After being judged by the Communities in Bloom committee judges this summer, Stettler has its placing in the 2022 competition.
Stettler took part in the Class of Champions, medium category, along with Kingsville, Ont., Stonewall, Man., and Yarmouth, N.S., earning five of five possible blooms and a silver finish at the National and International Symposium and Awards Ceremony held in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 22.
As part of the presentation, the Stettler Town and Country Museum earned a special mention.
“Step back into the early 1900s while wandering through Alberta’s fifth largest pioneer village, Stettler Town and Country Museum situated on 10 acres of land, with over 25 buildings to visit in their authentic decors,” wrote judges Martin Quinn and Anthony O’Neil about the museum.
“You can picture yourself in a school learning arithmetic class, courthouse, church or living in a small log house through all the seasons. Learn the local history and heritage through historical artifacts and buildings. Congratulations Stettler you have a wonderful example of how communities should look after it’s heritage in this incredible collection of older buildings that you have preserved for future generations.”
When the judges visited Stettler during the summer, they evaluated the community on contributions of municipal council and administration, industry and businesses, and volunteer efforts regarding community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management and landscaping.
Communities in Bloom is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization that developed the competition to build community strength and involvement while promoting environmental sustainability and cultural conservation.
Judges rate the communities on a percentage rating, with anything over 82 per cent receiving five blooms.
To reach silver, a community needs in between 87 and 89.9 per cent.
“We did really well,” said Mayor Sean Nolls.
“It’s something we’ve come to expect with Stettler … On a whole the town should be proud of what they have achieved with Communities in Bloom. Communities in Bloom confirms that Stettler is a really awesome place.”
Grace Fix, Heartland Beautification chairperson agreed with the mayor.
“The Heartland Beautification Committee, which oversees Stettler’s participation in Communities in Bloom, is very pleased with our results. A 5 blooms Silver rating is the second highest rating possible,” said Fix.
“We thank the residents and business community as well as the Town of Stettler Council and staff for all their contributions to making our town the beautiful, friendly place it is.”
The winner of the Class of Champions, medium, category for 2022 was Yarmouth, N.S.
-Editor’s note: the story was changed to include the quote from Grace Fix.
