Pugwash seeks the gold standard
Communities in Bloom judges visit community
It’s hard to top being named the best village in Canada, but Pugwash is trying. The community is being evaluated for the national Communities in Bloom program for the first time since 2014, and has been hosting judges from the non-profit organization that aims to foster civic pride and environmental responsibility through community involvement. While Colleen Stockford and Susan Ellis would not tip their hand as to how their evaluations would look, they did not hide their general positive impression of the community. “It’s beautiful, and what’s really great is it embodies the foundations of Communities in Bloom,” said Ellis, of Pembroke, Ont. “Everybody is working together for the same purpose of creating a good place to live, and that’s what it’s about.” Stockford, of Sussex, N.B., joked that she was already looking property and wants to retire here. “Everybody is laughing and friendly, and peaceful,” said Ellis. “How do you not like a town that has ‘peace’ in their slogan?” The judges were presented with a community profile book put together by the local Communities in Bloom team, which documents all the work they have done in the past three years. They also paid visits to many community people and sites. They met with local gallery owners Bonnie Bond and John
Caraberis to discuss environmental stewardship in the area, they visited the community’s waste recycling centre and its brand new water treatment facility, and also made stops at Sunset Residential Centre, and the newly renovated Masonic temple. The judges also met councillors at the village hall, as well as several community members at Thinkers Lodge and the lobster factory, taking notes all the way. A lunch with the judges at the lobster factory was attended by 35 people, including representatives from all levels of government, community organizers, supporters and business people. “What we want to do is show them how different groups work together to make Pugwash a better place,” said Maureen Leahy, who heads up the local Communities in Bloom committee. “It’s going very well.”
The judges arrived on Sunday, and were scheduled to depart Pugwash Tuesday afternoon. In 2014, Pugwash received five out of five blooms in the national program, was named best village in the nation, and also received an outstanding achievement award for its Peace Ground near the Thinkers Lodge and lobster factory properties.
The program now offers five blooms at gold, silver and bronze levels, and Pugwash is seeking the top gold standard. “This year, we’re in a higher level of competition, because we’re competing against other winners,” said Leahy. “No matter whether or not we win, it’s a win. With people coming together like they are today, how good is that?” The judges’ evaluation is expected to be announced in September.