by Rhonda Massad
On what felt like the rainiest day of the year the winning pumpkin at the Baie D’Urfé annual pumpkin contest weighed in at 110 pounds. Second place came close at 100 pounds to second-time winner Sophie Hamdan.
“This is my second year winning second prize,” the teen explained. “Last year we used one to decorate for Halloween and one for various recipes. We will do the same this year.”
Volunteers were on hand at Fritz Farm to help lift and weight the pumpkins. There were 15 contenders on planting day back on May 28. Some contestants seeds yielded as many as three pumpkins lobbying for first place.
As hoped by the initiative implemented by Baie d’Urfé City Councillor Brian Manning, Sophie made regular trips to the community garden with her father.
“My hope is that the youth in our community get off their behinds and come outside,” he explained. “The community garden shows them where their food comes from. They plant it, watch it grow and then see the fruits of their labor. We then donate the harvest to local food banks, that’s where the social awareness comes in.”
Manning extended an invitation to anyone who is interested in volunteering.
“We have students participating in the garden effort from various high schools that use the time worked towards their school community volunteer hours,” Manning explained. “We hope to see more people come out next year.”
To get involved, please visit www.gardenatfritz.com
