By Barb Wilson, HHS President
HALDIMAND—The Haldimand Horticultural Society (HHS) created three displays of poppy banners this November at the Caledonia, Hagersville, and Cayuga cenotaphs. We are grateful to the community (individuals and groups such as St. Paul’s Anglican Church Prayer Shawl Group) for donations of knitted and crocheted poppies in red, purple, and white for these displays. The total number of poppies donated since 2022 is 4,115. Two members, Anne Jay and Barbara Jean Garvie, have donated 700 and 400 poppies respectively themselves. Next November we plan on creating a new banner for the cenotaph in Jarvis.
Our Annual General Meeting saw the 2025 Executive & Board of Directors installed by our OHA Assistant District Director, Liz Chapple.
Annual Awards were presented to:
- Overall Points: 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd Barbara Wilson, 3rd Elsie Eubank
- Most Points in Cut Flowers: Amanda Wagner
- Best Cut Flowers: Carol Jones
- Most Points Vegetables: Barb Wilson
- Best Vegetables: Barb Wilson
- Most Points Potted Plants: Elsie Eubank
- Best Potted Plant: Barbara Jean Garvie
- Best in Show Dahlia: Sharon Slack- Hugh Shipway Trophy
- Most Points in Design: Sharon Slack
- Best Design: Sharon Slack
- Novice: Dianne Norman – Catherine McGill Trophy
Our urn workshops were popular again this year. Participants created beautiful decorations for their homes. Members also enjoyed speaker Cathy Boyko’s video presentation of hostas at the AGM.
As our 40th anniversary year comes to a close, we thank members and our community for their support throughout the year. We look forward to many more years of adventures in our gardens!
November Competition Results
A. Horticultural Division
Winter storage vegetables- 3 the same: 1st Barb Wilson, 2nd Sharon Slack, 3rd Barb Matten, 4th Barb Wilson
Container of Christmas cactus in bloom: 1st Coby Osinga, 2nd Barb Wilson
B. Design Division
“Red, Yellow, Green”- traditional Line Design: 1st Sandy Remedios, 2nd Sharon Slack
“Bells & Whistles” Christmas Wreath – ready to hang: 1st Barb Matten, 2nd Sharon Slack, 3rd Brenda Taylor
“Glitter Galore” Christmas table center piece: 1st Catherine McGill, 2nd Nora Hovland, 3rd Gloria Pizio, 4th Sharon Slack
C. Novice Division
Christmas Swag – ready to hang: 1st Charles Garvie
D. Craft Division
Christmas Decorated Shortbread cookies (3): 1st Barb Wilson
Chip Dip: 1st Barb Wilson
Pickles: 1st Barbara Jean Garvie and Barb Matten
Jam: 1st Barb Matten
E. Photograph Division
“Water & Changing Leaves”: 1st Barbara Jean Garvie, 2nd Brenda Taylor
