Nov. 2012 Well, autumn is surely here.  As I’m typing this it is pouring rain, and most of the leaves are now on the ground. Halloween is a couple of days away and most of the stores have their Christmas decorations up already.  Time simply goes by way too fast.

Looking back on 2012, the Dunnville Horticultural Society has had one of its best years ever.  Our executive and directors have been the most dynamic group ever and will continue to be in 2013. We are sad to see a couple of directors leave us but at the same time we are thrilled to see a couple of new faces.  We have been able to bring a number of undertakings to fruition.  We had a bus trip to Canada Blooms in Toronto, we participated in the Mudcat Parade, we had a great showing at the Home & Garden show, a record-breaking plant sale in May, we awarded 20 Trillium Awards again this year and our guest speakers each month have been great.  We have learned a lot about different things this year, from sweet potatoes to invasive plant and animal species in Ontario.   Last but not least we made a “blooming” great showing with our planting and tending of the town’s flowerbeds.  As always, the planting and maintaining of these beds is the focal point of our association.  Volunteers are the backbone of this organization and are needed to help with planting and weeding.  The majority of this work always seems to fall on the same small group of volunteers and we need more help.  Each year we turn to our members for assistance, and I know our members can bring a vast array of knowledge and skills to the table.  Please plan to help when called upon next spring.  High school students will be able to log their hours to qualify for their mandatory community service.  Remember: many hands make light work.

The pot luck dinner at the October general meeting was a hit.  The food was tasty and plentiful, and our guest speaker, Donna Crooks from Oakridge Garden Centre, talked to our group about putting our gardens to bed for the winter.  She also talked about plants that add pizzazz and colour for the winter. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your wisdom and enthusiasm with us.  We need to remember that our gardens can be enjoyed in all 4 seasons.  Thank you to everyone who brought food and to Julie Jurik for looking after the kitchen for us so that all of the executive and directors could sit and enjoy the meal.

Speaking of all four seasons, our photography contest will be held at the November meeting.  Hopefully you have all handed in your photos.  Christine Edwicker from Christine’s Creative Photography will be our judge.  Good luck to everyone who entered.

The general meeting this month is one week later than usual due to a scheduling conflict at the Optimist Hall.  Mark your calendar:  the date is Thursday, November 22nd.  This will be our Annual  General Meeting since our fiscal year ends October 31st.  We will read the minutes from our last AGM which was February and the Treasurer’s year-end report for 2012.  This will also be our annual Christmas celebration, and I can’t wait to have some of Debbie Thomas’s amazing hot apple cider.  Our guest speaker for the evening will be Elizabeth MacLean and she will be giving a very timely talk:  Interior Christmas Design.  There’ll be a lot going on but it should be a fun night.

We will also have installations of new and returning executive and directors at this meeting.  A representative from OHA’s District 9 will attend to officiate.  2013 promises to be another stellar year for the Dunnville Horticultural Society.

There will be no general meeting in December.  The next time that we will meet will be January 17th, 2013.  So, on behalf of the executive and directors of the DHS, I would like to wish you and yours a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.  See you in 2013.

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