Will councillor Ferguson “ketchup” to Mayor Quaiff in charity tomato challenge?

A charity gardening challenge between between a County-born mayor and an urban import councillor is under way.

Mayor Robert Quaiff and councillor Steve Ferguson are putting their green thumbs to the test with a hope to raise some funds for favourite charities – and bragging rights – by attempting to grow the finest possible Striped German tomato.

The Striped German Tomato Challenge was born on the Victoria Day weekend as both men purchased seedlings at Vicki’s Veggies tomato seedling sale. Striped Germans are a large, heirloom, beefsteak tomato, rich in flavour and somewhat sweet, possessing a red and yellow blended color in flesh and skin when mature.

“The mayor and I have each pledged $100 and are looking for supporters for our respective sides with the winner – either he or I – donating all the money raised to the charity of our choice in Prince Edward County,” said Ferguson.

The Mayor, so far is leading the challenge, having posted two photographs this week.

Mayor Quaiff announces his first tomato.

On July 1 he noted on his Facebook page he was “Pleased to announce the birth of my first Striped German Tomato. Welcome baby Rainer. Two days later he announced “Rainer now has a baby sister, Resi (One who harvests).

Having seen no photographs from his challenger, he noted in a post showing him watering healthy tomato plants: “Hey City Boy (I mean councillor Ferguson) you have no birth announcements on your Striped German Family! I’m holding off with further announcements as I don’t want to embarrass you and your loved ones.”

Ferguson replied that “His Worship continues to taunt me with slurs about my urban upbringing. As one of my champions, Ali, reminded me, George Foreman did the same thing before the “Rumble in the Jungle” and we all know how that ended up. But we’re confused: A couple of weeks ago His Worship posted pictures with the comment, “Hey city boy, how do you like them tomatoes?” with not a tomato in sight, then there were some out-of-focus images of ‘tomatoes’, somewhere. Now it’s pictures of His Worship applying some kind of growth hormone spray to aid in growth and lord knows what else. On September 4th judges will be advised to stay well clear for the benefit of their health.”

And the challenge continues.

Ground rules state each man can work, prod, cajole and encourage three Striped German tomato plants from which they can enter up to three tomatoes. Outside “coaching” is allowed.
Judging will take place at Vicki’s Veggies’ Heirloom Hurrah tomato tasting event on Labour Day Weekend and blind judging will be based on appearance, weight and taste.
Pledges can be made on either the mayor’s Facebook page or Steven Ferguson’s for $20 or more. Please state who you are pledging to. All proceeds will be collected and donated to the charity of choice of the winner.

As of the Labour Day weekend there will be two winners – either the mayor or the councillor with bragging rights, and one charity a little better off than before the challenge.

Visit their Facebook pages to offer comments of support, and pledges of cold, hard cash between now and September 4th, and share this with your Facebook friends.

Click here for Robert Quaiff Facebook page
Click here for Steven Ferguson Facebook page
If you’re not a Facebook user, drop an envelope off at Shire Hall.