Each year the Bonsai Club of Martha’s Vineyard sets up an exhibit at the Agricultural Fair. This year there were 16 trees on exhibit from club members. Instead of having official judges, the Bonsai Club has a ballot box where fairgoers could vote for their favorite tree. This year there were 296 ballots cast for the People’s Choice Award. The highest tally, 58 votes, went to Don Sibley’s Japanese larch in the professional division. In the nonprofessional division, Dan Whiting received a blue ribbon with 42 votes for his “ageless” olive tree. Jason Lew earned a red ribbon with 34 votes for his Brazilian Rain Tree narrowly, edging out Wayne Smith for third place with his Chinese elm forest, with 32 votes.
The Bonsai Club of Martha’s Vineyard meets monthly on the third Tuesday of the month at the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living at 7 pm. Anyone interested is invited to attend. For more information, contact Wayne Smith at 508-696-7461.
