2020 Westlake in Bloom Awards

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.

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