By Melissa deCordova
Sun Staff Writer
mdecordova@evesun.com
NORWICH – In spite of this summer’s extraordinary heat, nearly 300 flowers and arboreals made their way from back and front yard gardens to the Chenango County Fair this summer.
The Chenango County Garden Clubs Flower Show was, as a result, “a beautiful success,” said entries organizer Marilyn Kochersperger.
“We proved a very hot dry summer could not keep us down. The number of entries and quality of flowers made this year’s show one of the best ever,” she said.
Ninety-nine blue ribbons were awarded overall. The fair’s Horticulture Sweepstakes award went to Betsy Campbell. Mary Musson won the Excellence award. Merit awards went to: Carol Jones for her stargazer lily, Rohimah Sarpin for her hosta, Bruce Whitney for his day lily, and Garett Bilow for his double petunia.
Winners of the design awards all captured the theme and flower show’s title, “Romance.” The award for table artistry went to Joy Colletta for her ‘Just the Two of Us’ romantic table, which also took the Design Sweepstakes award. Colletta also won the Education blue ribbon for her display of ‘How To Make a Kissing Ball’ from fresh flowers.
The ‘Candlelight and Roses’ mantel display blue ribbon went to Karen Kamsoke, and Musson received first prize for her ‘With This Ring’ pedestal entry. Marilyn Carley won with her ‘Walk in the Park’ picnic on a blanket design. A special dried artistic craft section of shadow boxes highlighted the competition this year. Carol Jones won this category and also received the Dot Aldrich award for best use of dried material.
The Norwich Garden Club took first place in the large display ‘Sentimental Journey’ category and the People’s Choice award.