Flower show winners have an eye for the beautiful, unique
By Lisa C. Lipp
September 17, 2015
422
Floral arranging, June Hammond said, is in her blood.
I am from England and gardens are just part of our existence, said Hammond, who competed this year at the Wayne County Fair. I learned all I know from my mother and grandmother.
Hammond kept her blue ribbon streak going during the judging at Buss Hall on Saturday, Sept. 12 with a first place for her plumed red celosia, which resembles miniature reddish poplar trees.
Her granddaughter, Leila Hammond, is also following in the familys footsteps. She won first place, Best of Show – Artistic, in the category Frozen for the 10 and under age group. The innovative display consisted of frozen ice cubes stuck on the ends of bendable straws, with blue spruce branches, juniper sprays, white chrysanthemums and blue salvia placed in a small white coffee mug.
Bill Ogden, a first place winner for the Up Cycling category, used soft pink zinnias, white zinnias, lemon balm and spirea, all housed in an old lunchbox. I take pleasure in getting the materials and creating the displays, he said. I enjoy watching my mom create floral arrangements. Ogden was raised on a farm, works as a physical therapist, and said he delights in entering pieces in the fair.
Geri Rea, who is part of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, said I love gardening, its my passion. I just love digging in the dirt. Another fairgoer, Wilma Troyer, said, I love to grow the largest zucchini, not just the length, but everything about it has to be just right.
A longtime blue ribbon winner Jenna Beacon earned a first place with every display she entered. One unique piece was in the category Inner Peace. It encapsulated peace with a yellowish-pink dahlia, two orange-pink dahlias, an evergreen pine piece, and a rhododendron leaf, sitting on top of carefully placed stones resting in a brown ceramic platter.
Best of Show winners included:
Artistic – adult amateur – Jenna Beacon
Interpretation – adult amateur - Courtney Lowe
Artistic – adult open - Vicky Puster
Interpretation – adult open - Jaci Pitts
Artistic – juniors 10 and under - Leila Hammond
Interpretation – juniors 10 and under - Ellie Hanshaw
Artistic – juniors 11-16 - Hattie Carr
Interpretation – juniors 11-16 - Hattie Carr
Junior Horticulture - Jenna Hjerpe
Horticulture - Martha Morris
Foliage House Plant – Ken Blanchard
Flowering House Plant – Sandi Bright
First Place Garden Club Niche A Night at the Fair - Hill and Dale Garden Club
First Place Garden Club Niche Rodgers and Hammerstein - Moreland Garden Club
Best of Show Garden Club Garden The Memories Begin Here - Village Network
