Warwick in Bloom presents award to Warwick Valley Auto Body

Warwick — It’s not every day that an auto body shop wins an award for beautification. But that is just what happened on Monday when Warwick In Bloom presented Ken and Charlie Zimmerli with a certificate of appreciation for doing their part in keeping Warwick beautiful. “This benefits everyone,” said Warwick In Bloom co-chair Heidi Hamilton Petrucci. “It’s about beautification for the entire community.” Petrucci was on hand, along with Eileen Patterson and Deborah Sweeten from Warwick In Bloom, and village Mayor Michael Newhard to recognize the Zimmerli family for contributing to keeping Warwick beautiful. The front of the Zimmerli’s business on Main Street, Warwick Valley Auto Body, is nothing short of a gardener’s dream. The Zimmerlis and Warwick Valley Auto Body are the second recipients of this acknowledgement; the first seasonal award was presented to the Warwick Valley Gardeners. According to Patterson, the certificate expresses gratitude to business owners and community organizations that are joining the effort to beautify the community. Newhard also praised the Zimmerlis for their contribution to keeping Main Street beautiful. “Charlie (Zimmerli) said they get enjoyment from this because people walk by and their flowers make people happy. It makes me happy that someone takes the initiative and love and enhances the streetscape,” said Newhard. “They are an example of beautification we really recognize in the village. They raise the bar for all of us.” Warwick in Bloom is an independent, non-profit group of volunteers interested in beautifying the community and educating area residents about improving the quality of life. The volunteers share gardening ideas and information with people throughout the region and on their Web site, www.warwickinfo.net/wib.