BLT time: tomato contest boasts record number of entries
It's been a good year for tomatoes in Dundee Township, at least judging by the turnout for this year's largest tomato contest, held Aug. 18 at the Dundee Township Visitor's Center in East Dundee.
There were 34 entries of all shapes, sizes, colors and ripenesses -- ranging from a tiny grape tomato to giant "love apples" that resembled misshapen playground balls.
Fortunately, beauty was not a factor in judging, said Bill Zelsdorf of Carpentersville, the event organizer and a visitor's center board member.
Glenda Christie of Carpentersville took first place with a Big Zack tomato that weighed in at 2 pounds, 2 3/8 ounces. She took home $400 in gift certificates from area businesses, including $95 in Old Country Buffet meal passes, Classic Cinemas movie passes, and a $50 savings bond from Cardunal Savings Bank.
"This was actually my first year gardening," Christie said. "My husband always did it, but he's been ill, so I took over."
Christie said she didn't do anything special with her winning entry other than water it and watch it grow.
"Something did take a bite out of it just before I picked it, so we were a little worried," she added.
Norm Thomas of East Dundee was a close second with his Super Steak tomato, which weighed 2 pounds, 1 1/4 ounces. He won $275 worth of gift certificates, including $50 to Dundee Landscape Nursery, 12 games of bowling at Liberty Lanes, and $78 in passes from Old Country Buffet.
Mike Bateman of East Dundee took third place and $150 in prizes for his 2-pound, 5/8-ounce entry.
Audrey Kellner of West Dundee won $100 in prizes with her 2-pound, 1/4-ounce tomato.
"I was pleasantly surprised at the number of entries," Zelsdorf said.
"This year we had the most entries and also the most prizes donated, too."
Other donations for the 10th annual contest came from One Cut Above the Rest salon, Piece-A-Cake Bakery, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Spring Hill Mall, Jewel Food Store, Denny's, Dairy Queen, and Manor Restaurant.
The Dundee Township Visitor's Center, 319 N. River St. in East Dundee, is run by an all-volunteer board of directors and is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Mondays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Visitor's Center hosts the Old Dundee Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from May through October.
The Visitor's Center will host its Great Pumpkin contest in October, with prizes for heaviest pumpkin and best decorated pumpkin. For details, call (847) 426-2255 or visit www.dundeedepot.com.