2019 Beautification Awards

The Community Beautification Award for a Business was presented to The Jewelbox, 301 Old Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, and its owner, goldsmith and designer Micky Roof. Colorful annuals spill from wine barrels adjacent to the building and parking lot all summer long. A white picket fence along the sidewalk features an abundance of bulbs in spring, followed by tall hollyhocks, marigolds, petunias and verbena.In the fall, the wine barrels transition to colorful mums.

The Community Beautification Award for a Not-for-Profit is presented to Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes on W. State St., Ithaca.Tucked away in an old house on Ithaca’s West End, the Center provides information, resources and counseling for the newly diagnosed, current patients, their friends and family; while providing opportunities for individuals to volunteer, create a fundraising drive or contribute with planned giving. CRC began in 1994 as the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance and later expanded its mission to serve both men and women and all types of cancer.

The gardens to the right of the Center were planted in full shade from the next door building. When it was demolished last fall, the Center needed to make some adjustments. A walkway leads to the back of the building, where another, more private garden awaits. This garden was designed and built by Lee Ginenthal.Cindy Nicholson is the volunteer gardener for the Center.

The Community Beautification Award for Placemaking is presented to Downtown Ithaca Alliance and the City of Ithaca, for the Art Bike Racks. Two years ago, the City of Ithaca joined forces with the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, the Tompkins County Tourism Program and Bike Walk Tompkins to launch a Community Bike Rack Design Competition.The idea was to encourage cycling as a desirable mode of transportation as well as enhancing downtown Ithaca with creative functional art, designed by and for the local community.

80 different designs from local and regional artists of all ages were submitted.The selection panel chose 12 winning designs, using criteria of functionality, creativity and representation of
Ithaca’s unique culture, history, and characteristics of place. These were then sent to local blacksmith and metal artist Durand Van Doren for crafting into bike racks, which were placed in downtown locations.

The Community Beautification Award for a Residence is presented to the owners of a duplex on E. Lincoln St. in Fall Creek.410 E. Lincoln is on the left, home of Kate Gefell, while Suki, Jonathan and Jasper Hall live at 412 E. Lincoln, on the right, separated by a flagstone pathway.Colorful flowers spill from window boxes on the deck, while the front yard is filled with annuals and perennials, including roses, hosta, iris, sedum vinca vine and zinnias.

The Community Beautification Award for a Home Business is presented to Art and Sandy Snyder, owners of Snyder’s Auto Repair on Ford Hill Road in Lansing.While not located on a busy thoroughfare, the shop is open to the public and is home to beautiful gardens that surround the shop and their adjacent home.Colorful and peaceful spots around the property are enjoyed by customers as well as local birds and animals. The gardens are especially delightful when one considers what surrounds the typical auto repair shop.

Last updated February 7, 2024