Nov. 2015
This year is really winding down fast. The weather has been unbelievable this fall and it’s been a treat to be able to clean up the flowerbeds without freezing. Who knows – maybe it’ll stay like this until spring and then get warmer. I don’t like winter, but I do like having a break and waiting to see what the new spring season brings to my garden.
First and foremost I would like to extend a huge thank you to Sandi Marr who has come on board as our new recording secretary. My work schedule this past 6 months has made it almost impossible for me to attend the executive and general meetings. I will continue as our corresponding secretary as well as newsletter editor and anywhere else that my assistance is needed.
Our speaker for October was Jeff Bokma from Vermeers who spoke to our group about fall bulbs. Thank you, Jeff, for visiting us twice this year. Both of your lectures were very informative.
The upcoming general meeting is our Annual General Meeting. At this meeting we have our Installations of officers for 2016. Susan Lusted, District 9 Director, will swear in your new executive this year. I do believe all of the executive and directors are returning along with a couple of new faces. We will read the minutes from 2014’s AGM and present our year end treasurer’s report as well as our 2016 budget.
We also have our annual pot luck dinner at this meeting as well as our penny sale and photo contest. Dinner starts 6:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 5:30. Bring your favourite dish or dessert and if you have any great gardening photos bring them with you and enter them-you can enter 1 picture in each category: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Bring your 4 x 6 photos (without matting) and you may win a wonderful prize. Please don’t bring anything for Ways and Means – we won’t be holding it at this meeting. Instead we’ll be having our annual Penny Sale. Be sure to purchase your tickets when you arrive at the hall. Word on the street is that we’re having a special mystery guest. I wonder who that could be? It’ll be a great night – it always is! It’ll be a great opportunity to see everyone before the holidays.
Your executive will soon be busy planning 2016. There’ll be another great line up of speakers as well as our usual functions such as the May plant sale, Home and Garden show and Mudcat Parade. I do believe another bus trip is in the making as well.
Since this will be my last newsletter until January I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our executive and directors for their hard work this year. Every year gets better. Thank you, too, to all the volunteers who showed up to help out at the various functions this year. Our flowerbeds were outstanding this year, the properties that won Trillium Awards were fabulous, the Plant Sale raised over $1800, and the Dunnville Lions Home & Garden show gave us great community exposure as well as many new members. As I’ve said many times before, volunteers are the backbone of our society. Without our army of helpers none of our projects would be possible. Our partnerships with Haldimand County and the service clubs in our town are flourishing with projects that came to fruition in 2015, and many more in the works for 2016.
Thank you to all of our sponsors who donated plants, planting material, food, money and gifts. Without your generosity we would not be the successful society that we are today. If I’ve missed anyone I’d like to extend a huge thank you to you too.
On behalf of the executive and board of directors for the Dunnville Horticultural Society, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
See you all in January. Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 21, 2016 here at the Optimist Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Happy Gardening!
Sue Mazi, DHS Corresponding Secretary.
See you all in January. Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 21, 2016 here at the Optimist Hall at 7:00 p.m.