Gigantic tomato takes top prize

Submitted by Dundee Township Visitor’s Center

It was back to basics — good soil and lots of rain — for this year’s winning tomato in the largest tomato contest held Aug. 17 at the Dundee Township Visitor’s Center.

Elgin resident Gene Woods took first prize with his 3-pound 2½-ounce tomato that he said was an heirloom “pee wee” variety grown alongside a hearty cucumber crop in his back yard.

There were 22 entries of all shapes, sizes, colors and ripeness ranging from picture-perfect, round and red to green, orange and even a tiny pea-sized grape tomato that should have won a “most hopeful” award.

Event organizer and Dundee Township Visitor’s Center Manager Bill Zelsdorf of Carpentersville said, “We don’t discriminate; we accept all tomatoes and are happy to have people support our contests as well as the farmers market.”

Unlike last year’s tomatoes, which barely topped 1½ pounds, this summer’s rain and warm temperatures yielded larger entries — though there was more than a pound’s difference between first and second place.

An experienced gardener, Woods has taken home prizes in the past and won first place three years ago. “I’m going to eat this one on a hamburger,” he said of his prize winner. “Maybe invite the neighborhood.”

Woods took home $400 in gift certificates and prizes from area businesses, including One Cut Above the Rest, Haeger Pottery, The Measuring Cup, Red Lobster, Diamond Jim’s, Piece A Cake Bakery, Liberty Lanes, First American Bank, and a Phil Aleo history book.

Santo Maglio of Gilberts came in second with a 1-pound 15¾-ounce tomato. He won $250 worth of prizes, including gift cards from Barb’s Studio 54, Jewel-Osco, and Olive Garden Restaurant.

Elaine Rathjen of Dundee took third place with a 1-pound 13⁷⁄₈-ounce tomato, and Cindy Kennedy of West Dundee took fourth place with her 1-pound 13-ounce fruit. They won $100 and $50 in prizes, respectively, from many of the same generous prize donors, plus gift certificates from 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 prizes — we had over $800 in prizes this year.” All who entered received a Dairy Queen treat coupon and a free pop.

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 people 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. each Saturday 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 on Saturday, Oct. 26, with prizes for heaviest pumpkin and best decorated or carved pumpkin.