DISTRICT NUMBER TWO REVIEW OF O.H.A. - 1977

DISTRICT DIRECTOR: Clarence M. Brown, Ottawa

A moderate decrease was experienced by several of the larger societies but was somewhat offset by the dramatic increases in many of the smaller groups. Beachburg, smallest in the district went from 25 to 42 members, a climb of 68 per cent. Eganville, hosts the district annual meeting, rose also their membership from 51 to 71 members but in 1977 increased a further 41 per cent to a full 100. Prescott and District, which had increased 39 per cent from 1974 to 1975, managed a similar increase in 1977 when their 1976 membership of 102 increased to 142. Almonte's 15 extra members in '77 meant a jump of slightly more than 20 per cent, while Kanata-March, achieved 20 additional members over their 1976 figure of 102, just under 20 per cent. Manotick added 4 to its list, and Stittsville-Goulbourn (formerly Stittsville) held its own.

The District held a successful 2-day flower and vegetable show on the grounds ofthe Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa in late August. However, plans for a session of the District's judging school had to be cancelled due to inability to arrange speaker(s) for a class on judging decorative arrangements.

Mrs. Anstace Esmonde- White, well known for her gardening chats on CTV's Morning Show introduced a junior garden competition in the District, and contributed towards prize monies. Assisted by the District Director, she judged junior gardens in Pakenham, Kemptville, Kanata-March, City View-Nepean and Manotick. Gardens were judged in 3 classes. Thirteen gardens were awarded prizes, with the junior garden of Robert Beattie, Manotick, and the senior garden of Carolin Quackenbush, Kemptville, being selected as outstanding. All winners were invited to the annual meeting in Kanata in September to receive their prizes.

President Herb Markle and his wife called at the annual meeting, and with the assistance of Past Presidents Harvey Fraser and Mrs. George H. Lemke, presented Mrs. Evelyn Ballantyne of Kanata with the silver trillium award pin through the O.H.A., emblematic of outstanding contribution by a lady member, and District Director Clarence M. Brown with the District Service Award plaque. The District recognized Mrs. H.R. McGrogan, president of GloucesterTownship and typist for the district, with a noral arrangement and a cheque in appreciation of her long and tireless efforts.

The Outreach Programme of the R.B.G., provided speakers for meetings and workshops in the District. They expressed deep gratitude and pleasure for the response they received. The workshop on the preserving of horticultural materials and their use in decorative work was a huge success.

Mrs. George H. Lemke, of the District, was honoured with a second term as president of the O.H.A. Past Presidents' Council.

Several Societies in the Ottawa area provided members to man an exhibit sponsored by the O.H.A. at the Ottawa Winter Fair.

Projects undertaken by societies individually or in conjunction with societies, will appear below in the review of 1977 highlights.

ALMONTE

Bulbs were planted, then annuals in spring, in beds at Cenotaph and GemmillPark. 8 containers at Town Hall and along river bank were planted and tended, while the border at Town Hall was cultivated and trimmed. A new planter was placed and tended beside the Old Historic post office. The church flower bed was rejuvenated. The society held competitions for gardens, also for patio and hanging baskets. Juniors are keen and had many competitions sponsored for them. A special speaker was obtained to instruct them in the rudiments of gardening. 82 junior gardens were judged and the juniors provided almost half the entries in the annual vegetable and flower show.

BEACHBURG

This group planted a bed at township hall and cared for perennial beds in the village. Junior classes were introduced into their show. Members went by bus to the Forestry plantation at Petawawa. Competitions were held for Valentine and Christmas arrangements.

CITY VIEW-NEPEAN

Members planted bulbs in their Centennial garden, with annuals for summer. Three garden competitions were held, including juniors'. A booth was named at the Mayfest, another at Home Expo. Plants and flowers were donated to Extendicare and to Civic and QueenswayHospitals. Horticultural materials were purchased for resale to members, and bedding plants and Christmas plant material were provided to Silver Springs Farm, a project for mentally retarded young people. In fall, crocus corms were presented to juniors for forcing and for display.

DEEPRIVER

Provided and filled 60 containers for the business district, to be maintained by the town gardener. In co-operation with the hospital board and local muncipalities, they supplied volunteers to plant and maintain flower beds at hospital. They have junior plots now located on the same grounds. Juniors also participate heavily in their shows. The society arranges for garden plots for its adult members, as well as fertilizer, seed potatoes and garden tools.

Juniors are charged a small membership fee which entitles them to free seeds, cuttings, bulbs and participation in show classes. A hunt was conducted in a local park to identify trees and shrubs.

EGANVILLE

This group appears determined to achieve higher goals. Besides a generous increase in membership, they purchased 10 new planters for placement about Eganville. Annuals, perennials and shrubs were planted on hill in centre of village, with two trees being replaced at CommunitySwimmingBeach. They also purchased plants for beds at MunicipalBuilding, these being planted and tended by the Cubs. Grade I students were provided each with a small tree to plant, and 4 interesting nature competitions were arranged for students of local separate and public schools. 3 competitions were held for adult members.

GLOUCESTERTOWNSHIP

A fall flower and vegetable show is an annual event here, but 1977 was their first spring flower show - it proved worthwhile! During summer, both flower and vegetable gardens were judged, and poster competition was open to juniors. Members held strawberry social, and society entries were placed in Gloucester Fair and Central Canada Exhibition. Members exchanged plant materials at swap night. They provided soil and utensils for indoor gardening at Carleton Lodge, a home for the aged, with fresh bouquets being provided to Lodge during summer months. Juniors were not organized, but were given a pool party, and entered numerous classes in the fall show.

KANATA-MARCH

Youngest society in District 2 planted 4 annual beds and 2 of perennials in Tom Thomson park. A garden competition of juniors was held, as well as a flower-arranging demonstration for senior citizens and 2 sessions on house plants for a post-psychiatric group. Garden equipment for loan was displayed at the mayfair and resulted in several new members. Generous donations in cash were given to local Arena Extension Fund, as the society hopes to meet here in future, and to extension fund of the RoyalBotanical Gardens, as well as their usual donation towards a bursary in horticulture for a deserving student of Highland ParkSchool. Members enjoyed a family outing to Ragged Chute, as well as garden tour of 8 local gardens. A special service was held to dedicate the bronze sundial and memorial plaque placed in the park in memory of Dr. J.H. Ballantyne, one of the founding members.

KEMPTVILLE

Annuals, evergreens, daffodils and a mountain ash were planted at post office, annuals in beds and geraniums in containers at local library, annuals at The Pines (Senior Citizen's Residence), geraniums at Centennial park and at the triangle. Summer com­petitions were judged for flower gardens, vegetable gardens and window boxes. Trillium awards were presented to outstanding gardens in each half of town. Eight members participated in photographic competition. A booth was manned, at Hospital Heyday. A float was entered in town's 120th birthday parade, with juniors aiding. Following parade, they were entertained at swim party and barbecue. 38 adult members enjoyed bus tour of local Heritage homes and museum. Arbor Day was held at SouthGowerSchool, with children assisting in tree planting. The society provided trees and the school children tree seedlings for a windbreak. During the season 70 junior gardens and 71 junior essays were judged.

MANOTICK

Flowers were planted at Anglican church where society meets. Annuals were purchased for St. Leonard's school, and flowers and plants donated to Kiwanis Rodeo. Flower shows consisted of a few classes at 6 regular meetings. Members manning booth at Kiwanis Rodeo. A tour of members' gardens was held. One horticulture graduate gave talks on plant care at several meetings and another conducted a course in house plant growing at C.N.I.B. Gro-lite bulbs were donated to Carleton Lodge Home. The Sprouts (juniors) were given a good programme in many horticulturally­related crafts, in addition to nature hikes, including wild flower identification, and a visit to a local taxidermist.

OTTAWA

About 500 annuals and a similar number of spring-blooming bulbs were planted at Bronson Home and Glebe Centre, at Nicholas youth hostel and C. N.I .B. Bus trips were held to Toronto Spring Garden Show and to Montreal Botanic Gardens. There is no junior group, but juniors were encouraged to participate in school classes at annual shows. The society held a photography competition and awarded prizes, certificates, memberships, etc., to best home grounds in a designated postal zone of the city, as viewed from the street. Ladies of the society made a number of floral and dried arrangements to enhance the O.H.A. exhibit at Ottawa Winter Fair.

PAKENHAM

Pakenham's members planted flower beds at public school, fire hall, in front of Community Centre, and boxes at township office and bank. They donated potted Easter lilies and spring bulbs to local churches. In addition to junior gardens being judged, the juniors enjoyed a com roast, made pickles and assisted at plant auction.

PEMBROKE

Society members planted 4 beds of geraniums and annuals at Senior Citizens' apartments and supervised high school students as they planted 2500 annuals in 5 beds in PansyPatchPark and 10 other locations. Two swap nights were held, in addition to photographic and home grounds competitions. The society participated in Charity Bazaar Fair and at Steam Show. A bus trip was sponsored to Plant Show.

PRESCOTT AND DISTRICT

Members held 3 garden tours and bus tours. They supplied flowers to decorate for an Historical Society show, and planted 23 hanging baskets on the town's main street. Juniors planted 2 beds at elementary schools and at fire hall. The Hoe 'n' Hum Juniors participated in society's shows, took field trips, made posters and valentines and had instruction in planting and potting. They met monthly.

STITISVILLE-GOULBURN

Formerly Stittsville, was renamed to include the municipality of Goulbourn Township, as several members live in Richmond and other points outside Stittsville. Members planted marigolds at local library, had a photographic competition, judged junior gardeners, as well as judging landscaped homes in the village. Juniors were provided with seeds, with 20 gardens reaching maturity. They also made a weed collection.