Judges select the Best-in-Show in the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Veggies competition

Joe Cree holds his winning Best-in-Show entry at Thursday night's competitions for the best plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Photo by Mel Toadvine
There were hardly any vegetables displayed Thursday night, but a few plates of fruits and plenty of plants and flowers for the judges to examine at the Plants, Fruits and Vegetables competition held at the Lehigh Spring Festival.
“I think the frost may have hurt many of the gardens where people grow vegetables because we just don’t have much for competition. But we have a lot of beautiful plants and flowers that the people brought in,” said Liz Eilf, chairman of the event and all of the competitions this week in the Activities Tent, including the fine arts, desserts and chili contests earlier in the week.
Judges for this competition were Hank Hendry and his wife, Audrey Hendry and Robert Crosariol.
They took their time and examined each plant and pieces of fruit. Many of the plants were orchids and one had the smell of pineapple.
After the judges made their decisions with the blue ribbons, they chose a beautiful string of orchids grown on the Phalaenopsis Amabilis plant. Mostly everyone at the competition marveled at the selection of beautiful white blooms. The man who has been giving the plant tender loving care is Joe Cree.

Winners at the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables competition are from left to right, each holding their blue ribbons, Richard Esser, Fruits and Vegetables; Gloria Skeene, Plants; and Harold Cope for Flowers.
Hanging over to one side of the tables filled with plants were two very large Satghorn ferns that their owner has protected during the past winter by covering them with sheets.
“They like shade and some sun,” said Gloria Skeene, “but they don’t like frost. That is why I covered them when we had that bad frost,” she said.
She took a blue ribbon for her giant fern plant.
Other winners included Richard Esser for fruits and vegetables and Harold Cope for flowers. His winning flower was a Max. Tenuiglia.
Then it was off to the Junior and Senior Idol Contests where a crowd filled bleachers and cheered on their favorites. The finals are Friday night.

Gloria Skeene holds next to two giant Staghorn Ferns that won her blue ribbons.
Vicki Culver said this year’s entrants for both the Festival Idol Contests were all very good. She was entertaining as she announced eliminations all week. The votes were taken by the audience after judges made a few comments, mostly positive.
“I hate to have to tell you this,” Culver said to one contestant this past week, “but you’re safe.” Everyone laughed.
“I like to have fun,” she laughed as he returned to his seat.
- Winners at the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables competition are from left to right, each holding their blue ribbons, Richard Esser, Fruits and Vegetables; Gloria Skeene, Plants; and Harold Cope for Flowers.
- Gloria Skeene holds next to two giant Staghorn Ferns that won her blue ribbons.
Judges select the Best-in-Show in the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Veggies competition

Joe Cree won Best-in-Show with this beautiful orchid plant called a Phalaenopsis Amabilil. Photo by Mel Toadvine
There were hardly any vegetables displayed Thursday night, but a few plates of fruits and plenty of plants and flowers were on hand for the judges to examine at the Plants, Fruits and Vegetables competition held at the Lehigh Spring Festival.
“I think the frost may have hurt many of the gardens where people grow vegetables because we just don’t have much for competition. But we have a lot of beautiful plants and flowers that the people brought in,” said Liz Eilf, chairman of the event and all of the competitions this week in the Activities Tent, including the fine arts, desserts and chili contests earlier in the week.
Judges for this competition were Hank Hendry and his wife, Audrey Hendry and Robert Crosariol. They took their time, and examined each plant and pieces of fruit. Many of the plants were orchids and one had the sweet smell of pineapple.
After the judges made their decisions with the blue ribbons, they chose a beautiful string of orchids known as the Phalaenopsis Amabilis plant. Mostly everyone at the competition marveled at the selection of beautiful white blooms. The man who has been giving the plant tender loving care is Joe Cree.
Hanging over to one side of the tables filled with plants were two very large Staghorn Ferns that Gloria Skeene has protected during the past winter by covering them with sheets.

These are first place winners in the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Veggies competition Thursday night. They are from left to right, Richard Esser, fruits and vegetables; Gloria Skeene, plants; and Harold Cope, flowers. Photo by Mel Toadvine
“They like shade and some sun,” said Skeene, “but they don’t like frost. That is why I covered them when we had that bad frost,” she said.
She took a blue ribbon for her giant fern plant.
Other winners included Richard Esser for fruits and vegetables and Harold Cope for flowers. His winning flower was a “Max. Tenuigl.” Second and third place ribbons were also handed out.
Then it was off to the Junior and Senior Idol Contests where a crowd filled bleachers and cheered for their favorite performers. The finals are Friday night.
Vicki Culver said this year’s entrants for both the Festival Idol Contests were all very good. She was entertaining herself as she announced eliminations all week. The votes were taken by the audience after judges made a few comments, mostly positive.

Gloria Skeene stands next to her Staghorn Fern, which won her a blue ribbon. Photo by Mel Toadvine
“I’s sorry to have to tell you this,” Culver said to one contestant one night, “but you’re safe, go sit down.” Everyone laughed.
“I like to have fun,” she laughed as he returned to his seat.
- These are first place winners in the Plants, Flowers, Fruits and Veggies competition Thursday night. They are from left to right, Richard Esser, fruits and vegetables; Gloria Skeene, plants; and Harold Cope, flowers. Photo by Mel Toadvine
- Gloria Skeene stands next to her Staghorn Fern, which won her a blue ribbon. Photo by Mel Toadvine
- Judges Hank Hendry and his wife, Audrey, and Robert Crosariol examine the vegetables and fruits table. Photo by Mel Toadvine
- Audrey Hendry, a judge, is shown inspecting one of the plants in Thursday night’s contest. It went on to win Best-in_Show. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Judges Hank Hendry and his wife, Audrey, and Robert Crosariol examine the vegetables and fruits table. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Audrey Hendry, a judge, is shown inspecting one of the plants in Thursday night's contest. It went on to win Best-in_Show. Photo by Mel Toadvine