Top tomatoes weigh in at over 2 pounds in Dundee Township contest

It was back to basics - good soil and lots of water - for this year's winning tomato in the largest tomato contest held Aug. 21 at the Dundee Township Visitor's Center. East Dundee resident Norm Thomas, 82, took first prize with his 2-pound, 81/8-ounce tomato that he said was grown from seeds.

"I buy my seeds from Burpee and start them in March," Thomas said. "I don't put anything on them but local water - no fertilizer, nothing. I think the secret is good soil."

There were 24 entries of all shapes, sizes, colors and ripeness ranging from picture-perfect, round and red to mushy specimens that looked like a science experiment gone bad. But, as event organizer and visitor's center board member Bill Zelsdorf of Carpentersville said, "We don't care how ugly they are - and this has been a record year for ugly."

Unlike last year's tomatoes, which barely topped 11/2 pounds, this summer's rain and warm temperatures yielded larger entries - all the winners exceeded the 2-pound threshold, and the winner squeaked into first by a mere eighths of an ounce.

An experienced gardener, Thomas won second place in last year's contest. He took home $400 in gift certificates and prizes from area businesses, including Old Country Buffet, One Cut Above the Rest, Old Country Buffet, Red Lobster, Liberty Lanes, Diamond Jim's, Dundee Landscaping and Phil Aleo.

Last year's winner, Adam Tobler, 26, of Elgin, came in second with a 2-pound 8-ounce tomato. He won $300 worth of prizes, including gift cards from Barb's Studio 54, Jewel-Osco and Olive Garden Restaurant.

Steve Tobler of Elgin took third place with a 2-pound 41/8-oz tomato, and Gail Russell of East Dundee took fourth place with her 2-pound 35/8-oz fruit. They won $200 and $100 in prizes, respectively, from many of the same prize donors, plus gift certificates from Dairy Queen, Manor Restaurant and Denny's Restaurant.

"It was another great turnout," Zelsdorf said. "And I'm grateful once again to all the businesses that donated all the prizes - we had over $1,000 in prizes this year." All who entered received guest passes to Old Country Buffet and a free soda.

Zelsdorf said he runs both the tomato- and pumpkin-growing contest each year mainly because it's fun, but also to bring people down to the weekly farmers market and the Visitor's Center at 319 N. River St.

"The vendors really enjoy it, and it brings attention to our market and (Visitor's) Center."

The Old Dundee Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through October and features vendors selling locally grown produce, honey, baked goods, plants and flowers, collectibles, antiques and jewelry.

The Visitor's Center will host its Great Pumpkin contest Oct. 30, with prizes for heaviest pumpkin and best decorated or carved pumpkin. More information is available at dundeedepot.com, or for periodic updates, readers are invited to follow the Visitor's Center on Facebook or Twitter at "Dundee Depot and Farmers Market."