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It finally came to me that the “things to do” list is simply growing longer the longer this pandemic rages.

When you are at home almost all the time, you scrutinize your property. In sunshine I found myself scooting along, a kneeling pad beneath my bum, knife in hand, wrenching each and every no-count weed from the cracks in our driveway. That may be the epitome of wasted time. Later, as rain poured down, there was a smile on my face. This was not relief, but the thought that soon a new batch would sprout.

This happened because last week was not filled with thoughts of the Crawford County Fair flower show for me. The decision not to be an exhibitor brought more time and focus on gardening. However, the steadfast members of Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club were there. They cleaned the building, decided to have only the horticulture section, but did make six exhibits that demonstrated how to approach newer artistic designing.

Amy Vaughn made an Op Art design “Orange Jubilee” with a background because that is needed to help create visual restlessness and movement. She also made an angular design “Picture Perfect,” a three-dimensional grouping of frames and limited plant forms.

An abstract design by Judy Widman featured her own allium and folded aspidistra leaves to express “Big Wheels Keep On Rollin.'” June Gebhardt's construction “Castle Keep” had a black unit and orange glads. My contribution was a creative horizontal made with white liatris and cut-leaf philodendron flowing horizontally from a creative ceramic container. Pressed flower frames also were displayed.

There was a usual educational about bluebirds offering pictures of nestlings, plans for constructing a nest box and brochures from the Ohio Bluebird Society. Horticulture over the two days was documented as June made a video talking through the show classes. This is posted on the garden club's Facebook page.

Susan Clime secured businesses to support the horticulture winners, who were:

• First Show Sweepstakes (most exhibit points): Judy Widman — Carmar Gardens.

• Garden Cultivar, best annual: Julie Rexroad's sunflower — Scapes By Sarah.

• Harvester Award for best herb, bergamot: Cheryl Corney — Tractor Supply Company.

• Growing Skills Award, best potted plant: Judy Widman's African violet — Family Farm and Home.

• Junior Green Thumb to Abigail Chester for a petunia — Laipply Lawns.

Second show winners were:

• Sweepstakes: Melinda Hoffman — Oberlander's Tree and Landscape.

• Garden Grower best perennial, perovskia: Sarah Laipply — Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club.

• Showcase Award for best collection: June Gebhardt for hostas — Michael Hoepf, sponsor.

• Rose of Royalty Award: Sandra Long — Special Moments Bridal.

• Flora Award for best daylily, Viracocha: Sarah Laipply — Lilies of the Field.

• Junior Green Thumb for a petunia: Kohler Fuller — Julie Rexroad, sponsor. 

The first show horticulture entries totaled 149. The second show brought 108 entries and 101 more daylilies, many from Mindy Hoffman. Garden Club members who showed were Cheryl Corney, June Gebhardt, Sarah Laipply, Joy Lauthers, Janet Nance, Julie Rexroad, Sally Ruth, and Judy Widman. 

To summarize would be to simply state that, despite the COVID-19 restrictions, “the show must go on” prevailed, bringing a partial flower show to the county. Restrictions did not bring a total shut down.  

In the end, it is more about “the growing must go on.”

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