Rotary of Oyster Bay paid out $175 in prizes to the seven growers of prize tomatoes, grown within the borders of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. A new record was set by Don Jarvis of East Norwich. His tomato, weighing in at 2 lbs. 10 ounces beat out the previous winner grown five years ago, that weighed 2 lbs. 9.88 oz. The top seven winning tomatoes totaled 8 lbs. 8 oz.

The two top tomatoes were grown in East Norwich with the combined efforts of Don and Vivian Jarvis. Don Jarvis carried the tomatoes in a wicker basket to the courtyard of Townsend Square, outside the Homestead Restaurant. They were carefully protected by a terry cloth towel. It was serious competition and he was making sure they didn't lose any moisture. Mrs. Jarvis' tomato weighed 2 lbs. 3.8 oz. and earned her $50. Mr. Jarvis' tomato earned him $100. "The king and queen," said Mr. Jarvis in an aside.

It was reminiscent of the bluefish tournament, where the fish are kept on ice to preserve their weight. Mr. Jarvis' son Donny regularly competes in the annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament and his boatload of fishermen have often caught a winning fish.

"It's an intergenerational event," said Sandra Curcuru of East Norwich. "I thought it would be just, well, seasoned gardeners." Instead the tomato growers included parents, children and grandparents.

About 45 people stood by and watched the 21 entered eatables compete. Two, three and sometimes four people came with each tomato entry. The tomatoes were weighed by Rotary President Dr. George Chesterton on a mail scale. His wife, Dot, took down the information as he called it out.

The next five winners earned $5 each for their weighty produce: 3- Tony Cassano, 2 lbs. 2.5 oz.; 4-Nancy Metz, 1 lb. 6.6 oz.; 4- Carmen DeLuccia 1 lb. 6.6 oz.; 6- Arlene Weltman 1 lb. 15.5 oz. and 7- Sandra Curcuru, 1 lb. 12.5 oz. Nancy Metz' grandmother brought her winning tomato. All kept ownership of their tomatoes.

You will notice there are two winners in the number four category, and therefore none for fifth place. Milton Zipper said the next day, "Please remember the rules were created by Mr. Zipper and are subject to change. If you don't like them, we'll change them."

The tomato growers, in order of entrance were: Arlene Weltman, Joseph Bartumioli, Nancy Metz, Jeanine Wurtz, Matthew Caluneo, Tom Sinnott (who submitted two tomatoes), Mark Rekert, Tony Cassano, Sandra Curcuru, Denise Wurtz, Justin Imburgia, Matthew Morgan, Carmen DeLucia (who submitted three tomatoes, Vivian Jarvis, Don Jarvis, Tony Visslailli (who submitted two), Gene Abatte, and Mary DiSario. How did Don Jarvis grow his winning tomato? Úquot;I work for the Flower Oyster Company in security. I put in crushed oyster shells and soda pop (I can't mention which one) and beer.Úquot; Just regular beer, he said. Mr. Jarvis said he wouldn't eat his winners. He will let them go to seed for next year's crop. Úquot;I've got to set a new record next year,Úquot; he said. Úquot;It's a lot of enjoyment for us, we love it.Úquot; When we asked where Matthew and Linda Morgan's tomato was in the competition, he said, Úquot;It's nowhere.Úquot; Úquot;When we left the house this morning, I said, we're going to Tomato Country, it's like the Rose Show,Úquot; said Linda Morgan. Úquot;I had to take the tomato in two weeks ago. I should have left it on the vine, but it was getting too ripe. I put it in the fridge to keep it. It's like growing for the Rose Show,Úquot; she said again. Linda raises prize-winning roses and has an annual benefit tea for the St. Dominic Ladies Guild, at the end of July, when her garden is in full bloom. Eugene Abbate earned honorable mention for growing the biggest plum tomato. He gave his tomato-growing hints: Úquot;I put the seed in the flat and let it grow with the help of mother nature. I put grass clippings between the rows. It takes mother nature and tender loving care. Úquot;And, I talk to the plants,Úquot; he said. When Rotary member Tullio Donisi came in, someone shouted Úquot;Where's your tomato?Úquot; Úquot;I left her home,Úquot; he quipped. Tullio Donisi and his wife Hilde were planning to sell their home and retire elsewhere. Then they sat down together and he asked Hilde if she really wanted to move, and the two decided they wanted to stay in Oyster Bay the rest of their lives! Antonette Bellissimo was there with Robert and Caitlin Bellissimo. They brought plants grown by her brother Carmen DeLuccia. Úquot;He grows them near the railroad. We used to have a farm there,Úquot; she said. Úquot;We won five years ago with tomatoes grown from six plants given to us by Tony Cassano.Úquot; Rich Cieciuch was the master of ceremonies. He was pleased at the great enthusiasm of the crowd. He introduced the Rotarians, a group of past presidents including Andy Tini, CEO of Tomato labels, (each was identified by a round sticky dot with a number), Cliff McLean - tomato grower registrar, Harry Pinkerton - banner bearer, Ed Coblens, Rich himself, and Milt Zipper, chair of the event and current president George Chesterton, the tomato weigher. Rich Cieciuch said, Úquot;We'll have to do this again next year.Úquot; They all agreed. As we went to press on Monday, Vivian Jarvis said she and Don were interviewed by Channel 12 to appear on Channel 95, the East Norwich Neighborhood News spot. Úquot;It will be on at 10 p.m. Monday and all day Tuesday,Úquot; she said. They took pictures in the garden and chatted with the couple. Good news gets around!