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Annual Report

Pictured - Thames River in Thames Valley District

District 10 Annual Report

The 24 societies of Thames Valley are located in the counties of Elgin, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth except for Grand Bend which transferred to District 10 from District 11 because of their geographic location. Our District is large and diverse including rural areas, small villages and large cities. Memberships from 32 to 233 members, with a total membership for the District of 3004.

As District Director for the past 5 years, I would like congratulate all societies for the excellent work and all accomplishments they have achieved over the years.

It has been a, pleasure and a great honour to serve as your District Director,

 Anna Peterson.

Aylmer and District held a Garden Contest, Photo Competition, Bus Tour and Flower Show. They continue to plant and maintain garden in the community.

Belmont and Area continue to maintain the Veterans Garden at the Community Park, Gardens at the Fire Hall, L.A. Lake Parkette and the Library. New this year a rock monument in Community Park, honouring deceases members and installed a new pathway in R.L. Lake Park. Held a Plant Sale and a Bus Tour.

Dorchester changed their traditional Strawberry Social (with demonstration and craft making) to a Scavenger Hunt. It took place in a local Dorchester Garden. Members divided into teams, and given a list of clues to identify flowers and shrubs throughout the garden. It was lots of fun, with lots of whispering and lively competition.

Yes! All enjoyed the Strawberry cake.

Dutton/Dunwich revamped the memorial rose garden, and are replacing the roses with perennials, turning it into a more colourful garden setting where people can enjoy some quite time and also photo-opportunities for weddings etc..

Buttermilk Bog, though well hidden like a treasure, is a great area with many different sections, featuring tall grass prairie, arboretum, butterfly garden, and a walk through the forest with many different native trees and plants.

Glencoe added a “White Elephant Table” to their Annual Plant Sale. Donated asparagus, perennials, trees, and shrubs were also donated by the local community for a successful event. A birdhouse building workshop was another great success. The Photo Contest, an idea borrowed from the Parkhill Society, had many entries especially from our youth. The pictures were featured at our booth at the Fair, drawing lots of attention.

Grand Bend is working towards naturalizing a small area, River Bend Park and feel they are winning. They held their second Home and Garden Tour, renamed the Festival of Homes, Gardens and Art. Our visitors and workers enjoyed themselves as fun, food, flowers, music and art were all provided – along with an excellent day.  We raised the money necessary to complete our shelter project in the Optimist Children’s Park. The Awards Committee gave out Impatients and Trillium Awards and hosted an excellent Awards picnic.

Ingersoll & District continue to plant and maintain various planters at the Hospital. New this year a garden was planted at the Woodingford Lodge Nursing Home. The blossoms in the Group Recognition Garden in Memorial Park continued to make a strong showing despite a tree falling on the garden during a windstorm.  The Garden Tour and Plant sale were both well attended.

Kirkton continues to maintain flower gardens at the Kirkton Woodham Community Centre and the Timothy Eaton Plaque in Kirkton. Three Flower Shows are held, along with Design Workshops. Bus Tours and Plant Sales. Members supported the OHA District 10 by hosting the Judging School. A Youth Program is very active with the Kirkton Guiding group and grade three classes in two schools. Between the two schools approximately 70 students built a boot planter.

Lambeth held their Annual Rose Show, Garden Tour, Plant Sale and Pot Luck Supper. A Mystery Tour, was held in August and a tour to Dundern Castle and Niagara Falls in December. Flower arranging Design courses were held. A new project, the Bicentennial Garden for Lambeth’s 200 year Anniversary. The greenhouse at Ashwood Manor (Senior Home) is maintained and a Serviceberry Tree was planted in the spring.

Listowel and District continues to plant and maintain six gardens in prominent locations around town. A Garden Tour was held along with a Fall Plant Sale and a Bake Sale. Interesting meetings are held at the Legion Hall, with knowledgeable speakers, door prizes and gardening information, something for all.   

London held a successful events at the London Home and Garden Show, Western Fair Farm Show (on behalf of the OHA), and a plant sale at Gathering on the Green. A great walk through Sifton Bog, led by Brenda Gallagher followed by a tour of Velda Beeson’s garden. Through Archie Graham’s efforts a large donation to the Dearness Home, towards installing a fountain was made possible.

London/Fanshawe revised the society brochure, designed new book marks, membership cards and thank you card with logo on front. Plant donations were made to McCormick Nursing home, 3 schools (Northdale, Jack Chambers and St. Marks). Three trees were planted at the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Community Home. Shrubs were planted at the Spooner Memorial Garden Wall, recognizing the contributions made by our Veterans.

The member graciously hosted the District Fall Workshop.

Parkhill Area celebrated their 20^th Anniversary by planting a Pin Oak tree near the children’s playground equipment in Coronation Park. A plaque was placed to mark the location and a dedication celebration was held at the September meeting. Anna Peterson, District Director assisted President Marguerite Whiting with the dedication ceremony. A retrospective computer slide presentation by Ann Wilson highlighted the people and projects over the past twenty years. Past directors were invited, and all enjoyed an opportunity to reminisce and enjoy cake and ice-cream.

Port Burwell-Bayham the smallest society hosted the Annual District Meeting for the largest district, with flying colours, great enthusiasm and smiles. They plant and maintain several gardens in the village.   

Rodney and District, held a dedication ceremony at the Library on November 16, 2009 in honour of the Kelly’s. A large engraved stone was placed in the front garden to honour the work of Don and Florence. The society was organized in 1920 and the Kelly’s were the longest serving members, with a combined effort of volunteering of over 100 years of service to horticulture in Rodney and “Keeping Ontario Beautiful” 

Many members and friends, including the District 10 Director, Anna Peterson attended.

Florence served as District Secretary and received the OHA District Service Award in 1996.

St. Marys held four Flower Shows (May, June, September, and December), Garden Fair in June, Garden Tour in July plus Bus Tours. The society plants and maintains a garden at The Centennial Park, The Peace Gardens, the Museum and the Legion Hall plus window boxes at the Hospital. Floral Design workshops were held and an extensive program with 75 youth is held in two schools monthly during the school year. The children entered the CNE Youth Competition, several classes at the OHA Convention and all four Flower Shows.  

St. Thomas and District, held their Annual Rose Show with a Personality Arranging Session, including our Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament participating as well as United Way’s C.E.O. and a representative from Canadale’s Nursery. The event turned out to be very successful and amusing. The society has had a good relationship with Canadale Nursery over the years and developed an even closer partnership by participating in their spring, summer and fall events by helping with information booths, thanking speakers, providing speakers and the helping with the Kids Club.

Stratford and District participated in the Annual Lung Association Garden Festival with a garden reflecting the theme “Wild Things”. Design workshops were held; Working without Floral Foam, Creative Containers, Living Wreath and Pavé. The youth group is enthusiastic and committed to their projects. The craft group continues to produce cards and gift tags, raising funds for the society.

Strathroy-Caradoc held Garden Tours, Plant Sales, and Workshops. They plant and maintain 9 gardens in Strathroy and 1 in Mt. Brydges. Their Youth Program is extensive and they placed 1^st in  the Frances Lemke Award class at the OHA Convention.

Tavistock and Area celebrated their 10^th Anniversary/Birthday Party with special music, fun, food and a slide show of the highlights of the past 10 years, also some surprises that added to the great memories. Special guests were Past President Jim Mabee and District Director Anna Peterson.

Members are looking forward to the second decade of good gardening fun in Tavistock.  

Tillsonburg’s Junior Gardener program continues to be quite popular with the younger set; 200 children enrolled with 130 gardens being judged by Society members. As well 9 children entered 24 projects, winning 15 ribbons at the OHA Convention in Peterborough.  A “Lifetime Membership” program was introduced, with five founding members receiving their Lifetime Membership at the Christmas Potluck Supper.

Thorndale and Area catered to the Master Gardener’s “Seedy Saturday” in London with a “Green Thumb Cafe” which raised money for the society. A Silent Auction was held at the December Meeting and raised $300 which was donated to Durham and Markdale Societies to replace trees damaged in the tornado. Table arrangements were made to help the Lion’s with their Christmas Community Party.

West Lorne and Community planted a garden at the New Water Treatment Plant in West Lorne and continue to plant and maintain the Complex Centennial Garden. They make use of Native Plants in their projects. A Design Workshop was held to promote the Annual Flower Show. A Garden Fair, and Plant Sale were also held with great success.  

Woodstock  continues to plant the Downtown raised beds, City (WDSK) Social Housing and VON Adult Day Therapy Beds .A Plant Sale was held and a Bus Trip to Royal Botanical Gardens and Dundern Castle. The Youth Group planted a Vegetable Garden on a municipal site, took cuttings, planted seeds and had plants at the Home and Garden Show.

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Last Updated: 2011-11-02