Westfield in Bloom program.

Barbara is a licensed architect in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, and is a licensed professional planner and certified interior designer in New Jersey. She is actively involved in the community, serving on the boards of the Friends of Mindowaskin Park Committee and Fairview Cemetery Committee. She is a member of the Westfield Service League and Downtown Westfield Corporation Design Committee, and a past president of Central Section of New Jersey Chapter of the AIA.

Her job as an America in Bloom judge entails writing a detailed evaluation highlighting strengths and listing areas of possible improvements. This position requires extreme dedication and expertise.

We are very proud to have one of our residents become closely involved with America in Bloom, an association that Westfield has partnered with for the past two years. Barbara’s dedication to both our town and the nation-wide campaign serves as a model example.

‘Westfield in Bloom’ Poster Arrives at Memorial Library

2011-06-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

To continue to educate the public on Westfield in Bloom initiatives, the Downtown Westfield Corporation (DWC) has provided the Westfield Memorial Library with an informational poster. The poster encourages people to take pride in their town and get involved in Westfield in Bloom. We are asking for volunteers, and for people to send in pictures of their gardens and what they are doing to make Westfield a better place. This helps document all initiatives taken to help the Town. The poster also provides a few simple steps to becoming more environmentally friendly. Free seed packets are also available for anyone to take and plant. The special mix attracts monarch butterflies.

Still confused about what ‘Westfield in Bloom’ actually is? For the past two years, Westfield has entered the America in Bloom competition (locally known as Westfield in Bloom). America in Bloom (AIB) is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. The nation-wide grassroots program believes that connecting people and plants is important to everyone’s quality of life. While providing a framework for continuous improvements in communities, America in Bloom’s competition judges cities and towns on eight criteria: Tidiness Effort, Community Involvement, Environmental Effort, Landscaped Areas, Turf & Ground Cover Areas, Heritage Preservation, Floral Display, and Urban Forestry. Westfield was honored to receive the top prize for towns their size in the 2010 America in Bloom competition and won the Landscaped Areas Award for all entrants across the country.