Oct. 2013 It’s now officially fall, but as I’m typing this it’s hot outside.  I guess the summer weather isn’t quite ready to go away, which is fine because I’d like it to stick around….maybe until May.  But I know that’s not going to happen so we need to start preparing for fall cleanup.

The Trillium awards were presented at the August general meeting. What a great night that turned out to be. We had a record number of people come to the meeting.     There were 74 members and guests in attendance.     I would like to extend a huge thank you to Councillor Lorne Boyko for presenting the awards to our winners. This is a very important event for the DHS and it’s so nice to have him take part.

Pazzo’s Pizza kindly donated the pizza and as usual Maura Cooper and her helpers worked their charm in the kitchen. The cake was deliciously awesome! It was beautiful, with trilliums made out of icing in the corners which, by the way, were very tasty. Trillium award winners were given a bouquet of roses from Lindy’s Flowers when they were presented their award. Photos of the winning properties were framed and are now displayed at the Optimist Hall and will remain there until next year’s award ceremony.     For photos of the cake and the meeting visit our website.

A bus trip to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto has been arranged. The date is Tuesday November 5^th.    Tickets are $45 for members and $55 for non-members.    There will be fun and prizes on the bus both ways, with the bus leaving the condo parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and returning to Dunnville at approximately 6:30 p.m. Events at the Royal on November 5^th include a Royal Horse Show free performance, President’s Choice Animal Theatre, Market Lamb Show, Royal Poultry, Waterfowl and Pigeon Show, plus agricultural competitions. There’s something for everyone, and the shopping there is unbelievable.       You can find more information about the Royal Winter Fair and the daily schedules by going to their website:     www.royalfair.org.     The fair runs from November 1 to the 10^th at Exhibition Place. The website has a full list of events if you can’t go with us and would like to go on your own.     Please see Vice President Debbie Thomas for tickets.

The DHS’s Annual Flowerbed Cleanup takes place on Saturday, October 19^th. We need as many people as possible to help clean out the annuals from all the town beds. We meet at 9 a.m. at the parking lot by the bridge. Volunteers are needed and greatly appreciated. Removing the annuals and cleaning up the beds is just as important as the spring planting and we can’t do it without your help.

There is going to be a Kornhusk Doll workshop given by Krista Barlow. Her demonstration at the August meeting was fascinating.  The workshop will be held at the home of member Brenda Pittaway on November 2^nd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a rare opportunity to learn this art form so please contact your VP Debbie Thomas if you would like to attend.

I hope you’re planning to enter some photographs in our annual photography contest at the November general meeting. Categories are Spring, Winter, Summer and Fall. Members can enter one photograph in each category and the subject must be horticulture.

Kids and animals can be in the photos but mustn’t be the focal point. Each photo must be 4 x 6 inches. See webmaster and director Ian Steel if you have any questions about entering your pictures. Don’t be shy…you don’t have to be an expert and the prizes make it worthwhile. This meeting is also our AGM (annual general meeting) where we read the minutes from November 2012’s AGM and the treasurer’s report for the fiscal year. Elections and installations will also be taking place. If you are interested in becoming a member of the board of directors please contact any one of the DHS directors or executive by this month’s general meeting. We can always use fresh minds and faces to help out with the month to month planning and organizing of the DHS. The November meeting is also our Christmas potluck and this year we’ll be having a penny sale with lots of great items up for grabs.     Don’t miss it!

We also need volunteers from our membership to help out with kitchen duties each month. We need at least 3 volunteers to make some goodies and help with the tea and coffee.     Our directors and executive are so busy doing other things to organize and run the meeting that we need to turn to you for help. Please see Maura Cooper to sign up. There are 8 meetings a year that need to be tended to and I know everyone looks forward to the goodies that are offered up each month.

Hamilton will be having its annual Mum show held October 25th thru November 3rd, 2013 at the Gage Park Greenhouse & Tropical House.     The event has grown and boasts having over 75,000 blooms on display.     There is a plant sale on the last Saturday. Please see “Upcoming Events” on our website, or call 905-546-CITY (2489) or visit their website at www.hamiltonmumshow.com.  I know I’m going this year!

Garden tip of the month: Out with the old–in with the new. Bedding plants need to be removed as soon as they finish flowering and this is the perfect time to plant tulip bulbs. Rake and clean up as much as possible and cut back your irises if you haven’t already.  The less you leave behind in the fall the healthier your garden will be in the spring.

See you at the next meeting!
 

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