Ontario Horticultural Association, Annual Report, 1995-1996
District 2
District Director: Donna Christie
The District of Ontario encompassing communities throughout the Ottawa Valley holds in its hands a bouquet of 19 societies, each different from the other, each important, each vital to the composition... the landscape that makes this part of Ontario a truly special, beautiful place to call "home".
As each home is enhanced by horticulture, so is each community. The communities combine under the umbrella of the District and cohesion is fostered by connection at 4 main District events: a Spring and Fall Advisory Meeting, a Flower and Vegetable Show and an Annual General Meeting, as well as by means of several District Newsletters and participation in major events within the region. Our Fall and Spring Meetings have been held in a central location in Almonte and the remaining two events perambulate throughout the District.
In 1995 the A.G.M. was hosted by Gloucester Society in conjunction with the celebration of their 70th Anniversary at the Fred Barrett Arena in Leitrim in April. Delegates came from every society and they were treated to a warm welcome, an informative meeting, greetings from the President of the O.H.A. (Mrs. Metje Mabee) and a guest speaker, Mr. Dan Brunton, who's ecological overview of the area's history and uniqueness earned him a standing ovation'
The Annual District 2 Ottawa Valley Flower and Vegetable Show was hosted by the Manotick Society. It was well-organized and well advertised and estimates place attendance at the 1000 mark' Held in the Manotick Arena on August 26, 15 societies contributed to the 670 entries in 154 classes.
Each society within the District has some common bonds and some special features that make them each alike, yet unique. Membership in a Society is a sure means by which to learn and share, to improve our gardens and our communities and to meet some of the nicest people in "the valley".
ALMONTE & DISTRICT
SOCIETY NAME:ALMONTE & DISTRICT
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1921
FLORAL EMBLEM:Madonna Lily
An important part of their community, the members of the Almonte Society planted and maintained beds at the Cenotaph, Perth St. and PeacePark. Members served on the Town Council Beautification Committee and participated in a town clean-up day in spring. Flower, vegetable and design sections were sponsored at the local fair and an annual bursary was established to go to an Almonte and DistrictHigh School student who will be pursuing horticultural or agricultural studies at a higher level of education.
A six week course on floral design was run by two member judges, a Super- Tufa container workshop was held, and the club had a fund-raising plant sale. There was a perennial plant swap night in September and pot luck dinner and awards night in November. Almonte won the Society Vegetable Display at the District Flower and Vegetable Show.
The youth members attended 8 monthly meetings, held their own exhibition and planted their own gardens. As a group, they planted annuals in front of the Post Office, were delighted, and received lots of publicity. Seeds
from the Tithonia plants were given away in the fall.
BEACHBURG
SOCIETY NAME:BEACHBURG
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1959
FLORAL EMBLEM:Rose
A fund was initiated this year for tree plantings in memoriam to deceased Charter Members. This first tree will be planted in memory of the loss, in 1995, of charter member Joseph Beach. The beds at the Lion's Club Hall continue to be planted and maintained by the Beachburg Society and spring and fall plant sales were held as fund-raisers in addition to the flower show teas. An awards night banquet was enjoyed by all.
Pumpkin and marigold seeds were given to 11 participating elementary school children for a gardening project. The Beachburg Society is busy planning an preparing to co-host the upcoming District Flower and Vegetable Show with the Deep River Society to be held at the Beachburg Arena on August 10, 1996.
CARLETON PLACE
SOCIETY NAME:CARLETON PLACE
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1989
FLORAL EMBLEM:Bearded Iris
The lovely authentic Victorian garden at the VictoriaSchoolMuseum is an on-going project of the society who, this year, dedicated an arbour and bench in honour of their late Past President, Mr. John Scullion. The vegetables grown in this community garden by the Junior Gardeners were donated to the Lanark County Food Bank. The Juniors also planted annual beds at St. James Park. Society members also did a small bed at the entrance to the Carleton Place Public Library and assisted in planning and planting beds at the Carleton Place Police Station.A fund-raising special speaker night was held featuring
Michael Runtz and a plant sale was held in the spring.
DEEPRIVER
SOCIETY NAME:DEEPRIVER
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1947
FLORAL EMBLEM:Aquilegia
Integral to the community, the Deep River Society has a large and active Junior Gardener Program which held a May Plant and Bake Sale and a flower show in August. Monthly meetings are held at all three elementary schools and there was a contest for the cover of the adult society Yearbook. . Bulb planting was conducted at the High School and beds were planted at each I school and at the Deep River Legion. A tree was planted at each school as part of Earth/Arbor Day and there was a display at the Town Hall of a Picture Contest (grades 1 - 4): "My Favourite Tree" and a Poster Contest (grades 5 - 6):"Conservation and Preservation". An awards party was enjoyed by all in September.
In celebration of their 50th Anniversary the Society included the Stella d'Oro daylily as an Anniversary Flower in their annual bulk perennial sale. A : home grounds competition "Welcome to Deep River" helped show pride in their anniversary and on July 1st they participated in the planting of gold marigolds at The Town Hall.
Other major accomplishments include the annual successful door-todoor canvass, the tool loan service (which includes 100 tools and 75 volunteer; custodians), the start-up ofa Master Gardeners Group, and the development of a 3 year plan for major renovations of the 14 beds located at the Deep RiverDistrictHospital gardens. Therapeutic gardening with seniors takes place at St. Mary's Home and at the North RenfTew Long Term Care Centre 3 gardens are maintained and planted with annuals to augment the perennials, One garden is in a wandering path area where residents may walk and have small 1 plantings such as tomato plants.
Highly visible in the town are the extensive efforts of the Deep River Horticulturalists. They supply the downtown area with 50 hanging baskets, and plant and maintain the 2 welcome sign areas. Mountain View Crescent gardens are planted and maintained and 20 trees were planted on vacant land in GrousePark. The society is now busy planning and preparing to co-host, along with Beachburg Society, the upcoming Annual District 2 Flower and Vegetable Show for August 10th, 1996 at the Beachburg Arena.
EGANVILLE
SOCIETY NAME:EGANVILLE
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1928
FLORAL EMBLEM:Daisy
The town of Eganville was a blaze of colour this summer with the 43 flower boxes that the society planted and looked after The flower beds on ( Park Hill were upgraded with good soil and fertilized as well as was the 1 Gazebo Planter in Centennial Park which was planted with beautiful non-stop' flowering Begonias. Twelve shrubs, a Mountain Ash and a Blue Spruce were added to CentennialPark.
A $50.00 student award was presented to a Grade 11 student at Opeongo I High School and Grade 3 students at the 2 elementary schools in Eganville were given Norway Spruce seeds to plant after being given a demonstration on Planting.
Fund-raising projects included a Bazaar and Plant sale in May, a Harvest Auction in October, a Craft Sale at the Christmas Meeting in November and plant sales at meetings
The Eganville Society was organized on April 18, 1955. Forty years later on April 24, 1995 the society held a special Anniversary celebration to which the District Director, Donna Christie, was invited as a special guest. Plaques, Horticultural Service Certificates and other Memorabilia Tom members were proudly displayed and many past board members attended to celebrate this milestone in the society's history.
GLOUCESTER
SOCIETY NAME: GLOUCESTER
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1925
FLORAL EMBLEM: Bearded Blue Iris
Celebrating 70 years of existence as a Horticultural Society, Gloucester produced a magnificent yearbook with a computer-generated colour graphic of the club's floral emblem. An Anniversary tea was held in June and a commemorative table cloth adorned with the names of members was 'I created to grace the head table at meetings henceforth. Gloucester shared their Anniversary with fellow horticulturalists throughout the district by hosting the Ottawa Valley District 2 Annual General Meeting in April at the Fred Barrett Arena in Leitrim Their hospitality was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance. O.H.A President Metje Mabee was the special guest and guest speaker Dan Brunton received a standing ovation for his excellent presentation.
The society continued with its tradition of supplying flowers to shutins and for City Hall functions and held a plant auction in May, a bulk mum order, a photographic and garden competition and several dessert socials. The November potluck dinner and awards night was a fun and fitting wrap-up to a busy and successful Anniversary year.
KANATA MARCH
SOCIETY NAME:KANATA MARCH
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1970
FLORAL EMBLEM: Oenothera (Sundrop)
Kanata Society is prominent in the community, holding flower shows and plant sales at public venues in the city It participates in Mayfair each year and gives seedlings to the youth of the city at this event. The annual Mayfest and the garage sale serve as tried-and-true fundraisers and the club continues to present a $300.00 Bursary to a graduate of a secondary school who intends to pursue a career in a horticulturally related field.
The MollyWilsonMemorialGarden was established by the Kanata March Horticultural Society in 1985 and has been maintained since that time. KMHS is excited about plans to construct a 24' diameter octagonal gazebo adjacent to the MollyWilsonMemorialGarden. It is intended that a commemorative rose garden will surround the gazebo. Also, numerous trees will be planted in the garden park The project has just been approved from the Mayor's Office. It is intended that the costs will be born by Kanata's Business Community. Park plantings at ThornThompsonPark are also maintained and several dozen perennial plants were planted and the beds were refurbished.
KEMPTVILLE
SOCIETY NAME:KEMPTVILLE
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1952
FLORAL EMBLEM:Gladiola
Kemptville Society participated in the local "Hey Day" celebration and conducted a fund-raising plant sale at the event. Another May plant sale was also held. Their flower beds and barrels lent visibility of the society to the communities of both Kemptville and Oxford Mills. Plantings were done by society members at the Post Office, Beckers, The Truck Centre, The Rock and the Library. Old trees at the library were disposed of and new ones were planted. Little Globe Cedars were planted at CurriePark and they will be enhanced in the spring with red and white petunias to commemorate Canada Day. A Hawthorn tree was planted at the Oxford Mills Library in memory of a deceased member. Kemptville assisted at the District Flower and Vegetable Show held in Manotick by hosting the Judges and Workers Luncheon and by providing a steward to one of the judges.
The Junior Gardeners participated in a garden competition at the society level and also at the District Level. One junior won a first and two came second in their respective categories at the District Level Competition. Another Youth Project was an Art Competition held In April for all grades at 4 schools.
Some members helped Senior Citizens at Bayfield Manor to plant flowers. The popular October Smorgasbord was enjoyed by many and awards were presented at this event. Plans are underway to produce an excellent yearbook, to expand the CurriePark plantings and to help with the Canada Day celebrations by decorating with flowers for the various presentations on the stage (i.e. fashion show...)
MADAWASKAVALLEY
SOCIETY NAME:MADAWASKAVALLEY
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1989
FLORAL EMBLEM:Lily of the Valley
The flower beds at Barry's Bay Municipal Offices and at the St. Francis Memorial Hospital attest to the active role this society plays in its community. The Hospital project began in 1994. The work consisted of soliciting plants (over 100 perennials were eventually donated), planning their placement, planting and mulching them. Thanks to good soil preparation, lots of mushroomcompost, and excellent care by hospital staff, the plantings flourished giving i the hospital an attractive and inviting appearance.
The society provided perennials and encouragement to the grade 3/4 class of GeorgeVanierCatholicSchool in Combermere for the creation of a flower bed to grace the main entrance of the school.
Activities also included a May Plant, Yard and Bake Sale, a Strawberry Social, a Fall Plant Auction and a Student Bursary Tea at the FlowerShow The 5th Anniversary Garden Party was such a hit that the club is planning to make it an annual event.
MANOTICK
SOCIETY NAME: MANOTICK
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1930
FLORAL EMBLEM: Stella D'Oro Day lily
Manotick played gracious host to our Ottawa Valley District 2 Annual \ Flower and Vegetable Show at the Manotick Arena on August 26, 1995. The show was well organized and well advertised and it is estimated that 1000 people visited the fragrant and flower-filled arena.
This society initiated and promoted the "Backyard Wildlife Habitat"Programme which was profiled in the November, 1995 O.H.A. Newsletter. Assistance was lent to "Trees for Rideau" and "Trees for Manotick" projects and public plantings of beds, baskets and urns was completed and maintained. Theclub conducted a collection of postage stamps for support of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and they continued to maintain the Pioneer Herb Garden at the old Mill Seedlings were provided to Youth for a Sunflower Competition. The society was proud to nominate highly supportive, hard working, long standing member: Past District Director Mrs. Mary Harris who won the1995 District Service Plaque.
NEPEAN
SOCIETY NAME:NEPEAN
DATE OF INCEPTION:1957
FLORAL EMBLEM: Potentilla Reptans
The gardens at Telsa House and the flower and vegetable gardens at Reesor House are the result of the efforts of this society. Further civic beautification is encouraged by means of a Commercial Gardens Competition sponsored by the Nepean Society. Plantings were also done at the Nepean LawnBowls.
Apart from their regular meetings, the Junior Gardeners took on the community project of supplying the NepeanMuseum with pretty box planters.The juniors have their gardens judged, participate in shows, and are included as part of the adult society's awards night and banquet.
The society conducts a Spring Plant Auction, a Fall Plant Sale and a November Bazaar. It was the Nepean Society who hosted this year's Annual Judge's Update, a day-long event that was described by the judges as a "Class Act' .
OTTAWA
SOCIETY NAME:OTTAWA
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1892
FLORAL EMBLEM: Staghorn Sumac
The Somerset Street Planting Project is an on-going project with the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton to field test plant material ground " covers to green urban street-scapes with low maintenance, high-tolerant plant 1 material This year marked their first entry on the Internet through Ottawa Freenet. The Ottawa Society is deserving of much appreciation for the verysuccessful Plant Sale which they held for the District in conjunction with the District Flower and Vegetable Show which was hosted by the Manotick Society.
The Annual Christmas Awards Banquet witnessed the presentation ofthree honourary Life Memberships and the return of two trophies (one from 1917). The donor attended to give the history of the trophies. Improvements were made to the society Newsletter which is now produced in an easily readable computerized format. After much discussion with competitors and show convenors, the classes of the six annual shows were revised and updated to better reflect the times.
Funds were raised via a Plant Auction and a sale of mums. The first, Ottawa Horticultural Society Tour of Members' Gardens was a welcome new addition to the many and varied aspects of this, the society which has been in existence the longest in this District.
PAKENHAM
SOCIETY NAME:PAKENHAM
DATE OF INCEPTION: 1925
FLORAL EMBLEM:Pansy
Pakenham Horticultural Society celebrated its seventieth Anniversary this year. The main street of the village was beautified with 26 colourful , planters, encouraged by the club's "Adopt a Barrel" Competition Window boxes were planted at places of business and a new border was put in around &the Cenotaph. The society encouraged civic pride and participation by sponsoring a beautification contest for private and business properties.