Gardeners from the Norquay area displayed the bounty from their gardens and yards at the annual Norquay Horticultural Society show held at the Norquay Communiplex.
Twenty exhibitors brought in a total of 197 entries on August 15.
“The show was judged by Karen Pfeifer of Runnymede, who provided many excellent tips to be shared for future exhibitions,” said Deshan Kortello, the secretary-treasurer of the Society.
A wide variety of flowers were displayed, including gladiolas, dahlias, lilies, annual and perennial cut flowers and flower arrangements. Pfeifer noted that some of the gladiolas had formed imperfectly this year, missing some buds along the spikes.
There was a colourful and varied presentation of cut flowers with the largest number of entries in the petunia and pansy categories, according to Kortello.
“The vegetable categories are always popular and were well represented. Beans, beets, carrots, cucumbers, potatoes and tomatoes saw the most entries. And something that we don't often see, cantaloupe and watermelon.
“There was a good representation in the children's categories, with some creative inventions made with various vegetables, a variety of painted rocks and a vegetable necklace that looked good enough to eat.
“The baking categories presented a range of tastes, including buns, cinnamon buns, cookies, cakes, pies and one incredibly intricate, beautifully decorated cake. An apple pie entered by Delphine Howard was named best pie in the show.”
In a short program during the afternoon, trophies were presented to 12 different exhibitors. Jacqueline Ginetz received trophies for the best rose of the show and for best corn. She received the vegetables aggregate trophy for the highest number of points in the vegetable categories.
Derek Howard had the best white potatoes in the show. Delphine showed the best carrots (over five inches long), the best collection of seven different vegetables, the best buns, and the best pie.
Delphine and her daughter Jacqueline (Ginetz) tied for highest aggregate points and shared the grand aggregate trophy.
Kortello had the best dahlia arrangement, the best Tiger Lily and the best sweet pea arrangement. Amanda Holinaty topped the competition with her rose arrangement. Her daughter Peyton Holinaty won the award for the best pansies and her other daughter, Emmarie Holinaty received the trophy for the highest aggregate points in the junior age eight-and-under division.
The oriental lily trophy went to Iris Grywacheski, as did the trophy for the best ripe tomatoes.
“Lacey Unterschute received a trophy for her amazing decorated cake,” Kortello said.
First time participant Twyla Johnson showed some “fabulous gladiolas.” She had the best red gladiolus as well as the best gladiolus in the show. She also showed the best vase of annual flowers.
Marlene Hamm entered the best decorative dahlia. Another first time participant, Lily Kish had the best ginger snaps in the show and she also received the highest aggregate points in the junior age nine to 12 category.
“The Norquay Horticultural Society is grateful to community members who took the time to come out and enjoy the displays,” Kortello said.
