The Battlefords and Area Horticultural Society held their annual show of horticulture during Northwest Territorial Days, in conjunction with the domestic exhibits at the Agriplex August 15 to 17.
The persistent rain Aug. 14 affected all parts of the exhibition and exhibitors at the horticultural show found it difficult to get to the garden to cut flowers and vegetables. When the showers stopped and the sun shone for a time, members had to be out and gathering. Even so, some of us were caught and raincoats were not always enough.
The rain cut down the number of entries. There were only 246 entries, 10 less than in 2011, and only 13 intrepid exhibitors - 10 adults and three juniors - participated. According to judges - Amanda Ryce, of Saskatoon, and Marilyn McDonald, of Dalmeny - the exhibits were of good quality and well displayed. In total, 300 visitors signed the guest book and the society received many compliments.
The winners of best in show were: Maxine Beardsworth for Cut Flowers - Perennials, Senior Competition, Miniature Rose, and Plate of Small Fruit; Ruth Bilanski for Vase of Sweet Peas, Gladiolus Spike, Basket of Glads, Flower Arrangement and Best Lily; Doug Doucette for Cut Flowers - Petunia, Dahlia, and Rose; Cora Christinson for Vegetable Plate, and Plate of Apples; Barbara Soloninko for House Plant, Cut Flowers - Annual and Tomatoes.
The winner of the Junior Class 12 was Marusia Shevchuk with Cut Flowers, Tomatoes, and Vegetables. The winner of the Junior Class 13 was Natalya Shevchuk with Cut Flowers and Vegetable.
Adult first time exhibitor winner was Esther Huard. The junior first time exhibitor winner was Ivan Shevchuk.
Aggregate Awards were presented to: Ruth Bilanski, Grand Aggregate Award for Cut Flowers, Sweet Peas, Flower Arranging and Gladiolus and the L.E Buchanan Memorial Plaque; Maxine Beardsworth, Carol Gonda Memorial Plaque for House Plant and Roses and Monica Shepherd Memorial Plaque for Best Rose Overall; Cora Christinson, H.L. Cave Memorial for Vegetables; Doug Doucette, Floral Art for Dahlias; Barbara Soloninko, C. Jamieson Memorial for Fruit; Marusia Shevchuk, Junior Aggregate Award.
The Society invites the winners and donors to be present at the awards presentation Monday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. after the potluck supper at 6 p.m. The donors' names are in the show book. It would be good to have the winners receive their award from the donor of their award. A business meeting, in regards to seed exchange program planning, will follow at 8 p.m.
Thank-you to all of the members who brought entries and helped at the show. We are looking for new members and also hope for new exhibitors. The society meets at the Hillcrest Centre, 124-24th St. in Battleford.
