Yorkton in Bloom is about highlighting the people who make the city look good, awarding the gardeners who put in the time and effort to make the best looking yards and gardens they can.
One of those winners was Sylvia Bodnar, who with her husband Jon was recognized for their work in all aspects of their home. She says every year it's a challenge to see what she can do, and she's always pushing herself to try new things, look at different ideas, and make one of the best spaces in the city.
"If I'm going to have a garden, it needs to be a nice one, and if you're going to have a yard you should have it the way you like it."
This year has been a challenge, Bodnar says, because the weather has been uncooperative during the whole growing season, with heavy rains and cold weather doing damage to many of the plants. She notes that her husband had some champion cucumbers last year, but this year has been a struggle to get them growing. She says it's bouncing back, and it's rewarding to see the garden come together even during a difficult year.
She says she plans to go all out next year in order to celebrate her 75th birthday. She says she might slow down eventually, but the Bodnar home was purchased partially because there was so much potential in the back yard, and she enjoys bringing out the best in it each year, and trying to make it better every time.
The list of winners is as follows:
Best Home Front Yard:
Sylvia Bodnar - 5 Delaere Drive
Brittany Stachura and Joshua Mickleborough - 26 Logan Cres. W.
Best Home Back Yard:
Natalie Bylsma - 47 Cedarwood Cres.
Best Mobile Home Ground:
Margaret Lachowsky - 56 Westshore Greens.
Best Vegetable/Community Garden:
Max and Vi Protz - 80 Irwin Ave.
Best Senior Housing Complex Deck/Balcony:
Queen Elizabeth Court 2nd and 3rd floor balconies - 113 4th Ave. N.
Best Residential Street:
Manitoba Ave.
Golden Bloomer Awards:
Best Home Back Yard, Best Vegetable/Community Garden:
Jon and Sylvia Bodnar - 5 Delaere Drive.
Best Senior Housing Unit:
Florance Matechuk - 140 Jubilee Cres.
