DUNNVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
MONTHLY PROGRAM, OPTIMIST HALL
Thursday, January 19, 2017
A January record attendance of 51 people signed in to kick-off our first monthly program of 2017. Deb Zynomirski, Vice-President extended a warm welcome to everyone on behalf of President Debbie Thomas, vacationing in Cuba. Appreciation was expressed to our 2017 Board of Directors working behind the scenes to make this evening happen and create an atmosphere of welcome.
Deb Z. conducted a brief business meeting providing helpful updates on important DHS activities:
Our Treasurer’s Report is posted on the back bulletin board. Monthly Program Minutes are printed on agendas and on the back bulletin board.
Memberships are on sale tonight. Ways and Means tickets are available before 7pm and at breaktime.
Our NEW 2017 brochure was highlighted. We have an exciting year ahead with some of the best speakers, yet! Our plant drop off and sale will be held at 111 Broad St. rather than our Optimist Hall parking lot. Our Seed Exchange will take place in February instead of October. We are excited to partner with Dunnville Christian School (DCS) and Haldimand County (HC) for the Centennial Fountain Rehabilitation with kick-off activities April 29 and Rededication September 23. Our website www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org provides additional information and updates.
Moving forward, four refreshment volunteers are needed for each month. Speak to Deb Z. or sign the snack volunteers book in the kitchen. Thanks to Wray and Bev McLean for serving in the kitchen and to those who bring delicious snacks for everyone to enjoy.
Market Redevelopment Fundraiser, Feb. 17 at Lifespan Centre. This evening includes dinner, auctions, and good fellowship. Those DHS members who have attended in the past highly recommend this event. Tickets: $25 from J. Richardson (905) 975-9538 or buyfresh.dfm@gmail.com
Centennial Fountain Project update was shared. We are excited to see the rehabilitation of this fountain especially the restorative work contracted with Mr. Christian Corbet on the friezes originally designed by renowed artist, Elizabeth Holbrook.
Light Up Display details were discussed with Chamber of Commerce. Our new location puts us in an excellent location with the new market building and the new waterfront greenspace and park.
4-H Garden Club partnership is developing with DHS. We look forward to bringing more children into our Junior Gardeners’ program as we partner with 4-H. This has positive potential for everyone involved. Insurance issues have been discussed and are covered.
A 10 minute break was announced with time to purchase 2017 memberships for the Early Bird draw next month. 32 memberships were purchased in total tonight, another new January record.
Delicious refreshments were generously provided for all to enjoy by Steve and Jenny Elgersma, Ellen Guenther, Mary and Lester Fretz
Darlene Bucsis and Barbara Whyte. Our snacks are an important part of our monthly program night. Thank you, volunteers.
Our well-seasoned gardening panel guests, Marlene Link and Lester Fretz, “Gardening Q&A 2017” were introduced. As always, the panel discussion and audience conversation was entertaining and most informative covering a broad range of topics including: cotton briefs, composting, wind turbines, dealing with moles & chinch bugs, lawn care, growing larger tomatoes, using chicken manure, rose care and propagation, starting plants from seeds, bone meal vrs. epsom salts, getting elderberry trees to produce fruit, and organic gardening principles. We are blessed with our wealth of gardening knowledge and experience in DHS. Thanks to those who participated and to Deb Z, who served as our dynamic host.
Guests were thanked and everyone was invited to return for our February 16 seed exchange, Early Bird Draw and program, “Heirloom Seeds, Open Pollination, and Vegetable Boxes” with guest speaker Hanna Jacobs, Matchbox Garden and Seed Company, Caledonia. She will present and powerpoint about her journey with seeds and bring seeds to sell to those who are interested. Her website is: www.matchboxgarden.ca
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Ways & Means winners were called. Thanks to Betty Balanger and Gwen VanNatter for organizing these recycled treasures and for donations. $53.35 was raised. Thanks to everyone who attended, helped out, and contributed to our Kitchen tips $34.80.
Sandi Marr, DHS Secretary