The judges of the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association’s 73rd annual show held in Kamsack on Friday agreed that although due to the extreme drought and heat the quality of some of the exhibits was not as good as it has been in other years, they were pleased with what was displayed.
The Kamsack and District Horticulture Society was the host of this year’s provincial show which was held in the OCC Hall and had attracted a total of 396 entries from 35 exhibitors, including eight junior gardeners.
Of those exhibiting, 17, which is about half, were members of the Kamsack society, said Kerry Chernoff, a member of the organizing committee.
Judging the show were Amanda Ryce of Saskatoon, Vi Protz of Yorkton, Karen Pfeifer of Runnymede and Helen Panchuk of Kamsack.
“I was pleased to see so many exhibits because in a year this this, it was not easy to find things to exhibit,” Pfeifer said, adding that she was pleased to see a very good display of strawberries at this time of year and that some cabbages were “really nice” with good weight and confirmation.
Kamsack’s provincial horticulture show said impressive
in spite of growing conditions that were less than optimum
“I was impressed with the floral art and arrangements,” she said. “It takes a lot of effort to do that.”
Pfeifer said she has detected increased interest in persons wanting to join the society and commented on the many out-of-town gardeners who attended.
“That outside interest is extremely appreciated, she said. That demonstrates how the club has grown and is proving to be worthwhile and good for the community. There’s also more interest from the younger gardeners.
Caroline Gartner of Rosetwon, who is the webmaster for the Saskatchewan Horticulture Association on the I Can Garden website, which carried the show book for the event, characterized the show as having been “awesome.”
“Some of the plants were gorgeous,” said judge Vi Protz. The junior exhibits were very good and I encourage the young gardeners to keep on working and they will improve.
The season was slow to begin and then it speeded up, she said. “Everything looks pretty good.”
Amanda Ryce, the Saskatoon judge, congratulated the organizers for having done “an awesome job presenting the show, even though conditions were less than optimal this year.
“They put on a very respectable show and it makes judging easier under these conditions,” she said.
Commenting on the various exhibits, Ryce said that she had never seen salisify at a show. It was entered by Lorne Sobothniski of Danbury.
The cut arrangements were beautiful, including one composition entirely of foliage, she said, describing them as having been innovative.
“I loved the kids’ section,” she said. “If we can encourage juniors to garden, the practice will continue.
“I also enjoyed tasting the wines.”
Runnymede gardener named show’s grand aggregate winner
When tallies were made it was Madison Mines of Runnymede who was named the grand aggregate winner with 150 points. Sobothniski placed second with 130 points; Phyllis Hanson of Assiniboia was third with 125 points; Vicky Koreluik, fourth with 110 points, and Lorraine Barabash and Pat Shotenski tied for fifth with 96 points.
In Class 1, houseplants, Madison Mines placed first, while second and third places went to Sherry Guenther and Vicky Koreluik.
Class 2, annual flowers, was won by Lorne Sobothniski, with Pat Shotenski and Vicky Koreluik placing second and third.
Eleanor Lenderbeck topped Class 3, perennials, while Lorne Sobothniski and Lorraine Barabash placed second and third.
Vicky Koreluik won Class 4 for sweet peas. She had the only entry in the class.
Lorne Sobothniski topped Class 5 for dahlias. Phyllis Hanson, his sister, placed second and Lorraine Barabash was third.
Pat Shotenski topped Class 6 for roses. Marie Hudye was second, and Eleanor Lenderbeck, third.
Cindy Koreluik, president of the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association and the Kamsack society, took the first-place honours in Class 7 for gladioli. Phyllis Hanson was second, and Vicky Koreluik, third.
In Class 8, which is for floral art, Lorraine Barabash was first, and Eleanor Lenderbeck, second.
Class 9 was for flower arranging and Debbie Hayward of Yorkton placed first; Lorraine Barabash, second, and Eleanor Lenderbeck, third.
Phyllis Hanson topped Class 10 for fruits. Pat Shotenski was second, and Cindy Koreluik, third.
Hanson won Class 11, for vegetables, while Cindy Koreluik placed second, and Madison Mines, third.
Class 12 was for flowers exhibited by junior gardeners. Taylor Thurlow placed first; Cassia Bowes, second, and Riley Dix, third.
Class 13, for vegetables exhibited by junior gardeners, was topped by Taylor Thurlow, while Dawson Ciocia of Assiniboia placed second, and Donovan Dix, third.
Class 14 was the horticulture club event in which club members were required to grow large pots with Canada 150 as the theme. Cindy Koreluik placed first; Phyllis McKave, second, and Lorraine Barabash, third.
Class 15 was for concoctions, creations, photography and quilts and it was topped by Madison Mines. Vicky Koreluik placed second, and Lorraine Barabash, third.
