By Treena Mielke
The Rimbey and District Horticultural and Craft Show was a delightful potpourri of creative talent and beauty.
The show, held Aug. 19 and 20 at the Rimbey Drop-In Center, organized by the Rimbey and District Horticultural Group, featured 582 entries. Both adults and children participated.
Gail Hood, who co-chaired the show with Mary Burrows, was pleased with the event that displayed items from categories including horticultural, arts and crafts, photography, culinary arts and preserves.
“Every year it just gets better,” she said.
Hood noted the group received many compliments about this year’s show; one of the new judges, who came from Camrose, was amazed at the size and diversity of the show given the small population of Rimbey.
Hood admitted lots of work and planning goes into the event beginning as early as February.
“We would like to thank the many volunteers who helped make our show the success it was and we look forward to another great show for 2012,” she said.
With 91 entries, Joy Bruca from Rimbey received the Alberta Horticultural Rosette for the most points.
“Joy was one busy lady finding time to enter all those items which garnered her lots of first, second and third-place ribbons,” said Hood.
Other award winners included Martha Lovelie for cut flowers, Jody Bignell for vegetables, Donna Heilmann for flower arrangement, Rueben Giebelhaus for handicrafts, Danielle Olson for photography, Alice Picketts for culinary and Betty Hillis for fruit.
Joy Bruca won the adult award for most entries and herbs. Gladys Wilson won the senior award for most entries, Danielle Olson won the junior award and Katie Huddleston won the novice award.
Donna Heilmann was the winner for the category of collection of annuals, perennials and vegetables.
Door prizes were won by Arnold Hood, Agnes MacDonald, Ethel Keith, Grace denEngelsen, Martin Betlamini, Kathy Sarson and Wendy Lyn Beetelsen.
This year’s show was concluded with the presentation of prizes and a tea compliments of the Rimbey Horticultural Club.