To the Editor:

The Village Improvement Association, a 135-year-old nonprofit organization committed to making Brunswick more attractive — and the source of the annual summer plantings in Maine Street medians — is pleased to announce the winners of our fourth annual window box and planter competition among businesses in the Maine Street area.

Tied for first place, with $250 to each, were Wild Oats Bakery and Cafe, and Blessings Home Decor.

The most original, with a $150 prize, went to Shift sustainable home goods.

The best new entry, fetching $100, goes to Lemongrass restaurant.

And honorable mentions go to Henry and Marty restaurant and catering, The Inn at Brunswick Station, It’s All Good consignments, Jenney Station tobacconist, Norway Savings Bank and Timeless Cottage home decor.

Special kudos this year go to neighboring stores Lemongrass, It’s All Good and Benchwarmers for seeking permission from the town, then digging up and planting a fourstore length of garden between their sidewalk and Maine Street. They contributed money, labor — with a promise to keep it weeded — and artistry to create a colorful stretch of perennials on upper Maine.

Also of note, Shift started its front-of-store plantings with only seeds so the public could watch labeled plants develop over the summer.

Twenty-five businesses entered this year’s competition — and what a difference their offerings make to a more inviting downtown.

Thanks from us all.

Dick Moll
Village Improvement
Association
Brunswick