Onions so beautiful, they'll bring you to tears
By Wendy Soloduik

HEAVIEST ONION WINNERS - (Above, l to r) Rob Radcliffe, 3rd place Howard Tizzard, 2nd place Joanne Borcsok, 1st place Peter Papais.

What weighs more than three pounds, has a silvery skin and can bring you to tears of joy? Why the winner of the Heaviest Onion Contest at Lakeview Gardens, of course.

Saturday, Lakeview Gardens held their 8th annual Onion Growing Contest, at their greenhouses on Killarney Beach Road. The contest, which had more than 50 registered participants, was open to anyone who had purchased a Kelsea onion bulb from Lakeview.

Onions were judged in three categories: Heaviest, based on weight alone, Exhibition, based on having the qualities of "a good, sound onion", and Youth, a category for children 16 years and under, with judging based on weight.
This years winners were:
Heaviest
Judged by Rob Radcliffe
1. Peter Papais - 3lbs.
10.6oz, winning $75
2. Joanne Borcsok - 2lbs.
8.6oz, winning $25
3. Howard Tizzard - 2lbs.
2.44oz, winning $10
Exhibition
Judged by Steve Radcliffe

EXHIBITION WINNERS - (Above, l to r) 3rd place Howard Tizzard, 2nd place Esther Huibers, 1st place Don Schirfinger (held by lady) and Steve Radcliffe.

1. Don Schirfinger, winning
$75
2. Esther Huibers, winning
$25
3. Howard Tizzard, winning
$10
Youth
Judged by Rob Radcliffe
1. John Hambly - 1lbs.
7.6oz, winning $25
2. Christopher Hambly 1lbs. 4.6oz, winning $10
3. Alexa Hambly - 1lbs.
4.6oz, winning $5

4. Zachary Kooiman -
13.8oz, honourable mention
5. Megan Domik - 13.6oz,
honourable mention
6. Ben Domik - 7.4oz, honourable
mention

"The winning onion this year weighed more than the winner at the Royal Winter Fair last year," said Rob Radcliffe, part owner of Lakeview Gardens. "In fact, eight out of 14 onions weighed more than two pounds."

The Kelsea onions sold at Lakeview Gardens are grown from seed, and then transplanted into packs of four. Anyone who buys an onion from Lakeview is automatically entered into the contest, and children are especially encouraged to participate.

"Our customers can buy as many onions as they want," added part owner, Steve Radcliffe. "Each year many people return for this contest, and we usually see a few new names as well."

What are the secrets to growing a big onion?

"We tell our customers to just grow an onion," said Rob Radcliffe. "The rest is up to them. But I do stress not to over water the bulb."

"People are loosing touch with growing," added Steve Radcliffe. "Years ago there was much more competition. This is not just a contest, it raises an environmental issue as well. It's time to get back to basics."

Lakeview Gardens is still open for the season, and fresh cucumbers are now on their shelves. Drop by, talk some onion talk, and pick-up your information sheet about next years contest.

Visit Lakeview at 1712 Killarney Beach Road, or call them at 705 456-5822.