PEMBERVILLE — Despite dry spells and stormy weather, entries in the Pemberville Fair flower show remained
strong this year.
Chairwoman Trina Karns said both the number of entrees and specimens in the show increased from last
year.
There were 379 entries this year, which included 82 artistic designs and 297 specimens. The show’s theme
was “Magical Designs.”
“The ladies had really nice flowers even with the weather we had,” said Eleanor Long, one of three judges
for the competition.
Because of the weather, roses came in a little short, Long said. And some of the delicate flowers were
difficult to grow too, Karns said.
“Most of us had to go out and purchase some flowers to make our designs,” said Teri Hansen, of
Pemberville, who had 18 entries in the competition. She was given the H. John Moore Award of Distinction
for Creative Design.
However, Brenda Rathburn, of Bowling Green, was able to pick through her garden and find enough profusion
change zinnias to complete her table setting ensemble.
She took home first place in the category.
With a “sit a spell” concept in mind, Rathburn paired the zinnias with evergreens, also from her yard.
These homegrown items were complemented with black and orange tablecloths and place settings. The colors
she choose represented a witch casting a spell, she said.

The table setting competition, along with wall niches and door wreaths were invitational categories.
Kristen Meyer, of Woodville, took home the top prize in the wall niche category, which had a “Magical
Kingdom” theme.
“When I think of Magical Kingdom, I think of Mickey Mouse,” Meyer said.
She incorporated that into her design by using a Mickey mug and a pair of white Mickey ears. Her vertical
design featured three types of carnations: red, white and peppermint. She also used hypericum and lemon
leaf.
In the door hanging category, which had an “open sesame” theme, Marcy (Continued from 10)
Abke, of Pemberville, claimed first place.
She used silk flowers, glittery stars and spirals, a magic wand and white gloves.
“I think that kind of gave the illusion of magic,” Abke said.
“I was kind of going for ‘poof,’ my flowers are coming out of the hat,” she said.
Nancy Fahle of Woodville was the recipient of the Judges’ Award of Distinction for Best Horticultural
Exhibit for her annual spray.
This year’s contest also had a patio pots competition, making its fair debut.
There were six entries in the category, a number Karns was pleased with.
“We really had no idea what kind of participation we would have,” she said.
Also new at this year’s show was the opportunity for entrants to have a question and answer session with
the judges after winners were named.
“It’s more of a teaching took,” Long said.
“The designs were exceptional. Very well done. Someone has really put in a lot of time and effort to help
instruct these girls,” she said.