THOMPSON FALLS- The Sanders County Historical Society held their annual flower show on Saturday, showcasing talented green thumbs from around Thompson Falls. Vendors displayed their colorful wares for the public including Senator Jennifer Fielder who paid a visit to the show.

Nestled among tomatoes, green peppers, squash and cucumbers, Laurie Pudelko was attending her first flower show. Fresh herbs including cilantro and basil mingled amongst petunias and marigolds creating a multihued display for the handful of visitors. Pudelko has her own nursery outside of Plains.

“There’s nothing like fresh herbs and veggies. I’ve been doing this for about five or six years. We grow all our own vegetables. I tried to do some different things this year,” said Pudelko.

In addition to edible plants, Pudelko also exhibited her personal line of skin care products. She started making her own soaps, lotions and other products about six years ago. She also makes her own jams and jellies, growing most of the fruits and berries herself.

“I started out making soaps and slowly started expanding. These soaps are a really nice, hard bar,” said Pudelko. “We use coconut and other essential oils. They last a long time and won’t dry your skin out.”

Sherry Benton has three greenhouses and has been growing plants for 17 years. Benton grows primarily annuals including vegetables, herbs, bedding plants and hanging baskets.

“I just really like growing plants. This event recreates a flower show that used to be held by the Thompson Falls Woman’s Club. It began it the late 1930s and they quit doing it in the 60s. We are offering up a little bit of history by recreating the event,” said Benton.

Benton said the resurrection of the Thompson Falls Flower Show began 12 years ago. The event was held in front of the old Thompson Falls jail which is also maintained by the Sanders County Historical Society.

The event featured a raffle of items including garden tools, instructional books, a hedge trimmer, gloves and flowers. The competition side of the event featured the best-in-show entries in three categories.

Roses, irises and perennials were judged by Karen Dykstra who said it was a tough competition. Dykstra trained for two years as an apprentice to judge flower shows.

“The flowers that came in were very high quality. We had some gorgeous exhibits this year. I love judging this flower show,” said Dykstra.

Dykstra said flower judging is a technical process based on a points system. The awards for best-in-show in the iris and rose category went to Benton. The award for best-in-show in the perennial category went to Robin Hagadorn for her lily.