The Daily Freeman is reporting Catskill has received a four-bloom rating and special recognition for its floral displays from the 2017 America in Bloom National Awards Program. The awards were announced Sat., Oct. 7, at the America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program held in Holliston, Mass. Participants were evaluated on overall impression, environmental awareness, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas, and floral displays. They were also judged on community involvement across municipal, residential and commercial sectors. Catskill received four out of a possible five-bloom rating. Two judges from the national beautification program toured Catskill for two days, to evaluate the village’s appearance, from flowers and trees to historic buildings and parks. Catskill's competitors in the 3,500 to 10,000 population category included Bluffton, Ohio; Brewton, Alabama; Kimberly, Wisconsin; and Lewisburg, West Virginia. More than 250 communities from 45 states have participated in the program. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.