Donors, growers make tomatoes pay

The 10th annual Tomato Contest this year was a big success.

It was held Aug. 18, during the weekly farmers market on Saturday in East Dundee and was sponsored by the Dundee Township Visitors Center.

There were 34 entries of all shapes, sizes, colors and ripeness. Glenda Christie of Carpentersville took first place and won $400 in gift certificates, including a $50 savings bond from Cardunal Savings Bank.

Second place went to Norm Thomas of East Dundee. He won $275 worth of gift certificates, including $50 to Dundee Landscape and Nursery.

Mike Bateman of East Dundee took third place and $150 in prizes, while Audrey Kellner won the $100 honorable mention prize.

Thanks to many area businesses, this contest rewards winners with possibly the greatest value in prizes for a tomato, maybe in the whole state. Growers received $15 in prizes just for entering the contest!

The visitors center is proud to be able to bring this special event to our community.

Many thanks to these other businesses for their support:

Phil Aleo, Classic Cinemas, Dairy Queen, Denny's Restaurant, Jewel/Osco, Liberty Lanes, Manor Restaurant, Old Country Buffet, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, One Cut Above The Rest, Piece-A-Cake Bakery, Red Lobster Restaurant and Spring Hill Mall. As a bonus, all vendors participating in the farmers market that day received passes to Old Country Buffet.

Thanks again to all our donors and those who participated.

Hope to see you for our annual pumpkin contest Oct. 27.

Bill Zelsdorf, member

Board of directors

Dundee Township

Visitor's Center

East Dundee