Oct. 2015

President Debbie Thomas welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 7:10pm.
Debbie updated all members on the following points:

1.) Haldimand County’s Recognition night, held Oct 14th. DHS was nominated under “Project Award” for our beautiful gardens throughout town and in recognition of partnerships we have formed within the community. DHS was nominated in same category as the Dunnville Lions Club for the new skate park. DHS did not win but are very proud to be nominated and recognized by community and peers. Congratulations to Lions!!

2.) Four new trees have been added to Chestnut St. ( between Broad St and Queen St.) DHS noticed that during repairs to the street, curbs and sidewalks, an opportunity to address some needed streetscaping could be implemented. DHS reached out to the County for permission and Dunnville BIA to help fund and very quickly locations were marked, four ivory silk lilac were purchased, and planted. The street now as four trees on either side.

3.) DHS applied for the gift of tulips, under the Friendship Garden application. If we had been accepted, DHS would have received 750 red and white tulips from Vessey’s Bulbs. Vessey’s Bulbs, in partnership with the Canadian Garden Council, is trying to replicate the original gift of 100,000 tulips originally given to the people of Canada in appreciation for hosting the Royal family during Princess Margriet’s birth, and the successful role the Canadian Armed Forces played in liberating Holland. Because this was a national program, they tried to allocate the tulips geographically across Canada. Although the DHS didn’t get chosen, Vessy’s Bulbs sent us a free gift of 4 types of *new bulbs to use as we choose.
(Prizes for our first Pumpkin Decorating Contest)

Debbie asked everyone to have a look at please fill in the survey that had been handed out. The survey will aid the board of directors in planning, improving and ensuring a strong vibrant club.

A request was put forward for volunteers and nominations for new directors for 2016, and of our need for a recording secretary. Due to her work schedule, our current secretary Sue Mazi can’t always make 7pm meetings. A recording secretary would reduce some secretarial duties. Sandi Marr was nominated by Kim Christoff to that position, and she accepted joining board and taking on the position of recording secretarial position. Judy Jeffery and Margaret Bottrell also volunteered to join.

A reminder for volunteers to come out Sat Oct 17th at 10am for the annual DHS town-wide flower bed clean up. Dress for weather, wear gloves and meet at bridge parking lot for directions. Also the volunteers that weeded all season were thanked and given donated vouchers from McDonalds for a free meal in appreciation. DHS still has a few available donated coupons from A&W and McDonalds for the helpers on clean up day.

Thank you to the volunteers that came out to decorate the large pots up town with mums, purchased by the Dunnville BIA.

Kim Christoff briefly went over treasurer report, donations amd costs. The DHS in a good financial position due to prudent spending practices, to expanding partnerships and to a loyal generous community and DHS members. She mentioned that DHS has received quotes on having decorative pressed concrete curbing installed around the East and West Welcome signs. A date of completion has yet to be announced. The DHS is preparing grant applications, getting quotes and seeking out partnerships from Service groups to repair the old fountain in Centennial park, and to repair/update the floral clock by the bridge.

Trivia Question – thinking back on Sand Marrs talk about using things readily available in nature, the trivia question of what is a scrumper?, or scrumping?
Debbie said she apparently is one, and didn’t know it had a name.
** Answer – apparently rogue people helping themselves to readily available, accessible fruit growing along road sides, rail trails, public areas that would otherwise go to waste.

Break- Delicious refreshments, prepared and donated from Deb Zynomirski, Joan King, Denise Richardson, Bev McLean and Sandra Gill. Thank you to our kitchen volunteers Pauline Bradford and to our DSS students Brant, Michelle and Shaunesy.

During break the judging of the pumpkin decorating contest took place.
Volunteer judges were Bruce Burton, Ken Sherwood, Steve Elgersma and Rob Marr.

Our guest speaker Jeff Bokma from Vermeers was introduced, and he presented on “all you need to know about fall bulbs”.

Winners of Pumpkin decorating contest, Gloria Hunter, Marilyn Stavinga, Anna Lam and Ian Steel. Each were given a bag of Vessey’s bulbs. Categories were prettiest, scariest, funniest, most original. A success with many entries, DHS will be doing again next year?

Closing remarks from Debbie included a reminder of next months meeting on Nov 19th. This will be the DHS annual Christmas celebration pot luck. There will be NO WAYS AND MEANS, but a penny sale table instead. We’ll have a food drive, and the 4 season photo contest. Also new this year will be the Junior Gardeners award night for their gardens.

The meeting was concluded with the WAYS AND MEANS draw.