For nearly 20 years, Newton Community Pride has recognized those businesses, community groups and residents who have helped to beautify Newton’s streets and public spaces with flowers, shrubs and trees. A tradition begun by Leo Levi who rose to the challenge to help make Newton live up to its name, The Garden City, Leo initiated these awards as a way of thanking those who made the effort and to encourage others to follow their example.
2011 Newton Beautification Awards
Newton Cultural Center
September 19, 2011
Ruth Barnett, President of Newton Community Pride
Sally Pian, Chairman, Newton Beautification Awards
Ruth Barnett presents the "Star of the Garden City" award to Freda Piecuch
STAR OF THE GARDEN CITY
Freda Piecuch is this year's recipient.
“The energy and enthusiasm that Freda brings to her work with plants has contributed to the beautification of many of Newton’s public spaces. She is a quiet and dedicated volunteer who enjoys the outdoor horticultural opportunities that Newton offers and is always eager to add to her knowledge of plants. Throughout the year she is a reliable worker at the Newton Center Garden, often putting in extra time there when needed. Freda may also be found helping to plant the containers at the Newton Library and maintaining the plantings at the entrance to Newton City Hall and at the Newton Cultural Center."
We are grateful for all the ways in which Freda helps to make Newton a beautiful place in which to live, and we are delighted to hail her as Star of the Garden City.
Community Awards
Alderman John Rice
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Center President Nicholas Carter
Angier School: Loreta Lamberti, The Student Garden and The Yvonne Garden
The Yvonne Garden was dedicated to the memory of Yvonne Oppenheim who died earlier this year at the age of 47. Yvonne was an Angier parent, who was deeply involved with the school. She was an artist, a veterinarian and a dedicated gardener
Regina Eliot Ramsey who beautified the business area in Auburndale, at Auburn Street and the small park at Lexington Street Auburndale, along with several other volunteers who purchased plants and flowers and did all of the gardening work themselves to make the Auburndale village area more attractive.
Barbara Smiley and Wes Bockley, Fountain at Walnut and Forest Streets, Newton Highlands
Alderman John Rice and the Newton Taiwan Garden Committee: The Garden at the Newton Highlands Playground
Suzanne Spatz, Newton Center Horse Trough
Helen Jordan for maintaining the plantings at the Newton Senior Center
Business Awards
| The Biltmore Bar & Grille, Newton Upper Falls | Kim’s Nail & Skin Care, Newton Highlands |
| Boston Private Bank & Trust Co., Newton Center | Lumiere Restaurant: Michael Leviton, West Newton Square |
Deluxe Station Diner, Newton Center |
Newton Free Library, Newton Center |
| Donato’s Hair Salon: Vincent DiCenso, Waban | Panera Bread: Richard Childs, Newton Center |
| Gallinelli Plumbing & Heating, Nonantum | The New Bread Song Corner Bakery, Auburndale, Rumyana Gizdova and Edgar Zavala |
| Jumbo Seafood Gourmet Restaurant: Ken Leung, Newton Center |
Penny Caponigro, Sally Pian and Pat Rand
The New Bread Song Corner Bakery
Residential Awards
| Amy Adyanthaya | Lisa Iezzoni and Reed Drews | Maria Isabel and Brian Saltzman |
| Joy Baron | Mary Franchi | Anita Springer and James Lerner |
| Suzanne and Howard Berwind | Mary and Greely Summer | Amy and Owen Surman |
| Wes and Melanie Bockley | Laura Gross and Charles Delheim | June and Robert Thibeault |
| Karen Bray | Ginger and Daniel Kenney | Cornelia Trubey |
| Elaine and Alfred Carroll | Peter Kneisel | Eleftheria Tsavoussis |
| Christina Cortis and Dylan Johnson | Mary and Paul Lambert, and Robin and Chris Dickey | Sheila and Charles Ufland |
| Athena Costopoulos | John Magnani and Linda Martin | Susan Wainger and Judith Fischbach |
| Ashley Davidoff | Carla and Daniel Powdermaker | John and Virginia Weisz |
| Ellen Devoe | Rosalba Salvucci and Ralph Coppola |
Carla Powdermaker
Certificate of Appreciation
Liz Noon