Municipal District of Smoky River residents Tony and Jeanne Boucher are this year’s winners of the Albert Fontaine Beautiful Yard Award. The prestigious award was launched back in 1990 in memory of UFA member Albert Fontaine.

The hard work ethic of Tony and Jeanne Boucher towards their colourful yard has paid off in big dividends. So big in fact that it’s netted the couple the formal distinction of being recognized as the 2008 winners of the Albert Fontaine Beautiful Yard Award for the Municipal District of Smoky River. “We didn’t see this coming at all. It was really unexpected… a very pleasant surprise,” says a thrilled first time winner Jeanne from her rural home situated on three quarter sections approximately 15 miles north of Donnelly Corner along Highway 2. What isn’t surprising is that judges viewed the Boucher residence as one which stood out well above and beyond the rest of the competition in this year’s contest, which wrapped up July 17. And it isn’t hard to see why. One brief glance around the Boucher yard is all that’s needed to reach the conclusion the couple is meticulous when it comes to maintaining their yard and dressing it up around a sea of brilliant floral colours and decorative yard ornaments. “We started off gradually and just kept adding a little bit more here and there each year,” says Jeanne, whose passion towards yard beautification got the best of her five years ago when she decided to go all-out by adding a large flower garden. “I plant tulips and daffodils each fall and add a number of different perennials each spring. It always seems like I’m transplanting something to achieve another dimension of colour within the garden.” Jeanne, who takes tremendous pride in the overall visual appeal of their rural residence, spends upwards of four to five hours a day working out in the yard to maintain the desired effect. “It’s pretty much become a full-time occupation for her in the spring and summer months,” says Tony, adding that she’s equally committed to maintaining their lot at Shaw’s Point Resort on weekends. The contest, sponsored annually by the Smoky River Agricultural Society in partnership with the United Farmers of Alberta Ltd. and the Municipal District of Smoky River, was judged this year by Vince Pullar. He says the Boucher yard was certainly worthy of recognition as the winner in year’s competition. “Overall, it’s a very beautiful yard,” Therriault. “It’s pretty hard to find a fault with anything.” For their prize-winning yard and hard work, the Boucher couple will receive a gate sign donated from the M.D. of Smoky River, with their name on a large trophy at Falher UFA and an individual trophy, as well as $100 from the agricultural society. The prizes are being presented at the agricultural society’s annual awards night in late November of this year. With a maximum overall score of 150 points available, the Bouchers’ received 142 points, including a perfect score of 10 for the general farmstead or acreage plan and protection by shelterbelt. The yard was also judged on various other criteria, ranging from:
-Farmstead or acreage approach, which includes condition of the road/lane, gateway, landscaping, and signage (score: 24 of 25).
-Vegetable garden is free of weeds, and has variety, economy of space and variety (24 of 25).
-Buildings for general conditions and paint, and absence of unused irreparable buildings (23 of 25).
- General tidiness including absence of long grass, weeds, and garbage (19 of 20).
- Grounds, for landscaping arrangement, lawns, trees and shrubs, pruning, trees and shrubs are free of pests and diseases, and floral displays (42 of 45).
The Albert Fontaine Beautiful Yard Award contest began in 1990, when UFA approached the agricultural society to develop a project in memory of the local UFA member Albert Fontaine.