By Barbara Wilson
To The Haldimand Press
The Haldimand Horticultural Society (HHS) has had a lot on the go the past two months. The combined Spring & Fall Mini Show Awards were presented in October as follows.
Sharon Slack won top overall points; top points in show design, show potted plant, and show specimen; and best in show design and specimen. Don Reeder won second overall points; top points in show vegetable; and best in show for dahlia and show vegetable. Third overall points was a tie between Debra Keddy and Kim Chandle, and best in show potted plant went to Elsie Eubank.
Winners of the October table centerpieces were: 1st Elsie Eubank, 2nd Lourdes Conte-Oro, 3rd Sharon Slack, 4th Barb Matten, and 5th Marilyn Sutor. The “Green Gardian” and the Junior Gardener Award was presented to youth group member Elora Tonnies.
Congratulations to all our participants and winners.
The District 6 Fall Dinner was hosted by the Haldimand Horticultural Society in November. There are 21 societies that make up District 6 and many of those members attended. Guest speaker Paul Knowles was enjoyed by all.
CALEDONIA—HHS Director Bernadine Lutes presents Van Nort bulbs for sale at HHS’ Fall Dinner.
Our “Poppy Project” was a great success. It was amazing to have close to 2,500 poppies made and donated for this project displayed at the Caledonia Cenotaph for Remembrance Day. They looked so beautiful and it was very moving sight to see. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped attach poppies to the chicken wire and to the “Green Gardians”, who attached poppies to the mesh for the “Lest We Forget” banner on the upper landing of the Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre.
Installation of the 2023 HHS Executive Committee Members & Board of Directors was held at the November Annual General Meeting. Susan MacMillan, OHA Assistant District Director, installed the new officers:
- President – Elsie Eubank
- 1st Vice President – Barbara Wilson
- Secretary – Susan Reeder
- Treasurer – Susan Reeder (interim)
- Financial Reviewers – Adele Brown & Lori Maggio
Board of Directors: Charlie Garvie, Brenda Taylor, Flora Miller, Bernadine Lutes, Don Reeder, Gord Roberts, Barb Roth, Barb Matten, Erica Britton, Daniel Britton, Lourdes Conte-Oro & Ricardo Conte-Oro.
The Annual Awards took place as well, with Elsie Eubank presenting Susan Reeder the President’s Award. Most points for the monthly competitions for the year went to: 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd Rabiya Azeez, 3rd Coby Osinga, 4th Lena Atkinson, 5th Barbara Wilson. The Novice Trophy was awarded to Rabiya Azeez.
The November Competition saw the following winners: Horticultural Division – Winter storage vegetables – 1st Don Reeder. Container of Christmas Cactus in bloom – 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd Barbara Wilson. Design Division – Christmas Theme vertical line traditional design – 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd John Bowman. Christmas wreath – 1st Sharon Sack. Christmas dining room table centrepiece – 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd Barbara Wilson. Novice Division – Christmas Swag – 1st Barbara Wilson. Craft Division Jelly Jam – 1st Doreen Scott, 2nd Barbara Wilson. Any jam, except jelly – 1st Barbara Wilson, 2nd Sharon Slack, 3rd Doreen Scott. Photograph Division – “Early Frost” – 1st Sharon Slack. “Leaves of Colour” – 1st Sharon Slack, 2nd Barbara Wilson.
The guest speaker for our meeting was Roman Bodnar, who is a landscape designer from Eising Greenhouses in Simcoe. Several landscaping tips were given as well as favourite shrubs and trees he likes to plant in gardens.
HHS is a club for all gardeners; we grow friendships and gardens. If you are interested in becoming a member or want to know more, visit our websit, or Facebook or email haldimandhorticulture@gmail.com.
