Ontario Horticultural Association, Annual Report, 1979

Ontario Horticultural Association, Annual Report, 1979

DISTRICT 2

Director: Mr. Maurice D. Marshall

1979 was a good year for District No.2, the membership in­creased by 128, my thanks go to all societies who helped to achieve this. I hope that 1980 will continue to show a further in­crease in membership. The Youth work resulted in an increase in the junior membership. All societies have been asked to en­courage the juniors in 1980. To all societies who have junior pro­grams, I would like to say congratulations and keep up the good work; I look forward to a bigger and equally good competition for the juniors in 1980. Special thanks to Mrs. Anstace Esmonde-White (well known for her T.V. gardening program) and Mrs. Mary McGrogan, for their help and dedication to the youth and juniors in our District. Judging of the garden competi­tion for the juniors in the District once again indicated that some very excellent gardens were entered and a very high standard set by the winners; my thanks to all who have devoted so much of their time to our juniors.

Once again, the District held a very successful 2 day flower and vegetable show on the grounds of the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa, in late August. My thanks to the Department of Agriculture for their wonderful co-operation in staging this show.

At our Annual Meeting held in Pakenham, President Roy and his wife Babs Carr were present, and made the presentation of the District Award Plaque to Mrs. Betty Aspinall from Deep River for her services to the District.

A special presentation was made to the past District Director Clarence Brown, for his devoted services to the District during his tenure of office.

A special presentation was made on behalf of the OHA to Mrs. Gillies of Arnprior on her 90th Birthday; Mrs. Gillies is a past President of the O.H.A.

My thanks to the Royal Botanical Gardens Outreach Program, Hamilton, for providing Mrs. Betty Peebles as a speaker on decorative arrangements, for a 3 week judging course held in Ot­tawa and Kemptville in June, which proved to be a great success. Also to Mr. Ray Halward, with the R.B.G. van "Therapy through Horticulture" for his visit through the District. I hope we can have more of these visits in 1980.

The O.H.A. Convention held in London in June was attended by 18 delegates; all agreed that it was a good Convention and look forward to 1980 in Thunder Bay.

The District held 53 shows, 47 competitions, 127 meetings, 88 public plantings, and planted 1441 Bulbs, plants, and other An­nuals, during the year; it was a very good year, my congratulations to all the societies. My thanks to all the officers who helped me in 1979, and I welcome all the new officers for 1980.

In closing I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to Russell Gomme, for providing us with the

excellent visit of Mr. John Clayton, from the RHS, WisleyGardens, in England. His visit and talk was enjoyed by all.

ALMONTE:

An interesting program for both seniors and juniors helped to maintain the membership. 500 Bulbs were planted at the Cenotaph, with annuals planted at the Town Hall, Post Office, and 6 planters along the river bank. 4 Mini Flower and Vegetable shows with the regular meetings were held, as well as the annual show. The juniors were very active and took part in the garden competitions. One junior member has won the 1st prize for the se­cond year in the DistrictJuniorGarden competition. The RBG Outreach Program and workshop, as well as the workshop and lectures sponsored by the Eastern Ontario Library Association, were enjoyed by all.

BEACHBURG:

The membership has increased from 30 to 42. The society had a very active year, with 6 regular meetings, and Spring and Fall public plantings. The society celebrated its 20th. Anniversary in March.

A Float was entered in the parade at the Fair. Visited the Lily Show in Hamilton, and a tour of the RBG. 5 members went to Ot­tawa to hear Mr. John Clayton of RHSGardens at Wisley, England.

CITY VIEW-NEPEAN:

1979 was a full and interesting one for the 248 members. The junior program with 30 members was a great success again this year.

The year book was very well received. The News Letters kept all informed of the monthly happenings. Community involve­ment consisted of flower arranging for residents of Extendicare Home; planting and maintaining the CentennialGarden; teaching workshop of decorative arrangements; planting hanging baskets for the Library. Bursaries and a scholarship were presented to the Highland ParkHigh School, and AlgonquinCollege students of Horticulture. Purchased equipment for the retarded adults hor­ticulture program at Silver Springs Farm. Sale of plant material and Mushroom compost for resale was very well attended. The society's entry in the decorative section of the Central Canada Ex­hibition 'won first prize, and the vegetable display second. Two tours were arranged and well received. Five Shows and an ex­panded garden competition helped to make it a very busy year.

DEEPRIVER:

The society paid for the plants for the beds in Mountain View Cres. In co-operation with the hospital board and local municipalities, the society continued the landscaping of the new hospital grounds with trees and flower beds. The society provided 50 hanging baskets and 23 Box Planters of flowers in the downtown core. Help was given to the Senior Citizens for their outdoor garden. The excellent garden tool service to its 795 members was maintained. Two flower shows for both adults and juniors were held. Conducting a program for the 45 junior members. Conducting soil tests and gardening hints for local groups. The sale of fertilizer, seed potatoes and the loan of tools to members once again proved very successful. The junior members also participated heavily in the shows.

EGANVILLE:

The membership increased by 13. There were no flower shows held. Public planting consisted of 3 flower beds and 22 planters. The Cubs helped to plant and maintain the flower bed at the Library. 100 Bulbs were planted and placed around the village. There were 4 competitions, and 9 meetings. The society paid for 2 new picnic tables for the RiversidePark.

GLOUCESTER TOWNSIDP:

The society held 2 Flower Shows. The Spring Show had 70 en­tries and was a great success. The Strawberry Social at the Fall Flower and Vegetable Show again proved a success with 283 en­tries. Two competitions were held, a Flower Garden competition and a VegetableGarden competition.

The society has again exhibited at the Central Canada Exhibi­tion. Donations of indoor gardening materials to the Carleton Lodge for Senior Citizens, as well as 2 bouquets each month, are made.

KANATA MARCH:

The membership increased by 110/0, and is now 127.

There were 9 public plantings. At TomThomsonPark, 6 beds were planted, each 40ft x 10ft, 4 beds were planted with annuals, and 2 with perennials. Plants were also planted at "Peoples Place" at the Arena, and Kanata and Glen Cairn Libraries. There were 2 flower shows and 3 competitions, 9 open meetings. A Garden tour proved very successful. A Bursary was given to a stu­dent at Highland ParkHigh School for horticulture. The society also supports the Silver Springs Farm for the mentally retarded children and adults. The Kanata society has started a Market Garden, which now has 19 vendors, and is proving a great success with all the membership.

KEMPTVILLE:

Public Planting was carried out in 6 locations, the Library, Post Office, Town Hall, Oxford Mills, Public School, and Memorial Park. Support was once again given to the Arbor Day program at 5 locations, the society providing trees. A Bus trip to the RBGGardens at Hamilton was arranged. Hosted the RBG Outreach, 3 weeks basic flower arranging course for the District, and the RBG Horticulture van (Mr. Ray Halward in attendance) for the area. Presented books on horticulture to local schools and public libraries. Assisted a local girl at Niagara School of Hor­ticulture. Hosted a visit from the Manotick Society. 3 Flower Shows and 5 Competitions were held.

The junior group has 104 members, and had a very good year, thanks to a very active junior committee. They held 2 meetings, have an associate member on the executive. There were 84 separate gardens entered in the garden competition. 7 Area schools were visited, a film on gardening was shown, questions answered on the society's activities, and proper gardening techni­ques were taught. Juniors competed in Artwork, photographic competition and contributed to the success of the 3 major shows, and has given help to other societies in the district. Some excellent junior gardens being judged in the District No.2, Garden Competition. My congratulations to Mr. Hugh Stewart for his leadership.

MANOTICK:

The membership increased by 50% and is now 65 members.

The public planting programme was expanded to include flower beds at three churches and other public properties, and hanging flower baskets at two locations. A plant and Bake sale and Flea market was very successful in providing funds for the public planting. Active support was given to community events, excellent programmes were provided on horticultural subjects and flower shows were held at seven meetings. The society conducted a Landscaping competition for local homes, approx. 100 were judged. A bulletin was issued each month to all members. The junior programme has been suspended temporarily until a new leader can take over.

OTTAWA:

7 Flower Shows, 11 regular meetings and 2 competitions were held. The society had 5 Reps at the annual convention. There were 3 visits; to Fines Greenhouses in Ottawa, Ben Veldhuis Greenhouses in Dundas, and LongwoodGardens in the USA, all much enjoyed. There was a donation of a soil mixer and some fruit sprayers to the Silver Spring Farm for the mentally retarded juniors and seniors.

The Tulip Show was held in conjunction with the Ottawa Festival of Spring in the Government Conference Centre, which proved very popular with the public. The society hosted the District Annual 2 day Fall Flower and Vegetable Show at the Cen­tral Experimental Farm Main Lawns. The show was well received by the public and all societies. A garden competition was again held, over 100 gardens of merit were visited and judged at 3 dif­ferent times, and Trillium awards were made. The society hosted the RBG Outreach Program on 2 visits; one in June, a 3 weeks course, the basic flower arranging and judging course by Mrs. Betty Peebles, and a visit by Mr. Ray Halward and the RBG van on horticulture. Both visits were excellent. The society hosted the visit of Mr. John Clayton, Director of the RHSGardens in Wisley, England. The hall was packed with over 230 persons pre­sent. The visit and lecture was very well received.

There is a very active Indoor Gardeners Group within the society, they meet each month with 80 to 100 members attending. They also hold one Flower Show. They are doing an excellent job help­ing and advising on indoor plant care to the public.

PAKENHAM:

The membership increased by 33% and is now 157 members.

Public Planting consisted of bedding plants in window boxes, planters and flower beds at 4 locations, Township Office, Com­munity Centre Arena, Fire Hall, and the Bank. There were 11 open meetings and 4 flower shows held in February, Spring, Sum­mer, and August, they were all very good with 796 entries in all. In addition the society held a plant auction in the spring, a bake sale and a field trip in July to see the wild flowers.

There were 19 Juniors who were active helping in the planting of the beds; they assisted at the flower shows

and the plant auction, they entered the Garden Competition as well as the District Junior Garden Competition. The society hosted the District Annual Meeting in May 79, it was very well run and organized. Presi­dent Roy and his wife Babs Carr, honoured us with their presence. My congratulations to all who helped to make it the suc­cess it turned out to be.

PEMBROKE:

The society had a very good and productive year. There were 9 Flower Shows with 1213 entries, 9 Open meetings, 10 Board meetings.

There were 7 society reps at the District meeting and 5 at the Annual Convention. Planting was undertaken at 17 locations, us­ing 2400 plants. There were 2 competitions, the photographic had 70 entries. The Christmas arrangements were very well received. 3 Outings were arranged, a Bus Tour to International Lily Show at Burlington, to the Mum Show in Ottawa, and to Ottawa in December to see and hear Mr. John Clayton, of the RHS Gardens, at Wisley, England.

The society participated in a charity Bazaar, the selling of flowers and plants and tickets on a Quilt. Representatives at a Steam Show in August, and sponsored a Garden Tour in July. Had a Christmas Bell decoration wired and placed in downtown Pembroke. Held a Fall Fair, and a Christmas Banquet in Nov.

A youth group started, they were given seeds to plant and grow. They were encouraged to assist the seniors at their shows and public plantings in the City. Entered in the Fall Fair, made Christmas decorations, had a demonstration and talk on arrang­ing dried weeds. A Barbeque was held and much enjoyed by all.

PRESCOTT AND DISTRICT:

The membership increased by 39% and is now 122 members.

There were 12 Open meetings, 2 Flower Shows, 2 Competitions, 5 Board meetings. 20 society Reps. attended District meetings. There were 5 Public Plantings; in Centennial park, an­nuals were planted in the borders of seven beds, several large con­tainers, and a bed at the Park entrance. Two barrel planters at ForwardersMuseum; 23 Hanging baskets of geranium, petunias and dracaena, for the light standards along King St. The Spring and Fall Flower Shows had 372 entries. The Poster contest and Year Book Cover contest proved very interesting. A Float was entered in the Spencerville Fair Parade. A Bus tour to Ottawa, the Experimental Farm, Gatineau, and Kemptville Flower show, was well attended. A serious effort has been made to start a junior group, and will be carried on in 1980 if a leader can be found.

STITTSVILLE GOULBOURN:

There were 9 Open meetings, 3 Flower Shows, 3 Competitions, 3 Board meetings. There were 2 Public plantings; bulbs were planted at the Public Library in Stittsville, and the Post Office Bldg. at FringewoodVillagePark. The Spring Flower Show, The Rose Show, and Fall Show had approx. 100 entries. Two Com­petitions, a. Flower arrangements - (Year of the Child) and b. Vegetable arrangement were entered at the Richmond Fall Fair, and both won First Prize. The society visited Mrs. Anstace Esmonde-White's Farm. Sent 2 delegates to the Annual Conven­tion and 2 to the District Annual Meeting.

It is hoped to start a youth group, there were 28 members to whom seeds were given, and 24 JuniorGardens that reached maturity. It is hoped to have a leader for 1980.