Ten years ago the City of Norfolk Tree Advisory Board began awarding the Green Leaf Award. This year, two residents and a business are recognized.
The Green Leaf Award highlights a property’s exceptional landscaping based on nominations submitted from August through September. The winners of both the residential and business Green Leaf Awards are chosen based on what can be seen from the street, or “curb appeal”, and the incorporation of trees in some way.
This year’s recipient of the Green Leaf Award for Business is Madison County Extension. This award is being presented not only for the welcoming landscaping and the addition of trees to this property—but also because of its well-groomed and bountiful community garden.
Nebraska Extension in Madison County received multiple grants in the amount of $11,097 to establish a garden and fruit trees to benefit the needy in Madison County. They transformed an area next to their office. It contains several varieties of apple, peach, and plum trees, grapes, raspberries, and vegetables. As of this year, they have harvested over 7,400 pounds of produce valued at $12,400. The staff, Master Gardeners, and volunteers take care of the area and help to distribute the food to the Norfolk Food Pantry and the Norfolk Rescue Mission.
Carol Severa is one of the recipients for the Green Leaf Residence Award this year. Every year Carol has provided much beauty to the neighbors, pedestrians, and motorists who travel by her home located at 1622 Koenigstein Avenue. Her side and backyards are adjacent to 18th Street and displays the beautiful perennial and annual flowers and grasses. The property has a variety of trees and an amazing flower garden catching your eye right away with an assortment of colors comparable to a springtime rainbow.
Scott & Donna Andrew are the other winners for the Green Leaf Residence Award this year. This property is noticed by many who travel by vehicle or walking along Valli Hi Road. The variety of shrubs, perennial and grasses bring color to the yard from spring to fall. The landscape has numerous deciduous and evergreen trees that add to the year-round color.
Past winners of the Green Leaf Award include: Women’s Health of Northeast Nebraska (2011); Sunset Plaza Mall (2012); Stratton, Delay, Doele, Carlson & Buettner, PC LLO (2013); Faith Regional Health Services (2014); Northeast Community College and Bob and Nancy Boe (2015); Deets HomeStore and Marsha Eckert (2016); McDonald’s on Riverside Boulevard and Dennis Collins (2017); Immaculata Monastery and Ron and Carol Krutsinger (2018); Raising Cane’s and Jay and Brenda Fleecs (2019); U.S. Bank Memorial and Paul and Sally Splittgerber (2020).
The tree board is grateful for the efforts, dedication, and investment that citizens have placed in their landscaping as it helps beautify and enhance the city. The Tree Advisory Board will be accepting nominations again next summer.