CiB Judges Tour Clinton
In spite of flight delays and being re-routed, the National CiB judges finally arrived in Clinton after 9 p.m. on July 28. Thankfully, nothing had been planned for them that evening so they were able to settle into their motel rooms and prepare for the next day.
Judges Roger Younker of Charlottetown, PEI and Bonita Lundberg of Saskatoon, Sask. were escorted around town the following day. Tour guides Christine Johnstone and Susan Swan had people at each of the stops to explain what they were seeing.
The judges visited Robertson Square and the community garden, sewer treatment plant and lagoons, the Pioneer Cemetery, the new water treatment plant, museum, Village Office and fitness room, Reg Conn Centennial Park and proposed dog park location, Kings Lake Cemetery, David Stoddart School and Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band Native Cemetery.
Following the official stops the judges were driven around to view some of the Funky Flowerpot entries and Scott’s Miracle Gro winning properties. During the tour a picnic lunch was held in the museum grounds with the judges, museum society members, CiB committee members, mayor, council and village staff.
An informal dinner comprised of local foods was held at the Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening and a working breakfast with the judges, CiB members and CAO Tom Dall was held on Thursday morning prior to the judges being returned to Kamloops.
The Village of Clinton was the last of four communities with population under 1000 that these judges evaluated. The results will be announced at the CiB National and International Symposium in Kamloops on Oct. 1. The judges seemed to be very impressed with the community and the friendly people they met along the way. Let’s hope that translates into a good evaluation.
Scotts Miracle Gro Winners
The Village of Clinton was invited once again to enter the Scotts Miracle Gro Best Garden Competition. Members of the Clinton Communities in Bloom Committee had the unenviable task of selecting 10 properties to receive the awards.
The categories included Best Residential Flower Garden, Best Residential Edible Garden, Best Business Flower and Edible Garden and Best Youth-Run Edible Garden – youth 14 and under. Winners receive a gift pack of two Scotts Miracle Gro products and a sign for their yard.
The winners in Clinton were Amanda Mercer - Lagoon Court “Flowers and Edible combined”; Marnie and Bernie Nieuwenhuis – Lagoon Court “Edible Garden; Melanie Nicholson – Lagoon Court “Perennial and Herb Gardens”; Catherine Marcoux and Bill Holt – Soues Street “Potted Flowers on fence”; and Bernice Beeds – Lebourdais Avenue “Flower Gardens”. Also among the winners were John and Fran White – Engeman Lane “Flowers, Edible Garden and Landscaped Yard”; Nancy McMinn/Cordova Farm – Pavilion Road “Edible Garden”; As the Crow Flies/Brenda Slade – Cariboo Hwy. “Best Business Improvement of building frontage and grounds with flowers and edibles”; and the Government Liquor Store/Tracy Fallstrom – Cariboo Hwy. “Best Business for unique flowers and edible garden frontage.”
The Cloverbuds – Clinton 4-H Young Horticulture Club won the “Best Youth-Run Edible Gardens”. Eight young gardeners showed off their flower gardens, hanging baskets, vegetable plots and gardens. They learn to cook with herbs from their gardens. Congratulations to Cale Townsend, Colton Wedler, Rachel Miller, Mattie Miller, Cade Allison, Tate Allison, Colton McCormick and Jesse Fletcher and their leader, Linda Allison.
Well done everyone. Your efforts make our community so much better.
Summer Fine Art Show & Sale
The Clinton Art and Cultural Society are hosting a Fine Art and Artisan Show and Sale from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Clinton Memorial Hall.
Friday evening is from 6-9 p.m. while Saturday hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is by donation and attendees will be asked to vote for their “pick of the show” and best “wildlife themed” selections.
Some of the artists/artisans will be giving demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a children’s table so dress the young people in old clothing and let them try out various artists materials.
There will be a silent auction going on throughout the show and winners will be notified to pick up their items at the end of the show. If you would like to donate to the silent auction please contact Rebekah Bowen at 250-459-2519.
The theme this year is “Wildlife”. Anyone wishing to display their work can contact Nancy McMinn at 250-459-2976 before Aug. 7 when entries close.
This is an open show and entry of original works in all mediums is encouraged. This includes works by photographers, artists, artisans, sculptors, authors, musicians, and video makers.
The Society’s mandate is to promote and support area cultural activities. They welcome your best effort if you are a beginner and have never displayed your work as well as the skilful pieces of mature and professional artists.
The Society members invite you to come and meet others who are interested in the wonderful world of art and artistry.
Susan Swan