Date: Fri 07-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Illustration: C

Location: A-10

Quick Words:

Town-Country-Garden-Show

Full Text:

(Town & Country Spring Flower Show, 6/7/96)

Rave Reviews From Judges Stems Flower Show's Success

(with photos)

By Shannon Hicks

Ena Higgins was delighted, Corina Prokai was tickled pink, Carole Hoffman

nearly fell on the floor and the judges gave everyone rave reviews.

The reason for all this excitement was the Town and Country Garden Club of

Newtown's spring flower show, "New England Odyssey: A Standard Flower Show,"

June 1-2 in the undercroft of Trinity Church. Twelve judges from the State

Federation of Flower Shows were at the church Saturday morning to judge the

nearly 150 total entries in design or horticulture classes.

According to show chairman Ena Higgins, the judges gave the entries rave

reviews.

"They were very complimentary," Mrs Higgins said. "They thought the

educational arrangements were outstanding." In addition to the blue

ribbon/first award in Class I of the design division, Mrs Higgins said she was

"delighted" to have been honored with the Connecticut Judges Design Award.

The judges evaluated 20 arrangements in the design division and 128 in the

horticulture division, along with two educational/special exhibits presented

by club members. Barbara Finnell presented a butterfly garden entitled

"Frequent Fliers," which was honored with the Connecticut Judges Special

Award, while Felicia Valus' Hosta garden, "Shady Ladies and Companions,"

received the Brown & White Educational Award.

The annual spring show was open to the public June 1 and 2 in the church's

undercroft. Club president Dorothy Dansdil, who received the esteemed Tricolor

Award, said a steady trickle kept the ladies hosting the show busy through

Saturday afternoon.

Also open for a few hours on Sunday, the flower show received quite a few

visitors following Trinity's Sunday services.

Corina Prokai was at the show early Saturday morning, soon after the judges

re-opened the doors to club members. Entries needed to be in place by 9:30 am,

and then only "required" show personnel were allowed in the show room during

judging. Mrs Prokai had entered a number of horticulture classes, and was, she

told friends, "tickled pink" to learn her beautiful clematis had earned a

blue.

Carole Hoffman - Town and Country's second vice president, and chairman of

publicity for the flower show - was unable to make it to the show's opening

Saturday, so it was up to Ena Higgins to call her with good news.

"Barbara O'Connor, our in-house horticulture maven, had noticed [my Croton

Norma], it's a house plant I've had since it was a baby," Mrs Hoffman said

Tuesday afternoon. "She suggested I bring it in to the show.

"I guess it's a plant that's really hard to grow," said the first-time flower

show entrant. "Its home is in the tropics... I had no idea it was so special.

"So when I got the call that I had won the Award of Horticultural Excellence,"

she said, still giddy, "I almost fell over on the floor!"

New England Odyssey:

A Standard Flower Show

Design Division Awards

Class I, "Spirit of `96" (a freestanding design, pedestal may incorporate into

design; fresh plant material must predominate): 1, Ena Higgins; 2, Barbara

Finnell; 3, Felicia Valus; Honorable Mention, Dorothy Anderson.

Ena Higgins also won the Connecticut Judges Design Award. The award is given

to "an outstanding exhibit," according to the Standard System of Awards

designated by the National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc.

Class II, "Moonlight in Vermont" (a freeform design in which plant material -

all fresh - provides dominant interest): 1, Barbara O'Connor; 2, Norene Casey;

3, Rita Mixer; HM, Dorothy Anderson.

Class III, "Clam Digger" (a design in a clam basket using all fresh plant

material; the arrangement will be viewed from three sides; basket must be

subordinate to design, and no accessories are permitted): 1, Marianne Muskus;

2, Carole Hoffman; 3, Molly Doersch; HM, Barbara McCann.

Class IV, "Dinner at the Mount Washington Hotel" (a functional dinner for two

with your special person: design to be displayed on a 42-inch round table

covered to the floor with a white slipcover; exhibitor may furnish any other

table covering; plastic, paper items, flat silver & food not allowed; all

fresh plant material must be used): 1, Dorothy Dansdill; 2, Lee Lockwood; 3,

Arlene Shanley; HM, Nan Zeller.

Dorothy Dansdill was also awarded the Tricolor Award.

Class V, "The Yankee Peddler" (a design to be displayed in a boot, fresh plant

material must predominate): 1, Cordalie Eliscu; 2, Corina Prokai; 3, Karen

Tuoicchi; HM, Pam Foster.

Horticulture Awards

Award of Merit: Carole Hoffman, Corina Prokai, Dorothy Dansdill. Given to

named blue ribbon winners scoring 95 or more points by judges.

Award of Horticultural Excellence: Carole Hoffman. Given to the finest named

horticulture exhibit scoring 95 points or more in the division.

Sweepstake Award: Dorothy Dansdill. Awarded to the Town and Country Garden

Club member having the greatest number of blue ribbons.

Educational Exhibits

Brown & White Educational Award: Felicia Valus for her butterfly garden,

"Frequent Flyers." A National Council award awarded to one of two exhibits at

a show, at the discretion of the judges.

Connecticut Judges' Special Award: Barbara Finnell for the Hosta garden "Shady

Ladies and Companions." This award may be awarded for an exhibit that awakens

interest in a subject and stimulates the viewer to learn more. This is

Connecticut's top award for special exhibits. One only may be given per show.