STOUGHTON - After 118 years, the Stoughton Agricultural Society is still hosting horticultural shows. Their most recent one was held on Aug. 11 at the Stoughton Drop-In Centre.
This group of women hosts two shows a year. The summer show is held during Stoughton Daze and consists of baking, sewing and handcrafted items, as the August show is for produce, preserves and flowers.
The agricultural executive – president Valerie Goudy, vice-president Laura Sabadoes, treasurer Inga Hill and secretary Gwen Veer – work hard throughout the year to continue with these shows, always trying to add to the show to entice new members to participate.
Hill began entering items at the age of eight. Now 76 years later she is still part of this event.
There are seven classes in this show, so lots to pick from if one wants to do an entry.
Judging began at 11 a.m., with the judges coming from Weyburn and Arcola. Preserves are opened and evaluated. They must be in a sealed jar, and the contents must have a fresh smell and the taste needs to be better.
Produce is judged on the colour, texture and how uniform the produce looks.
Not only is this a wonderful experience, but with the knowledge of the judges and organizers, it is very educational.
The Stoughton Agricultural Society once had 60 active members and now only has 15.
Hill was grateful to see more new members this year when they participated in most of the classes.
Anne Milton and her two children, Nathan who is six years old and Laura who is just three, partook for the first time this year, and placed first in their class, while 11-year-old Lillian Duthie placed first in her class.
The youngsters were full of smiles and eager to show off their vegetable and fruit masterpieces.
According to Hill, it is active membership that keeps these shows going.
Coffee, tea and sweets were served from 3-5 p.m. It is at this time that visitors can come in, view the exhibits and sit and have a social. The tables were filled with people.
It is the hope of the society to intrigue more children to get involved with entering.
