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Belle River Report 2009
by Paul Schneider
Belle River
2009 Report
This past year the Belle River and District Horticultural Society embarked again on a number of different events designed to promote membership, horticulture and funding for the various programs we support. Encouraged by a generous donation of a small rototiller we organized a Chinese Auction and Pasta Dinner in April. The dinner preceded our regular monthly meeting and the public was invited to participate. The event was very successful in all respects: Promotion of the society, fund raising and filling our stomachs. In May during the week before Mother's Day we organized a children's plant workshop with third graders but this time in a French school. All the children brought home a small planted pot for "maman" and some enthusiasm "pour les fleurs". Only a few days later our second annual Plant Sale took place. The weather seemed to match the economic weather as cold winds whistled around our ears. Even though the result was slightly smaller than the previous year we generated enough funding to cover the operation of the society and the plantings of the Belle River town sign and gazebo gardens. Our society also sponsored two bursaries in our local high schools. They were funded by the garden tour of 2008.
In our winter and spring season we heard speakers on Natural Soaps, Hard Scapes in the Garden, Naturalizing of gardens, the growing of tropical plants outdoors, herb and perennial containers, alpine pots and not to forget the production of our own Master Gardeners that featured four different ideas of gardening including the planting of a bird nest in a dead tree.
Our buying bus trip led us again to several hot spots of plant and garden supplies that helped us fill the hold of the bus and let us do our part to keep the economy going. It was a great success. As always the planning was done by Marg Dudley. We ended the first part of the society year with a barbeque and flower show in appreciation for all the members. Our flower shows have attracted more members' participation than before which is of course a positive turn of events.
Our speakers for the fall program were the introduction to different flavours of vinegar for gifts, bulbs for all seasons and a talk of ail the kinds of orchids. We are working with the Essex County orchid society and learned that if you didn't water the plant today and yesterday you probably saved its life.
The Christmas party was a dignified event and we had the privilege to welcome our district president Jenn Plaus to our celebration. One of the highlights of the evening was the awards celebration for different volunteers of our society. We are proud to tell you that we could honour our member Marg Dudley with the service certificate of the OHA.
In all the Belle River Horticultural Society fulfilled its mandate of education and promotion of gardening and horticulture in our area during 2009.
Thank you. Paul Schneider, April 17, 2010
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(2011-02-20) |
