Let's keep this dynasty going.
The City of Humboldt once again earned five out of five blooms, the highest honour, during the national Communities in Bloom (CIB) judging, it was announced at the awards ceremony Oct. 26 in Ottawa, Ont.
Following the evaluation, judges Berta Briggs and Jim Baird wrote that Humboldt "has the small town friendliness with the amenities of the city that it is," an observation that is sure to please Mayor Malcolm Eaton, who has expressed his worries in the past that Humboldt will lose its close-knit feel as its population expands.
Humboldt, which competed in the 5,001-10,000 population category in the CIB judging, was just barely ousted out of first place by the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex in Ontario.
Nonetheless, Humboldt's modern sport facility, the Humboldt Uniplex, was given special recognition by the judges.
"The Humboldt Uniplex has linked the new high school and existing recreation buildings to create a wonderful single facility under the guidance of the community and leisure services and promote their fine work in a prominent display case," Briggs and Baird said in a recent media release.
Calling it "a beautiful facility", they noted its ability to unite social and recreational activities.
Other areas the judges visited on their July 19 tour of Humboldt was Civic Park, the murals alongside buildings, the Humboldt Golf Club, the Humboldt & District Museum & Gallery, among many other intriguing local land marks.
Humboldt competed in the CIB judging in 2012 as well, their debut onto the national stage. Although they narrowly lost to Jasper, Alta. in their population group, the city's Water Ridge Park was specially acknowledged; Humboldt's ability to reuse historic buildings, the Humboldt & District Heritage Garden and local environmental programs were also lauded.
However, back then, the judges did point out that backyard alleyways should be tidier and free of refuse and unsightly weeds and other debris.
Hopefully this year, residents cleaned up their backyard, in conjunction with Tidy Community Week, organized by the community and leisure services department, which ran from June 9-15.
Eaton didn't mince words when asked how he felt about this year's CIB results.
"Awesome," he said.
"We're just really happy to be a part of the program," he went on. "All credit goes to the local [CIB] committee for the work they put into preparing for the judging."
While sprucing up trails and plopping down lovely flowerpots along Main Street is sure to catch the judges' eye each year, CIB is more than just a once-a-year quick pick-me-up.
"In the long run, residents can benefit financially through community tourism initiatives, business opportunities and other related projects," they said in their 2012 evaluation report.
So really, it's an easy and fun initiative to better Humboldt, as a whole, for decades to come.
Communities in Bloom is a national organization that encourages communities and cities, both nationally and internationally, to foster civic pride through environmental responsibility, beautification and historical preservation.
Communities can enter into the competition, competitive or non-competitive, in the provincial judging, before having the chance to be asked to the national stage the following year.
This was the second year Humboldt competed at the national level in the CIB judging, earning its second five out of five blooms.
