Sladich wins 2023 Copper Shovel
Larry Sladich holds the Copper Shovel for 2023, presented to him by the Anaconda Garden Club for having the best garden in the 59711 zip code.
Sladich's garden is at 518 Oak St.
This year's runner-up is Michelle Christian of 616 Rickards St. in Opportunity.
Also receiving votes this year were 1007 E. 3rd St
464 Washoe Park Rd
1713 W. Park Ave.
414 Alder St
610 W. 4th St
403 E. 8th St. Photos courtesy of Connie Fitzpatrick.
There's a new gardening champ in the Smelter City, but while he clearly has a green thumb, with 65 years of gardening experience he definitely isn't green.
Larry Sladich of 518 Oak St. is the winner of the 11th annual Copper Shovel Garden Contest, sponsored by the Anaconda Garden Club.
"I'm totally thrilled," said Sladich of winning the award, which takes the form of an engraved copper shovel donated by AFFCO.
Asked what he enjoys most about gardening, Sladich said "I love to see things grow. And it keeps me active and engaged outside."
His favorite plants in his garden are his tiger lilies, his sweet peas and his lettuce and tomatoes.
Asked what his secret is to growing his garden, Sladich said simply to "just make sure they get enough water."
The runner-up of the 2023 Copper Shovel Garden Contest is Michelle Christian of 616 Rickards St. in Opportunity. Houses also selected for voting were, in no particular order, 1713 W. Park Ave., 414 Alder St., 1007 E. 3rd, 464 Washoe Park Rd., 105 E. 7th St., 403 E. 8th St., and 610 W. 4th St.
This year's competition was open from July 9-22. This year, two groups of "Garden Scouts" toured the 59711 zip code area to discover contestants. The committee then selected nine contenders from more than 30 homes that were photographed.
To enter the Copper Shovel Garden Contest, residents could either call the number listed in the Anaconda Leader ad for the contest, or be discovered by garden scouts. Pictures are taken of the entryway of the home to determine curb appeal with gardens voted on at the July 27 potluck picnic. Previous winners are Lois Harris (2013), Ken and Theresa Verlanic (2014), Jo Ellen Biggers (2015), Min Verstraete (2016), Derinda Johnson (2017), Tammy Mattson (2018), DeDe Morse (2019), Kristina Fuerst (2020), Chad and Tammy Lanes (2021) and Janet Fuller (2022).
The contest is designed to support the club goals of promoting civic beautification and conservation of natural resources and spread the joy of gardening across the community. Residents are encouraged to drive around the 59711 zip code area to discover the beauty and variety of flowers decorating Anaconda homes.
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