DHS Program Night October 17/19 Minutes by Ellen Guenther
Arriving Early birds received gift bags left over from the Fall forum. ☺
Kim C welcomed everyone . Deb Z and Debbie T are attending the Haldimand County Recognition night tonight. DHS is nominated in the category of Community Project under $10,00 for the revitalization of the Floral Clock, and the Heritage award for the Heritage tree in Thompson Creek. Our youth volunteer – Shawnasy Thomas is up for youth volunteer. Good luck for these awards.
Kim also encouraged everyone to go out and see the Floral Clock if they have not already seen it.
A DHS bursary ($500) was given to Kelly Ruigrok at the DSS Commencement ceremony on Oct 11.
The District 9 Fall forum was held Sept 27. The hall looked stunning ! Thanks Marilyn,…and all the volunteers. Also thanks to all that donated baked goods, assisted with set-up/take down, and members that attended. Debbie Thomas received the District 9 service award.
Congratulations to all involved in the Thompson Creek project. A very successful Grand Opening was held Sept 25. 600-800 school children and many members of the public walked the site. Thompson Creek Elementary, Dunnville Christian School and Dunnville High School competed and won a 3-way tie for the School challenge- each school will have a Carolinian tree planted on their school grounds. A big shout out to Debbie Thomas and Dan McKay who co-chaired the project. Also thanks to Richard Egger for driving the people mover provided by Egger truck and Machine.
DHS annual flower bed clean up is this Saturday (Oct19) starting at 9 AM. Please meet at the bridge parking lot. We will be pulling all the annuals. Mike Lessard from Jeff’s Outdoor will be on hand again this year with his large landscape trailer to load and take away all plant material. Dress for the weather, wear gloves and bring any appropriate tools if you have any. The more volunteers the better – usually takes 2 hours .
Also on Saturday- Linda Maggio has offered Siberian Iris’s from her garden- If you would like some, see Kim for her phone number.
DHS Board elections for 2020 are next month. Please consider joining the board! Ask current board members if you have any questions about what is involved.
Next month is our Pot Luck – AGM meeting and election. Arrive early 6 pm. Bring your own serving dishes and cutlery for the food – Plates and cutlery for eating will be provided by the hall. Photo Contest- 4X6 photos , Categories- 4 seasons, 1 entry per person per category. Note**** Horticultural Theme please –no birds/animals etc. Remember to bring food for the Food Drive, and cash for the Penny Sale! There will also be Member Length of Service Awards
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Any ideas for a speaker- call Deb Z. Our scheduled speaker could not attend. Refreshment volunteers for January- Jennie Elgersma, Martha Glaw, Anna O’Brian, Ray MacLean. Kim was on high alert during the meeting because her daughter is in labor for Kims 2nd grandchild – congratulations!
Refreshment break
Kim welcomed everyone to help themselves to the wonderful refreshments. The winners of the Pumpkin Carving contest was announced- only two entries this year: Marilyn Stavinga – Best Carved Pumpkin, Alicia Stavinga – Best Decorated Pumpkin.
Our Speaker : Raj Gill – Great Lakes program director of “Canadian Freshwater Alliance”
A national initiative that works with community groups to help facilitate communication/fundraising and help amplify local voices . At the end of her presentation, asign up sheet was provided by the speaker for the “Lake Erie Newsletter”. Her Website : freshwateralliance.ca
Marilyn and Alicia donated their decorated pumpkins and our speaker Raj chose the winners: Tina Jansson and Josie Wagner.
Kim wished everyone a wonderful evening and passed the mic to Betty to announce Ways and Means winners.