[caption id="attachment_13036" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://mountainmedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2015/07/America-in-Bloom-judges.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-13036" alt="America In Bloom judges Linda Cromer (left) and Melanie Riggs (right) flank Shannon Beatty, coordinator of the Lewisburg In Bloom project in which citizens, businesses, and local government have combined to create many community improvements and visible enhancements in preparation for the Beautiful Small Town contest. " src="https://mountainmedianews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2015/07/America-in-Bloom-judges-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a> America In Bloom judges Linda Cromer (left) and Melanie Riggs (right) flank Shannon Beatty, coordinator of the Lewisburg In Bloom project in which citizens, businesses, and local government have combined to create many community improvements and visible enhancements in preparation for the Beautiful Small Town contest.[/caption] <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">By Peggy Mackenzie</span> “Lewisburg is our poster child for doing everything right,” said America In Bloom (AIB) judge Linda Cromer, who, with fellow judge Melanie Riggs, was feted at a reception Wednesday evening at the Greenbrier Visitors Center in Lewisburg. “There are some smart folks here,” she continued, adding, “and hard workers, too.” Cromer also announced that Mayor John Manchester has agreed to serve on America In Bloom’s board of directors. Cromer said the reason he was asked was because of all that Lewisburg is doing in participating as a contestant for America’s Most Beautiful Small Towns. “Many communities are in desperate need of a vehicle to bring their communities together,” said Riggs, “and projects [such as this one stimulated by AIB] can give people a way to focus on what’s really important and bring vitality back into their communities.” “What would we do without Shannon?” rose the cry from the attending crowd. Obviously, many locals contributed to the success of the AIB beautiful small town project, but coordinator Shannon Beatty was roundly applauded for her grace and vigor in spearheading the efforts to beautify the town. The AIB community profile for Lewisburg, which she compiled, is filled with stunning photographs by Connie Manchester, and exemplifies, in a condensed way, how special Lewisburg is.
