The Battlefords Horticultural Society held their annual show Aug. 14 to 16 at the Agriplex during the Battlefords Agricultural Society Territorial Days in conjunction with other domestic exhibits.
According to the guest book, more than 300 people came to see the displays of horticulture, crafts, needlework, photography and baking.
Despite the nice summer weather, the entries to the show were down to 217 from 12 exhibitors. One exhibitor, who usually enters about 50 items, was not able to participate. Three juniors brought 30 exhibits and nine adults brought the other 187.
Judge Glen Caffett from Spiritwood did a great job and was pleased with the quality of the exhibits.
There were 36 entries in the houseplant category including many interesting plants. Vegetables were about the same as last year with 56 entries. All other classes were down. It was strange to see no sweet peas and only three gladiolus and four dahlia entries.
The floral art and flower arranging brought the usual colourful display of 30 exhibits from two members.
The awards will be presented Sept. 16 at the Hillcrest Centre in Battleford after a potluck supper at 6 p.m. It would be nice if all the donors could come to present their awards, especially best in show.
Eva Speer won the houseplant category and also plate of plums.
Barbara Soloninko won annual cut flowers, best senior cut flower collection, best rose, vegetable plate, plate of apples and plate of small fruit.
Maxine Beardsworth won best petunia, cut flowers/lilies and miniature rose.
Best perennial and best dahlia were won by Betty Anne Lee.
Ruth Bilanski won the Milburn Plaque for best vase/basket; floral art, flower arrangement and basket of cut flowers.
Best plate of tomatoes was won by Cora Christiansen.
Monica Shepherd Memorial Ward for best rose was won by Barbara Soloninko.
The junior competition had some interesting arrangements and vegetable entries.
In Class 12, age nine and under, Marusia Shevchuk won cut flowers, vegetable and flower arrangment. Ivan Shechuk won the best vegetable competition.
In Class 13, age 10 to 16, Matalya Shevchuk won cut flowers, vegetables, flower arrangement and vegetable competition.
Marusia Shevchuk earned 73 points to earn the junior aggregate award. Natalya Shevchuk was runner up with 53 points.
The grand aggregate L.E. Buchanan Memorial Award was won by Maxine Beardsworth with 146 points. She also won the Carol Gonda Memorial Plaque for roses.
Eva Speer had high points for houseplants and cut flowers. The George Jamieson Memorial for fruit was earned by Barbara Soloninko.
Other aggregate winners were: dahlias - Betty Anne Lee; floral art - Helen Buchanan; and gladiolus and flower arranging - Ruth Bilanski.
Earning the H.L. Cave memorial plaque for vegetables was Cora Christiansen.
Congratulations to all the winners, especially first time winner Betty Anne Lee, who earned the Joyce Weston Plaque.
The annual meeting for the provincial horticultural association will be held in Regina Sept. 27 and 28. The society is looking for a delegate to attend. Expenses are paid and a report is expected at the October or November meeting.
The Oct. 21 meeting will be at Hillcrest Centre, Battleford with a seed exchange. We welcome new members. The fee is only $5 and meetings are held the third Monday and programming will be provided. We do lunch.
