Visitors dig garden green thumb creations

            Mother Nature brought the finest weather to the area as visitors to the 63^rd Annual Windthorst Horticulture Show admired the hard work of green thumb enthusiasts of all ages on Tuesday, Aug. 15. The Windthorst community welcomed visitors from near and far to view the brilliantly coloured flower arrangements, decorative potted plants, vegetable varieties and imaginative junior garden creations brought to life by 14 members of the Windthorst Horticultural Society and 36 children ages two to 14.

            The 63^rd Annual event attracted over 100 people of various communities to the Windthorst Community Recreation Centre and was honourably dedicated to the late Betty-Jean Tholl. “Her passion was horticulture,” reports many members of the society. Visitors to the event were pleased with the dedication made to a wonderful person and garden enthusiast, Betty-Jean.

            “It was very nice to see how many entries were put in on behalf of Betty-Jean,” Maria Burns shares.

            “I really enjoyed this nice outing,” adds Eunice Barthelette, “It was really nice that they included Betty-Jean.”

            This year's theme for the green-thumb gardening event was in respect to the Celebration of Canada's 150^th: “We thank everyone for entering, especially since we have such a severe drought this year,” states Carol Miller, member of the Windthorst Horticultural Society. Records indicated that the show was down in participants and visitors this year, however, the participants brought a huge variety of garden pride to the show.

            “We were blessed to be entertained by some of the children from the recent Theatrical Camp led by Robyn Roy-Hampton,” Miller smiles as she shares the exciting news of the young talent. “They had an awesome presentation on gardening with songs by their gardeners, scarecrows, roses and weeds! It even ended in a hoe-down!”

            Visitor Gail DeWinter laughs, “the kids that sang were really, really good! Their songs related to flowers and weeds and they all had shovels! It really suited the theme!”

            An assortment of approximately 30 door prizes were drawn for the guests who signed the 2017 Windthorst Horticultural Society event register. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch and snacked on an assortment of fresh baking treats.

            Ruth Duryba of Grenfell and Allan Daku of Kennedy were judges for the 335 adult entries  and Trevor Parley of Windthorst judged 222 entries from 36 junior entries. The 557 entries (down from 641 in 2016) had a grand total of $1,499 in participant payouts.        

            Judges favourites “Best of Show” winners: Potted Plant 'begonia' awarded to Ilene Hales; Vegetable 'carrots' awarded to Barbara Kuntz; Flower 'Gladiola' awarded to Barbara Kuntz; Junior 'vegetable creation' awarded to Ava Kuntz.

            Adults “Most Points” winners: 1^st Carol Miller; 2^nd Barb Kuntz; 3^rd Allan Daku; 4^th Keith Biesenthal; 5^th Dan Synk; 6^th Ilene Hales; 7^th Raye Hassler.

            “In the Junior Section, the society is very pleased with the number and quality of the entries from 36 children ages two to 14 years. Well done kids!” Miller says proudly. “We really appreciate your learning to become gardeners. Every kid is important in horticulture and our 'Grandma Program' is working!”

            Junior “Most Points” five and under winners: 1^st Alexa Spencer; 2^nd Auley Whyte; 3^rd Riley Brown; 4^th Kyron Ball; 5^th Ruby Duryba; 6^th Isla Whyte.

            Junior “Most Points” ages six to eight winners: 1^st Hayley Brown; 2^nd Riley Kuntz; 3^rd Aurelia Whyte; 4^th Katelyn Brown; 5^th place tie for Colton Spencer and Addison Ball; 6^th Piper Duryba.

            Junior “Most Points” ages nine to 11 winners: 1^st Ava Kuntz; 2^nd Maya Campbell; 3^rd Elizabeth Sali; 4^th Taylor Andres; 5^th Lucas Sali; 6^th Annique Chartier; 7^th Jordan Andres.

            Junior “Most Points” ages 12 and over winners: 1^st Sarah Sproat; 2^nd place tie for Alex Lacasse and Ariella Samonti; 3^rd Bryson Andres.