Fillmore Flower Show a Blooming Success
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, April 20th, 2023
This past week was the 2023 Fillmore Flower Show. This year’s theme was “Garden Treasures” and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s winners are pictured above: (l-r) Julie Latshaw, Colleen Chandler, Carmen Zermeño, Jean Westering, Bene Ambrosio, Michelle Smith and Lupe Garcia. Inset, some of the submissions for this year’s show. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Teacher Doris Nichols’ Fillmore Middle School students’ artwork was also on display at the Fillmore Flower Show. Also, a café was created for visitors to sit and chat as well as snack on some tea and treats, something they hope to continue for next year. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Above are more Flower Arrangements from this past weekends Flower show. Photo courtesy Jan Lee.
This past week was the 2023 Fillmore Flower Show. This year’s theme was “Garden Treasures” and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This year’s winners are pictured above: (l-r) Julie Latshaw, Colleen Chandler, Carmen Zermeño, Jean Westering, Bene Ambrosio, Michelle Smith and Lupe Garcia. Inset, some of the submissions for this year’s show. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Teacher Doris Nichols’ Fillmore Middle School students’ artwork was also on display at the Fillmore Flower Show. Also, a café was created for visitors to sit and chat as well as snack on some tea and treats, something they hope to continue for next year. Photos courtesy Jan Lee. Above are more Flower Arrangements from this past weekends Flower show. Photo courtesy Jan Lee.

By Jan Lee
Once again, local gardeners brought their “Garden Treasures” to the Fillmore Flower Show. The Active Adult Center was lovely with all the flowers and plants on display. Otto and Sons Nursery brought many yard decorations, plants and roses to further beautify the show.
It takes many people to plan and organize the flower show. The Civic Pride Committee would like to thank those who donated door prizes:
- Civic Pride volunteers
- Diamond Realty and Investments
- El Pescador Restaurant
- Green Thumb Nursery
- Houry Meguerditchian at Tracks Store
- King and King Ranch
- La Flor Bonita
- Los Altos Estilo Jalisco Restaurant
- Nancy Cope
- Otto and Sons Nursery
- Roan Mills Bakery
- Santiago Ranch
- The Scented Path
- The Treasure Station
- Vallarta Restaurant
- Yani’s Best Restaurant
- Sandi Ward’s Train Stop
Music on Saturday, April 15 was provided by Miss Faustina Walenski and Sunday by Barry Cooper. The music added to the enjoyment of the flower show.
The Committee would also like to thank everyone who brought flowers and plants. So many people went into their garden to select the best blooms to share with their community. Some of the dish gardens and potted plants have been growing for many years and seem to be family friends. Also, many of the participants took the extra care to make their entries reflect the theme, “Garden Treasures”.
The judges had a tough job. Each year the two judges volunteer their time to rate everything on display. They are professionals, but love coming to Fillmore so never let us pay them for their expertise.
Who were the 2023 winners?
Julie Latshaw won Best of Show with her gorgeous single stem cut iris (Division II). Michelle Smith won (Division I) Single Stem Cut Rose with her pink rose, “First Prize”. Michelle Smith also won (Division III), Other Single Stem Cut Flower with her Cymbidiums. Michelle told the crowd that she learned to grow flowers as a member of the Ventura Garden Club and encouraged others to join in the fun. Bene Ambrosio won (Division IV), Bouquets with her beautiful white watsonia. (Division V), Arrangements, was won by Colleen Chandler with her dramatic peach blossoms artistically arranged in an Asian vase. (Division VI), Miniature Arrangements and Bouquets has two categories and two winners. Carmen Zermeño won for Class B not to exceed 10 by 10 inches. Jean Westering won Class A not to exceed 4 by 4 inches. She said the vase for her arrangement was brought from Japan by her father at the end of World War II. (Division VII), Potted Plants, was won by Lupe Garcia, with her red Crown of Thorns plant. This was Lupe’s first year to enter! (Division VIII), Dish Gardens, was won by Carmen Zermeño, with a great succulent garden.
The Youth Arrangements were especially good this year. The young people really tried to follow the theme. (Division X), Youth Arrangements, was won by Dorie Klittich. The Youth Composition, (Division XI), was wan by Alice Klittich. Thank you to our talented Youth who entered. Thank you to their parents and teachers who encouraged them.
Ms. Doris Nichols brought her Fillmore Middle School student’s art work which added to the show. Regina Nuñez created the cafe for visitors to sit and chat and have a homemade cookie and a glass of tea. The plant boutique was popular again this year. All in all, it was a wonderful event. It will return again next year, so get cultivating!