Readers will not seem surprised if we share that our flower shows followed “250 Years of American Milestones.” The Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club committee worked in the winter months to divide that big theme into “Events in American History” for the Aug. 3 show. The second show used “Momentous American Inventions.”
Several of the newer garden club members really went to work making sketches and drafting plans for their artistic entries.
The best novice entry in the first show was Chelsey Weaver for her mound, “California Gold Rush.” Scapes By Sarah provided the award. In the second show, the novice award went to Lindsay Coulter for “Sewing Machine.” Her gift came from Blossoms and Gifts of Galion.
Relatively new at this game of designing, Suzanne Rothhaar slammed through both shows accumulated total points or Sweepstakes. Awards went to her from Abundantly Blessed Farm and Pickwick Place. Randy Lady, rosarian and rose grower, returned this year after a lengthy absence. He earned recognition from the Ohio Flower Girls at Pickwick for Best Rose. People loved his hybrid tea roses and miniatures.
Carissa Chester was busy. Her Best of Show herb landed a gift from The Amish Vault. Horticulture points in the second show netted an award from Oberlanders Tree and Landscape. Carissa’s daylily was the tops, and The Flower Barn and Crafts of Crestline provided a gift.
June Gebhardt’s caladium was selected Best of Potted Plants for honors from Family Farm and Home.
Our show chair, Sarah Laipply, swept many categories.
Her annual zinnia and a perennial echinops won Garden Cultivar awards from TSC in Bucyrus and the Flower Cart in Galion. Her Best of Show artistic in the first round was a reflective “Star-Spangled Banner.” The Judges Choice design, an assemblage in the second show, won her a certificate from Perfection Greenhouse in New Washington. Many horticulture entries won her highest points in the first show for the Green Thumb recognition from Carmar Gardens in Nevada.
As for me, Mary Lee Minor, the People’s Choice awards went to my mass “Declaration of Independence” and, in the second show, people voted for the antique telephone within an inverted “T” design. Steve’s Hardwoods and Laipply Lawns donated gifts.
In collections, my five hostas received a nod for the best, bringing me a certificate from Witter Produce. A table picture using china and a floral design honoring women’s rights won Judge’s Choice and an award from Laipply Lawns. An op art arrangement in the second show titled “Television” brought me a certificate from Katering Kountry Style.
Juniors entered horticulture and Everly Baer won gifts from Crossroads Original Designs and Cooper’s Mill. Haisley Christman was honored by Phil’s Deli of Galion. My educational exhibit on victory gardens depicted the dig, plant, harvest and preserve efforts of our nation in World War II. We gave away vegetable seed packets to visitors to the show.
Sarah Laipply also pushed our team through planning and typed the entire schedule. Susan Clime tracked all 21 awards from businesses and individuals, wrapped them attractively and included stamped thank you cards.
Our garden club members decorated the building with Americana banners, bunting, posters and photographs of our country’s noteworthy inventions and events.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former 6th-grade teacher.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: How local gardeners made history alive at the Crawford County Fair
Reporting by Mary Lee Minor, Special to Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum / Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
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By Mary Lee Minor, Special to Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum | USA TODAY Network
