For 2014 there were 10 entries in the Bentley Best Dressed Yards competition.
Dorothy Sherwood, again the horticulture convener for this year’s show, was very pleased and attributed the higher number of entries to more advertising and promotion.
The overall yard category was slightly changed to reflect the fact that less people now have a vegetable garden as part of their yard Sherwood explained.
Placing first for best-dressed yard (with a vegetable garden) was Arlene Tanasiuk. Her yard garnered 75 points out of 100. She had more than the 10 different vegetables required according to the judging guidelines. Second went to Jean Landry.
Wining best dressed yard (without a vegetable garden) went to Suerea Haymour and Chuck Arneson. Water features and rockwork highlight the yard. Haymour noted they had lost 25 points for not having any vegetable garden so had earned 67 out of a possible 75 points, winning by only one point over second place finisher Laurene Sargeant.
Shawn and Melissa Zarantonello won best dressed back yard, with Bobbi Palanuik's yard second.
In the horticulture bench show there were 77 entries in the flower, fruit and vegetable categories with entries from not only Bentley, but also from Lacombe, Red Deer, Blackfalds, Alix, and Eckville and an increase from junior ages 6-12 years old.
Sherwood said, "The biggest disappointment was the lack of floral arrangements for table centre pieces and basket arrangements (because there are special prizes for those). There was also not a single rose entered. Can you believe it?"
Best rhubarb was won by Ken Jensen from Red Deer and best flower of show was the dahlia of Eileen Grant from Red Deer.
Floral table centrepiece was won by Penny Sieling from Eckville.
Highest points earned by a junior went to William Howes from Bentley, for an adult to Ken Jensen, and for a senior to Bernice Kobluck from Lacombe.
The grand aggregate winner was Bernice Kobluck.
Judge was again Martha Krause from Bluffton, with judge escort Marg Beddoes, yard photographer Darrell Carrigan, and helpers Joan Carrigan and Faye Poffenroth all from Bentley.
"There will possibly be changes made to some of the sponsored special prizes next year," said fourth-year convener Sherwood. "We will have a look at that (so more prizes can be awarded)."