2022
Annual Report of Activities
After a lengthy hiatus, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticultural Society met in person for the first time in 2022, in April. It was a small gathering, but a welcome one, and it was great to get together with our gardening friends at last! Our Speaker for the evening was Tony Juurlink from Lynx Tree Care, and he spoke to us about caring for our trees, which trees to consider when planting new trees, and so much more. We did not follow up our meeting with the usual ‘social’ due to Covid-19 safety protocols.
The Plant Sale was held in May, with Barb Curran &Jean Bott. Again, it was nice for many to be out and about and even though this event is traditionally a Plant and Bake Sale, we opted not to have the baked goods available as to follow Pandemic protocols. The birdhouse draw was also a part of the event this year, thank you to Len Fisher!
Civic Improvements were again done by Mary Schippers, planting the two beds in the Centennial Park. Also, Mary looked after the planting of shrub at Hilliardton Marsh for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - A honeysuckle has been planted and a plaque has been purchased. Thanks to Mary Schippers and Ginny Montminy for looking after this.
In June we visited Aidie Creek Gardens and Carrie did a demonstration on planting a pot or basket, focusing on jewel colors and showcasing other plants.
Horticulture Week was also celebrated from June 12th to 19th. For the last few years it has all been done virtually, however before the pandemic if you recall, our celebrations were a little more interactive. We asked the local schools to send in photographs of their classes doing gardening related activities, as well as what has become a popular social media photo challenge. New this year was contributions to a gardening play list "Garden Ear Worms" and that playlist lives on and well on YouTube. Also new this year, but will be done again in future years, is kicking off the week with a seed and tool exchange in the park.
The junior gardening competition was again led by Bonnie and Eileen, and it kicked off in June, with 12 participants, and awards being handed out at the meeting in October.
In July we visited Anna Regele at her Country Charm Flowers location, with 30 people attending, and people were stopping me on the street after the event to tell me how much fun they had. Royal LePage sponsored the event by providing vases to use for the cut flower gardens and this event was definitely a success!
In October we celebrated the children’s efforts in their garden competitions, we brought the social back to the meetings, and the Civic gardens were put to bed for the winter.
In November we were able to once again host the popular Christmas Workshop and Anna didn’t disappoint with the lanterns!
The pandemic showed us a few things – how fortunate we are to live where we have access to the great outdoors, how wonderful it is to have like minded friends, how much we really do appreciate the time in our gardens, and in other people’s gardens. It also ‘forced’ us to consider and ultimately adopt the policy of allowing e transfers for memberships, and I believe this is reflected in our increased membership numbers. Huge thanks to Ginny for making that work.
Here's to the glory of gardening with our hands in the dirt, and our hearts with nature.
Evelyne Nemcsok
First Vice President
Annual Report of Activities
After a lengthy hiatus, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticultural Society met in person for the first time in 2022, in April. It was a small gathering, but a welcome one, and it was great to get together with our gardening friends at last! Our Speaker for the evening was Tony Juurlink from Lynx Tree Care, and he spoke to us about caring for our trees, which trees to consider when planting new trees, and so much more. We did not follow up our meeting with the usual ‘social’ due to Covid-19 safety protocols.
The Plant Sale was held in May, with Barb Curran &Jean Bott. Again, it was nice for many to be out and about and even though this event is traditionally a Plant and Bake Sale, we opted not to have the baked goods available as to follow Pandemic protocols. The birdhouse draw was also a part of the event this year, thank you to Len Fisher!
Civic Improvements were again done by Mary Schippers, planting the two beds in the Centennial Park. Also, Mary looked after the planting of shrub at Hilliardton Marsh for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - A honeysuckle has been planted and a plaque has been purchased. Thanks to Mary Schippers and Ginny Montminy for looking after this.
In June we visited Aidie Creek Gardens and Carrie did a demonstration on planting a pot or basket, focusing on jewel colors and showcasing other plants.
Horticulture Week was also celebrated from June 12th to 19th. For the last few years it has all been done virtually, however before the pandemic if you recall, our celebrations were a little more interactive. We asked the local schools to send in photographs of their classes doing gardening related activities, as well as what has become a popular social media photo challenge. New this year was contributions to a gardening play list "Garden Ear Worms" and that playlist lives on and well on YouTube. Also new this year, but will be done again in future years, is kicking off the week with a seed and tool exchange in the park.
The junior gardening competition was again led by Bonnie and Eileen, and it kicked off in June, with 12 participants, and awards being handed out at the meeting in October.
In July we visited Anna Regele at her Country Charm Flowers location, with 30 people attending, and people were stopping me on the street after the event to tell me how much fun they had. Royal LePage sponsored the event by providing vases to use for the cut flower gardens and this event was definitely a success!
In October we celebrated the children’s efforts in their garden competitions, we brought the social back to the meetings, and the Civic gardens were put to bed for the winter.
In November we were able to once again host the popular Christmas Workshop and Anna didn’t disappoint with the lanterns!
The pandemic showed us a few things – how fortunate we are to live where we have access to the great outdoors, how wonderful it is to have like minded friends, how much we really do appreciate the time in our gardens, and in other people’s gardens. It also ‘forced’ us to consider and ultimately adopt the policy of allowing e transfers for memberships, and I believe this is reflected in our increased membership numbers. Huge thanks to Ginny for making that work.
Here's to the glory of gardening with our hands in the dirt, and our hearts with nature.
Evelyne Nemcsok
First Vice President
No Annual Meetings in person for 2020 and 2021!!
2019
Annual Meeting
Our 2019 annual meeting was held January 16, at the former United Church. There was the usual amazing potluck, and the business of the meeting as well. The annual report booklet was presented and the executive and directors elected. The program featured Jeff Warner, who talked about growing giant pumpkins, and corn mazes. Claudette Black was
presented with a Service Certificate.
Programs
In February, Kim Inglis shared her experiences in organic gardening both in Southern and
Northern Ontario. In March’s general meeting, Eileen Fisher and Bonnie Warner did a presentation on house
plants. April brought us ‘What’s new at Aidie Creek Gardens’ with Carrie Anne Field. In May Bruce Murphy presented a slide show and talked about attracting and caring for birds in your garden. The annual plant and bake sale was also held in May, headed up by Jean Bott. June’s meeting was informal and was held at the home of Eileen & Len Fisher. Charlie Warner offered up a presentation and demonstration on pruning. June also saw the launch of Horticultural Week 2019 – there were activities in the local schools, and another social media photo challenge. The Society was assisted by the EPS Earth Rangers in a clean-up of the Millennial Garden at EPS, and plans were made to add a Butterfly Garden to the existing community garden established by the Girl Guides. That however was put off until next year, due to being rained out. The Youth Garden Competition was also announced in June. And June being the busy month that it is, it was also when Mary and Bruce took care of the civic planting. In July we held our annual bbq at the home of Rick & Carol Heaslip. Eileen Fisher conducted the auction, with the assistance of Olivia and Steven Nemcsok. The program for August was a field trip to Lilley Bee Apiary in Earlton. A car -pool was established, and there was no social after the trip. Jean Bott and Rick Heaslip gave a great demonstration showing how to press and dry plant material in September. The original program for October was cancelled due to illness, and a Question and Answer period was instead scheduled to coincide with the award ceremony for the Youth Garden Competition. The November board meeting was held at Eileen Fisher’s home due to renovations occurring at the church, and the final planning for the Christmas Workshop was done. The Christmas Workshop, which is always a hit, was postponed this year due to weather. Originally scheduled for the end of November, this year it was held in December, and Anna Regele and Carrie Anne Field did a lovely job presenting and demonstrating. November also saw the clean up of the civic planting beds, by Mary & Bruce.
Other Events
The District 12 Annual Meeting was on April 27th, however Englehart delegates were unable to
attend due to weather and driving conditions. The society continues to encourage young gardeners to participate in the Youth Gardening Competitions, and all the other horticultural activities throughout the community. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Guides in our area, and to continually seek ways to get the members of our community to be mindful and care for the not only the plants, flowers and shrubs, but also the pollinators and their habitats as well.
Our Facebook page, bulletin and website continue to inform the public of our presence in the community. Our conveners provide great events for all to enjoy.
Thanks to all who keep the society alive and well!
Evelyne Nemcsok
First Vice President
Annual Meeting
Our 2019 annual meeting was held January 16, at the former United Church. There was the usual amazing potluck, and the business of the meeting as well. The annual report booklet was presented and the executive and directors elected. The program featured Jeff Warner, who talked about growing giant pumpkins, and corn mazes. Claudette Black was
presented with a Service Certificate.
Programs
In February, Kim Inglis shared her experiences in organic gardening both in Southern and
Northern Ontario. In March’s general meeting, Eileen Fisher and Bonnie Warner did a presentation on house
plants. April brought us ‘What’s new at Aidie Creek Gardens’ with Carrie Anne Field. In May Bruce Murphy presented a slide show and talked about attracting and caring for birds in your garden. The annual plant and bake sale was also held in May, headed up by Jean Bott. June’s meeting was informal and was held at the home of Eileen & Len Fisher. Charlie Warner offered up a presentation and demonstration on pruning. June also saw the launch of Horticultural Week 2019 – there were activities in the local schools, and another social media photo challenge. The Society was assisted by the EPS Earth Rangers in a clean-up of the Millennial Garden at EPS, and plans were made to add a Butterfly Garden to the existing community garden established by the Girl Guides. That however was put off until next year, due to being rained out. The Youth Garden Competition was also announced in June. And June being the busy month that it is, it was also when Mary and Bruce took care of the civic planting. In July we held our annual bbq at the home of Rick & Carol Heaslip. Eileen Fisher conducted the auction, with the assistance of Olivia and Steven Nemcsok. The program for August was a field trip to Lilley Bee Apiary in Earlton. A car -pool was established, and there was no social after the trip. Jean Bott and Rick Heaslip gave a great demonstration showing how to press and dry plant material in September. The original program for October was cancelled due to illness, and a Question and Answer period was instead scheduled to coincide with the award ceremony for the Youth Garden Competition. The November board meeting was held at Eileen Fisher’s home due to renovations occurring at the church, and the final planning for the Christmas Workshop was done. The Christmas Workshop, which is always a hit, was postponed this year due to weather. Originally scheduled for the end of November, this year it was held in December, and Anna Regele and Carrie Anne Field did a lovely job presenting and demonstrating. November also saw the clean up of the civic planting beds, by Mary & Bruce.
Other Events
The District 12 Annual Meeting was on April 27th, however Englehart delegates were unable to
attend due to weather and driving conditions. The society continues to encourage young gardeners to participate in the Youth Gardening Competitions, and all the other horticultural activities throughout the community. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Guides in our area, and to continually seek ways to get the members of our community to be mindful and care for the not only the plants, flowers and shrubs, but also the pollinators and their habitats as well.
Our Facebook page, bulletin and website continue to inform the public of our presence in the community. Our conveners provide great events for all to enjoy.
Thanks to all who keep the society alive and well!
Evelyne Nemcsok
First Vice President