floriculture

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August 21, 2026

 

 

26-17 / OPEN FLORICULTURE

Contact:

Abe Huizenga, Publicity

815-772/7329

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR THE ELEVENTH YEAR IN A ROW, SARA MEDENDORP OF MORRISON EARNED PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS AT THE 155TH ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR’S OPEN FLORICULTURE SHOW

 

 

MORRISON, ILL.- For the eleventh year in a row, Sara Medendorp of Morrison earned Premier Exhibitor Honors at the 155th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Open Floriculture Show.

 

AWARDS

 

Premier Exhibitor Award (By Behrz-Bloomz of Sterling)

 Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Runner-up Award (By James Voss Family in memory of Evelyn Voss)

 Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Third Place (Gift Certificate)

  Cindy A Young, Erie

 

DIVISION I TUESDAY SHOW

Best of Show Rosette Awards in Division I

 

Best Plant

 Raymond M Gomez, Morrison for Collection of Cactuses

 

Best Arrangement

 Lisa James, Morrison for New Exhibitor

 

Best Table Setting

 Sara Medendorp, Morrison for Thanksgiving

 

Best Door

 Karen Stuart, Prophetstown for Christmas

 

Judges Choice 

 Sara Medendorp, Morrison for Arrangement for Kitchen

 Raymond M Gomez, Morrison for Collection of Flowers

 

TABLE SETTINGS I

 

50th Birthday Party

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Party By The Pool

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Easter

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Jennifer L Witmer, Sterling; 3. Donna Young, Sterling

 

A Little Bit Country

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Thanksgiving

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Jennifer L Witmer, Sterling; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Christmas

 1. Jennifer L Witmer, Sterling; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Retirement Luncheon

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

COLLECTION OF POTTED PLANTS I

 

Collection Of Cactus And/Or Succulents (4 varieties)

 1. Raymond M Gomez, Morrison; 2. Norma Nelson, Morrison

 

Collection Of House Plants (4 varieties)

 1. Jenny Butkus, Morrison; 2. Raymond M Gomez, Morrison; 3. Emily Henson, Morrison

 

Hanging Planter- Foliage (single entry)

 1. Shelley Tiesman, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Hanging Planter-Blooming

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Miniature Theme Garden

 1. Nancy Stevens, Morrison; 2. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

COLLECTION OF CUT FLOWERS I

 

Three Mini Hosta Leaves

 1. Cathie Downs, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Collection Of Coleus Leaves (6 varieties)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Collection Of Galdiolas (6 varieties)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Collection Of Marigolds (varieties one bloom each in separate container)

 1. Susan L Devers, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Ally Tomman, Sterling

 

Zinnias (Large, 6 varieties, one bloom each in separate container)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Kelsey Rumfelt, Morrison

 

Zinnias (Tom Thumb Lilliput or other small, six specimen blooms, each in separate container, 6 varieties)

 1. Susan L Devers, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Donna Young, Sterling

 

Three Gladiola In Vase (3 same variety)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Three Hosta Leaves, same variety, large leaves

 1. Susan L Devers, Morrison; 2. Raymond M Gomez, Morrison; 3. Cathie Downs, Morrison

 

Three Hosta Leaves, same variety, small leaves

 1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Cathie Downs, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Collection Of Sunflowers (6 varieties)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

ARRANGEMENT OF CUT FLOWERS I

 

Asters

 1. Donna Young, Sterling

 

Geraniums

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Gladiola

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Lilies

 1. Donna Young, Sterling

 

African Marigolds

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

French Marigolds

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Ally Tomman, Sterling

 

Zinnias

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Pansies

 1. Donna Young, Sterling

 

Petunias

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Snapdragons

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Daisies

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Any Other Cut Flower Than  Those Listed

 1. Angela B Gorman, Morrison; 2. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 3. Raymond M Gomez, Morrison

 

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS I

 

Arrangement By Person Who Has Never Entered a Flower Show Before

 1. Lisa James, Morrison; 2. Ashley Vandermyde, Morrison; 3. Angela B Gorman, Morrison

 

Arrangement by the Man Who Loves Flowers

 1. Raymond M Gomez, Morrison; 2. Mike Selburg, Lyndon; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Mixed Flowers

 1. Jenny Butkus, Morrison; 2. Alexandra Venhuizen, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Arrangement Of One Kind

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Ashley Vandermyde, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arangement For Small Table

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Ashley Vandermyde, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

All Yellow Arrangement In Metal Container (greenery permitted)

 1. Angela B Gorman, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

All Purple Arrangement In Metal Container (greenery permitted)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

All Pink Arrangement In Metal Container (greenery permitted)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Arrangement Using Birdhouse as container or accessory

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement For The Kitchen (using vegetable, fruit, flowers, any or all)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Wild Flowers (in a simple container)

 1. Angela B Gorman, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Mike Selburg, Lyndon

 

Arrange Using Hat For Container

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

NOVELTY ARRANGEMENTS I

 

Door Decor Graduation

 1. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Door Decoration- Summer

 1. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 2. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 3. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

Door Decoration- Fall

 1. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 2. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 3. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

Door Decoration – Christmas

 1. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 2. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 3. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

Door Decoration- Easter

 1. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 2. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown; 3. Ann M Schipper, Erie

 

Chair- Any Theme

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Karen Stuart, Prophetstown

 

SPECIAL OCCASION ARRANGEMENTS I

 

Tea Time Arrangement (using cup and saucer)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Ashley Vandermyde, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Arrangement

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Patriotic Arrangement For 4th Of July (red, white and blue)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Hosta Leaves-Flower of one color may be added for accent

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 3. Ashley Vandermyde, Morrison

 

Over The Hill Party

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement- Easter/Spring

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Donna Young, Sterling; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement- Fall

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Christmas Center Piece

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

DIVISION II THURSDAY SHOW

Best of Show Rosette Awards in Division II

 

Best Arrangement

 Sara Medendorp, Morrison for Birthday Party

 

Judges Choice Best 

 Sara Medendorp, Morrison for Great-Grandmas Day

 

ARRANGEMENTS OF CUT FLOWERS II

 

Mums

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Gladsi In Tall Vase

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Sunflowers

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Cindy A Young, Erie; 3. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Daises – centerpiece

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

BEST SPECIMEN II

 

Best Speciman Rose (any kind, one bloom)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Connie Landheer, Morrison; 3. Donna Young, Sterling

 

Best Specimen Of A New Flower

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Best Specimen Large Gladiola (any variety, one stalk)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Best Specimen Miniature Gladiola (any variety, one stalk)

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Best Specimen-Hydrangea

 1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS II

 

Arrangement Using One Kind Of Flower

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

Miniature Arrangement Of Cut Flowers

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Flowers For A Dining Room Table

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Shades Of Green In a Green Container (over 12 inches tall)

 1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Connie Landheer, Morrison

 

Arrangement In A Small Wicker Bask

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

“Celestial” Arrangement in White Flowers

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Flowers Using Child’s Toy as the container or accessory

 1. Angela B Gorman, Morrison; 2. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 3. Cindy A Young, Erie

 

Arrangement Porch or Patio

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Queen Anne’s Lace

 1. Angela B Gorman, Morrison; 2. Lisa James, Morrison; 3. Sara Medendorp, Morrison

 

Arrangement Coleus – flower of one color may be used for accent

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Sharon K Moore, Morrison

 

Arrangement – Western Theme

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement “In Great-Great Grandmas’ Day” a Victorian Arrangement

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement- Any Type (greens included)

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Angela B Gorman, Morrison

 

Centerpiece For A  Birthday Party

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Hydrangeas

 1. Sharon K Moore, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement Of Mixed Flowers

 1. Cindy A Young, Erie; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement – Music Theme

 1. Donna Young, Sterling; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement – Sports Theme

 1. Sara Medendorp, Morrison; 2. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

Arrangement – Patriotic

 1. Austin Zink, Rock Falls

 

August 21, 2026

 

 

26-18 / JUNIOR FLORICULTURE

Contact:

Abe Huizenga, Publicity

815-772/7329

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOLLY BRACKEMEYER OF MORRISON EARNED PREMIER EXHIBITOR HONORS AT THE 155TH ANNUAL WHITESIDE COUNTY FAIR’S JUNIOR FLORICULTURE SHOW

 

 

MORRISON, ILL.- Molly Brackemeyer of Morrison earned Premier Exhibitor Honors at the 155th Annual Whiteside County Fair’s Junior Floriculture Show.

 

AWARDS

 

Premier Exhibitor Trophy (By Blooms-A-Latte, Prophetstown)

 Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Runner-Up Premier Exhibitor Trophy (By Blooms-A-Latte, Prophetstown)

 Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Third Place Exhibitor

 Gabriella E Abell, Tampico

 

Most Blue Ribbons (By K & R Greenhouse, Morrison)

 Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

BEST OF SHOW ROSETTE AWARD

 Alyssa M Temple, Fulton for Arrangement in a Small Wicker Basket

 

BOUQUETS AND ARRANGEMENTS

 

Small Marigolds (French)

 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 3. Win Tomman, Sterling

 

Zinnias (any variety)

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 3. Sawyer W Stern, Erie

 

Petunias

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Snap Dragons

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Cosmos

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Daisies

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Any Flower Not Named Above

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 3. George Selburg, Lyndon

 

Arrangement Mixed Bouquet

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 3. Henry Selburg, Lyndon

 

Arrangement In Small Wicker Basket

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Arrangement Of Dried Or Silk Materials, other than wall hanging

 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico

 

Arrangement For A Small Table

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Arrangement In Old Fashioned Container

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Arrangement For Kitchen – fresh or silk

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 3. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Patriotic Arrangement (Red, White & Blue)

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Arrangement Of Hosta Leaves, (flower of 1 color may be added for accent)

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Arrangement In Animal Planter Or With Animal As Accessory

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 2. Sawyer W Stern, Erie

 

Arrangement In Western Theme

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Arrangement Sports Theme

 1. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

Arrangement For A Princess Party – include sparkles

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Arrangement By Boy Who Loves Flowers

 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Henry Selburg, Lyndon; 3. George Selburg, Lyndon

 

Arrangement Using Bird House As Accessory

 1. Sawyer W Stern, Erie; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison; 3. Wren Dirks, Sterling

 

Arrangement A 13th Birthday Party

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Molly Brackemyer, Morrison

 

POTTED PLANTS

 

House Plant (foliage only)

 1. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton; 2. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico

 

Blooming House Plant

 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. Corabelle Schultz, Morrison

 

Cactus Or Succulent

 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico; 2. Alyssa M Temple, Fulton

 

Dish Garden

 1. Gabriella E Abell, Tampico