August 15, 2008 (Chesley) –  More than 260 people were on hand as winners of the Sprucedale Agromart IPM Beautification Competition were announced Friday August 15th at the Chesley Community Centre. More than 100 entries were received in the spring before being judged in July by Real Estate Agents Krista Gill, Mark Davis and Glen Majury.

Jennifer Isber-Legge, the Beautification Committee Chairperson, says "This competition was designed to help Bruce County residents and businesses spruce up their properties before IPM visitors arrive in September." The Bruce County IPM Beautification Committee brought back the popular Beautification Contest after past IPM events were not able to gain enough support within their region. Bruce County IPM Volunteers on the committee offered eight different categories including a new section for an outstanding photograph. The group also introduced the "IPM Flower of the Match" The IPM Lilly and hosted a Tree Fundraiser in conjunction with the competition.

In the photo to the right:
Winners from the Sprucedale Agromart IPM Beautification Contest announced Friday night include:
Standing L to R: Eleanor MacEwen representing Brucelea Haven in Walkerton (Agribusiness or Commercial Property); Stacey Charlton of Sconeview B&B (Bed and Breakfast or Inn): Paul Klages (Gateway or Sign); Chris and Jen Legge holding son Austin (Farmstead); Jim and Helen Christie (Photograph); Robert Buckle (Rural or Urban Home); Norm Meuser (Century Farm).
Seated L to R: Becky Charlton (Bed and Breakfast or Inn): Ann Schneider (Garden); Doreen Klages (Gateway or Sign); Gloria Buckle (Rural or Urban Home); and Sandra Meuser (Century Farm).

The winners include:

Most Outstanding Agribusiness or Commercial Property
3rd place - Tiverton Park Manor Retirement Home, Tiverton
2nd place - Trillium Mutual Insurance, Formosa
1st place - Brucelea Haven, Walkerton

Most Outstanding Bed and Breakfast or Inn
3rd place - Franklin House, Port Elgin
2nd place - Whispering Brooks Bed and Breakfast, Mildmay
1st place - Sconeview Bed and Breakfast, Chesley

Most Outstanding Photo of Sowing or Harvest in Bruce County
3rd place - Glen and Marie Meuser, Southampton
2nd place - Bruce Square Baling, Teeswater
1st place - Jim and Helen Christie, Tara

Most Outstanding Gateway or Sign
3rd place - Murray and Ann Legge, Chesley
2nd place - Ron and Monica Valad, Chepstow
1st place - Paul and Doreen Klages, Mildmay

Most Outstanding Century Farm
3rd place - Bruce and Judy Buckland, Wiarton
2nd place - Curtis and Jane Calhoun, Dobbinton
1st place - Norm and Sandra Meuser, Southampton

Most Outstanding Farmstead
3rd place - Glemsford Meadows, Mildmay
2nd place - Ted and Karen Weishar, Teeswater
1st place - Chris and Jen Legge, Chesley

Most Outstanding Garden
3rd place - Jim and Kim Dent, Teeswater
2nd place - Ron Klages, Chesley
1st place - Ann and Jim Schneider, Mildmay

Most Outstanding Rural or Urban Home
3rd place - Rob and Gail Fullerton, Paisley
2nd place - Jim and Carol Armstrong, Walkerton
1st place - Robert and Gloria Buckle, Teeswater

Prizes presented featured a hand-crafted wooden bowl made of local wood with the IPM Logo embossed in the centre along with a Gift Certificate for IPM Items. The bowls were made by Ron Stewart from Bruce County Lumber. Each participant received two tickets to the Banquet Friday night, the special IPM Lilly, a framed picture of their entry taken by Hic's Pic's Photo Studio in Paisley at the time of the judging and a tree seedling thanks to the Bruce County Woodlot Association.

A display of all contest participants will be at the IPM September 16th to 20th in the Sprucedale Agromart exhibit within Tented City. The Match is being held northeast of Teeswater by Wayne and Wendy McKague and neighbouring Farms along Highway 4 and Bruce County Road 6.

A select number of Red IPM Lilies are still available by calling Jennifer Isber Legge - 519-363-2075.