Acton Area Looks Good
Every summer The Acton Garden Club conducts the ‘Acton’s Looking Good Contest’ in order to acknowledge Acton businesses whose landscapes enhance the town’s beauty and to encourage more businesses to improve their landscapes.
During the summer months, members of the committee serve as judges to evaluate business properties. Criteria for judging include design, color, texture, scale, and maintenance. Awards are chosen in six or seven categories which are decided by the judges. Categories may include, but are not limited to, the following: Single Retail, Plaza, Multiple Occupant Retail, Professional Business, New Business, Most Improved, Small Space, Cottage Garden, Landscaped Intersection, Garden Center, Culinary Garden, or Continued Excellence.
The awards are presented with plaques containing photographs of their property at our November meeting.
Acton Garden Club Announces
2025 “Acton’s Looking Good” Awards
By Ann Marie Testarmata
With all the challenges facing the residents and business in the town of Acton, from dust and drought to ongoing construction at Kelly’s Corner to rains, floods, winds and ongoing global climate change, it’s a wonder there’s time or space for beauty, flowers and landscaping among our business, but in little corners of Acton, small oases of beauty and calm are there. They ease the tension of the day and help us forge on as we shop, eat, drink and manage our lives. The Acton Garden Club’s Acton’s Looking Good Committee was out once again in full force scanning the town for these gifts of beauty among its many businesses.
Our committee of dedicated members travelled throughout the town this summer, searching for gardens and landscapes deserving of recognition, They discovered many unique and beautiful gardens and landscaping by the business community of Acton and faced the difficult task of making the awards to a select few. This year’s recipients were chosen for the unique characters of their gardens and the spaces they transformed to bring whimsy, joy, and peace to our community.
Honors were given to Rapscallion Restaurant for their eye catching entryway to their restaurant.
Lisa Di Bartelomeo accepted the award
Touche Hair Salon caught the attention of our committee with their stunning container garden at their back entrance visible to clients enter from the parking. Owner Marisa Tomasic accepted the award.
Middlesex Bank was notable for their “Oasis of Peace” and calm in the chaos of the Kelley Square construction. The award was accepted by Pauline Belen Middlesex Bank assistant branch manager, and Christy Shepard.
Acton Main Street Mini Storage were honored for their whimsical garden and landscaping. Marcia Hartwelll, property manager and Pamela Fuller, assistant property manager accepted the award.
The 2025 Acton’s Looking Good Awards (left to right)
Rapscallion Restaurant – Eye Catching Entry – Lisa Di Bartelomeo
Touche Hair Salon – Hidden Gem – Marisa Tomasic
Middlesex Bank – “Oasis of Peace” – Pauline Belen & Christy Shepard
Acton Main Street Mini Storage “Whimsical Garden” – Marcia Hartwell &Pamela Fuller
The Recipients of the 2025 “Acton’s Looking Good” Award were honored October 7 th at the Acton Garden Club meeting with a plaque and photograph of their landscape and a reception at Acton Town Hall. Congratulations to the 2025 Awardees. We can’t wait to see what we will find in 2026!
The 2024 Acton’s Looking Good Awards are: (left to right)
Dunkin’s – (on 2A) – Consistent Excellence – Megan and Mark Pesce
Eve and Murray’s – Whimsical Presentation – Dawn Agular and Tamara Murray Delusion
Acton Family Dental – Beautiful Entry Gardens – Eleanor Hurl, assistant to Dr. Yao
Life Care Center – Welcoming Gardens – Lauren Welch
Legends Café – Inviting Small Garden – Jingbo Li – Award presented by Heather Makis.
The 2023 Acton’s Looking Good Awards:
Best Stand Alone Business – Acton Funeral Home – Dan White
Best Use of Small Space – Ernie’s Auto Body – Rose Silveria
Best New Garden – Tavenier Place – Rachelly Bartolotta
Continued Excellence – West Acton Village – Lauren Richardt
Best Use of Container Gardens – Anita’s Shoe Boutique – Anita Opitz
Best Retail Plaza – TJ Maxx/Roche – Larry Farrell Mgr. of TJ Maxx
2022 Acton’s Looking Good Awards (from left to right)
Christine Haufler and Lucinda Sears, The Bees Knees
Lucy Goldstein, West Acton Villageworks
Megan and Mark Pesce, Great Road Dunkin’
Paul Swydan, The Silver Unicorn
The Bees Knees – Best Curb Appeal
West Acton Villageworks – Best Retail Plaza
Great Road Dunkin’ – Best New Innovative Garden
The Silver Unicorn – Best Stand-Alone Business
Kitchen Outfitters – Best Use of Containers
Acton Pro Tech Gas – Best Intersection
2018 Acton’s Looking Good Awards (from left to right)
Paula Wright, MacDonalds; Kathy Doran Boyle, Acton Funeral Home; Sam Paolini, Post Road Carpet; Kaila Gallagher
McDonald’s – Best Curbside Appeal
Acton Funeral Home – Best Single Business
Post Road Carpet – Best Natural Landscape Use
Harbor Seal LLC. – Best Small Freestanding Business
ProTech Route 27/2A – Continued Excellence
Gould’s Plaza – Best Containers
Bursaw Gas & Oil Inc. – Best Cottage Garden
2017 Acton’s Looking Good Awards (from left to right)
Beth Secinaro and Mary Jo Bates-Acton Water District, Todd Brown-Lincoln Tree, Rick Guinazzo-Filho’s, Joe Carey-McDonald’s, Mr. Rata-Sunoco and Pro-Tech
Acton Water District – Best Waterwise Landscape
Lincoln Tree – Best Landscaped Residential
Rick Guinazzo – Filho’s – Best Restaurant Landscape
Joe Carey – McDonald’s – Continued Excellence
Mr. Rata – Sunoco at Rt. 27 & 111 and Pro-Tech at Rt. 2A & 27 – Best Landscaped Intersection
Idylwilde Farms – Best Curb Appeal
CVS – Best Single Retail Landscape