Sept. 2016
Happy September! Summer is supposed to be winding down, but the only thing I have noticed so far is that the days are getting a little shorter. It’s still hot and sunny. It’s been a brutally dry summer as you can see by the brown lawns and fields around Haldimand County. Even our local golf courses are brown. Hopefully it won’t last too much longer. Dunnville’s downtown flowerbeds, however, look absolutely gorgeous. Thank you to all of our volunteers who are keeping them weeded and watered. You are all doing an incredible job.
June’s general program was well attended (as usual!). The Flower & Garden show had lots of entries and they were so creative and beautiful. Our members are so gifted and director Pauline did a great job putting the class list together and of course, thank you to our judges for their time and expertise. Our guest speaker was Frank Kershaw who showed us a slide presentation on beautiful gardens and how recycled and refurbished art can be used as focal points.
Our partnerships are forging ahead, with one of them being the Centennial Fountain Restoration project. Students at Dunnville Christian School have hopped on board to help and as of June had raised over $1000 towards the reparation of the fountain. They are so excited to be involved in this project. In 1967, as part of Dunnville’s Centennial celebrations, the fountain was commissioned with both sides of it (the uprights) having 5 panels created by the late sculptor, Hamilton born Elizabeth Holbrook. The panels depict scenes of life along the Grand River. Because of the fountain’s historic significance we are hoping to see it restored and hopefully in time for Canada’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2017.
The members-only garden tour in July was a huge success. Thank you to all the home owners who opened up their gardens for everyone to see. All the gardens were gorgeous. We received lots of positive feedback so I have a sneaky feeling this is going to be an annual event from now on.
The August bus tour to Niagara was awesome!! The bus was full. Deb Zynomirski did a wonderful job organizing everything from the perfect winery destinations, views and tour guides. The heat and rain didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits. Thank you, Deb, for all of your hard work—everyone had a great time.
On Friday September 9th, we are participating in the Haldimand Motors Great Tricycle Race in Cayuga. This is a first for the DHS. This year there is a Western theme. We are going to be entering a float in the parade and of course the tricycle race itself. Come out and help if you can. Come dressed in your finest Western garb, bring a food donation, bring a sweater and a lawn chair and have some fun. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at` 9:00 p.m. with a fireworks display.
Our speaker for the upcoming program on September 15th will be Wendi Prior who is an assistant manager at the new Terra Greenhouse in Hamilton. She will be talking to us about ways to garden in drought conditions. We’ll see if we’ve been doing it right these past few months. She is sure to have some stock with her for sale too. This is also your last opportunity to help support the Junior Gardeners by placing a fall bulb order. Vessey’s always has great stock and it’s a great way to contribute to the Junior Gardener Program. October’s speaker will be Jeff Bokma and his topic will be “Houseplants 101”. This will also be our annual seed exchange and our Fall Flower & Veggie show.
Lastly, it is with a very heavy heart that I must announce, if you haven’t heard already, that our beloved Judy Jeffery passed away on August 14th after a courageous battle with cancer. She was such an inspiration to all of us. Her disabilities never slowed her down: when she wasn’t working hard at her garden centre on Marshall Road she was working for the DHS and she always had a smile on her face. Over the years she has served as DHS treasurer (2004-2007) and president (2010-2012). Recently she was involved with leading our new Junior Gardeners. She was a very special lady and will be missed by many. Her family has requested that any donations that you may wish to make in her memory be directed to the Dunnville Horticultural Society.
See you at the upcoming program.
Sue Mazi, DHS Corresponding Secretary.
Essential advice for the gardener: grow peas of mind, lettuce be thankful, squash selfishness, turnip to help thy neighbor, and always make thyme for loved ones. ~Author Unknown