Winners of Annual Cooperstown Beautification Contest Announced
COOPERSTOWN—Jane Forbes Clark, president of The Clark Foundation, has announced the winners of the 2026 Clark Foundation Cooperstown Beautification Contest. Held annually since 1954, village residential and business properties are judged on their horticultural beautification efforts in three categories:
- Most Attractive Floral Display in a Business Setting.
- Most Effective Overall Planting Which Enhances a Residential Property, As Seen from the Street.
- Most Appropriate Residential or Business Window Box or Boxes and/or Hanging Basket or Baskets.
There is a $1,000.00 award for First Place; $750.00 for Second Place; $500.00 for Third Place; and $400.00 for Honorable Mention for each category.
“Over 70 years ago, my grandmother, Susan Vanderpoel Clark, founded the Cooperstown Beautification Contest to recognize the wonderful efforts so many Village residents take to make us look so beautiful and welcoming,” Clark said. She added, “She would be incredibly happy that the tradition she began continues.”
This year’s Beautification Contest judges were Kris Ann Elario and Mary K. Hughes. Elario holds a degree in plant science and floriculture from SUNY Cobleskill. She is the owner of Fleurtacious Designs in Latham, which specializes in wedding and event floral design, creating bespoke floral designs for the Capital Region and beyond for more than 20 years. Hughes is a graduate of SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in horticulture. She is the owner of Home Grown Perennials, a garden design and maintenance business based in Columbia County that curates and maintains the heirloom gardens at the Olana and Clermont historic sites.
Beautification Contest award winners for 2026 are:
Category I: Most Attractive Floral Display in a Business Setting.
First: The Inn at Cooperstown, 16 Chestnut Street LLC, 16 Chestnut Street
Judges’ Comments: The planters and hanging baskets complement the building beautifully. The color palette is spot on, and the thoughtful use of materials reflects true expertise.
Second: Cooper Country Crafts, Judy Curry, 6 Doubleday Court
Judges’ Comments: Vibrant, healthy hanging baskets, complemented by the mixed flowers in the window boxes, creates a pretty, feminine display.
Third: Metro Cleaners, Helmut Michelitsch, 115 Main Street
Judges’ Comments: Multiple designs create an eye-catching display. Simple colors with multiple textures of plant material make the blue in the flags pop!
Category I Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order): Norbu, Kunsang Tsering Gurung, 149 Main Street; Pioneer Patio, Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Kathryn Busse, 46 Pioneer Street; and Pioneer Sports Cards, Mark Wolpert, 106 Main Street.
Category II: Most Effective Overall Planting Which Enhances a Residential Property, As Seen from the Street.
First: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Scurry, 28 Lake Street
Judges’ Comments: A classic design that is simple and pleasing to the eye, with thoughtful plants chosen for the urns.
Second: Dr. Jose Raul Monzon and Dr. Bridget O’Mara, 108 Pioneer Street
Judges’ Comments: A home and garden loved by its owner! Time and thought went into the choice of materials and overall care for the front and side gardens.
Third: Gwen Malone, 30 Leatherstocking Street
Judges’ Comments: The pink pops throughout the front, while the well-maintained side and back gardens continue the thoughtful designs. Love how the blue from the front door is carried throughout the yard with different design elements.
Category II: Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order): Torrence Dutcher and Dr. Elizabeth Redd, 42 Delaware Street; Jessie Ravage, 34 Delaware Street; and Julia Signitzer, 57 Lake Street
Category III: Most Appropriate Residential or Business Window Box or Boxes and/or Hanging Basket or Baskets.
First: Steven Schmidt and Lisa Moffa, 6 Elk Street
Judges’ Comments: Great color choices, with a thoughtful secondary color triad that catches your eye from the street. Everything was planted beautifully and cared for.
Second: Louis Allstadt and Melinda Hardin, 18 Main Street
Judges’ Comments: A simple, classic style with thoughtful use of texture and color that complements the brick home beautifully.
Third: Penney Gentile, 20 Nelson Avenue
Judges’ Comments: Classic plantings complement the home beautifully with the chosen colors. Lush and well cared for.
Category III: Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order): Mr. and Mrs. Allan and Elizabeth Burgess, 77 Beaver Street; Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Barbara Havlik, 94 Fair Street; and Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Meg Tillapaugh, 24 Pioneer Street
