Garden City Blooms winners named

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/09/2020 (990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This past summer, I was excited to see our community’s enthusiastic response to the inaugural Garden City Blooms neighbourhood contest.

With more than 50 addresses nominated throughout the area, I am thrilled to officially announce this year’s winners:

• Mariano and Stephanie Moniz — Gorgeous Garden City award;
• Chris Turyk and Bryce Weedmark — Creative & Colourful award;
• Gayle and Bill Harrow — Perfect Pots & Planters award;
•  Jennifer and Wayne Okaluk — Bold & Beautiful Boulevard award; and
• Marian and Glenn Platschick — Smart Space Gardening award.

A very warm congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

The judging panel, comprised of Take Pride Winnipeg president Tom Ethans, local resident and advocate Jason Miklovich and me, had a difficult time narrowing down the winners from so many beautiful nominations.

On Sept. 15, in an outdoor ‘socially distant’ presentation adapted for COVID-19, the winning residents were each presented with a gardening award to recognize their hard work and green thumbs. The judging panel, joined by Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), each shared messages of the positive impact gardening has on our community and the immense neighbourhood pride found in Garden City.

“This contest really fostered the spirit of our community — even amidst a pandemic. It introduced new neighbours to one another and was a wonderful way to recognize the hard work that goes into the incredible gardens located in beautiful Garden City,” Sharma said.

This year’s winners were awarded gift certificates to the local Riverside Greenhouses, which sets up annually in the parking lot at the corner of McPhillips Street and Jefferson Avenue. The prizes will allow these hard-working gardeners to treat themselves to new plants and flowers next spring — which is only eight months away.

I am so happy that our community was able to come together and recognize neighbours, friends and family for the time and dedication to their wonderful yards and gardens.

Garden City is known for having such well-maintained homes, pride of ownership and a sense of community spirit that brings us together.

I would like to thank Coun. Sharma, Tom Ethans and Riverside Greenhouses for their continued support, as well as those who took the time to nominate their neighbours, friends or family members for this year’s inaugural contest. I am already looking forward to next year’s edition!

Congratulations to all the nominees, the winners and everyone who helped make this summer such a beautiful one here in Garden City.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Daniel Guenther is president of the Garden City Residents’ Association and a community correspondent for his neighbourhood. Email him at: gardencitywinnipeg@gmail.com