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Annual Report
Annual Report
District 15 Statistics from 2006 Reports
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Membership: 2398 including 227 new members and 55 Life members
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Community Projects: 114 including 25 new projects in 2006
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Funds spent on Planting: $29,260
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Convention 2006 attendance: 42
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Convention 2006 delegate subsidies: 11 of 16 societies = $6,819
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Volunteer Hours 33,000 (12 of 16 societies reporting)
Below are the reports of the 16 societies of District 15, as presented at the District 15 AGM on Saturday, April 28, 2007.
Societies of Metro West
ETOBICOKE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Looking back on 2006
· Spring and Fall Plant Sales, Tool Sales
· Bus Tour
· 2 Workshops
· Continuing Community Projects: Gardens at Brentwood Public Library, Eatonville Public Library, Long Branch Public Library, Trillium Queensway Health Centre courtyard
· New Community Projects: Franklin Horner Community Centre courtyard revitalization plus new street-side plantings, Etobicoke Services for Seniors Centre flowerbed revitalization plus new plantings
· Youth Program: Provided instruction in creation of holiday floral centrepieces, expanded gardens at St. Luke’s United Church
· Partnerships: City of Toronto Etobicoke Great Gardens Contest, Montgomery’s Meadow, Toronto Public Libraries
· CNE and Successful Gardening flower show entries
· Volunteering at OHA booth at CNE and Successful Gardening
· First Prize winner, Non Commercial Category of the City of Toronto Etobicoke York Great 2006 Gardens Contest for the Eatonville Public Library Gardens
PARKDALE & TORONTO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Fundraising through the Garden Tour, Plant Fair and Raffle gives us necessary funds to support or garden projects. We all have our favourites; for some it is the fascinating historical research and careful restoration of the Howard's gardens at Colborne Lodge, High Park and for others it is the wonder of discovery as they nurture school children on a gardening learning curve as they dig the soil and plant seeds.
Small community gardens confirm a sense of pride in neighbourhoods; while other projects like St. George and St. Chris offer an important garden oasis to these organizations that reach out to help the communities and their members. This hard work is balanced by the pleasure of listening to interesting speakers, borrowing books from the Hort library, and a chance to socialize with friends at meetings as well as at the annual Summer BBQ. Some took in a special tour of Casa Loma's gardens.
The May meeting is especially about having fun and acknowledging our members. Instead of a usual speaker, members are invited to show favourite garden slides from a holiday or from their own garden. There are quizzes, prizes and awards, and we certainly enjoyed sampling May wine, made with fresh, Sweet Woodruff, after a demonstration by one member.
ROSELANDS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Roselands Horticultural Society reached its 80th Anniversary in 2006 with a total of 91 members made up of 88 adults, 1 church and 2 youths. Unfortunately, we had 5 long term members pass away during the year, but were fortunate to pick up 11 new members. The society continued to support ongoing projects at West Park Hospital Long Term Care facility with planting of annuals in their garden beds in 3 courtyards, as well as containers in the gardens, courtyard and 2 terraces. Totally we plant up more than 50 containers throughout their 3 areas.
We continued the upkeep of 2 gardens at Mount Dennis United Church. Roselands donates 100 mixed spring bulbs to each of the 11 public schools in the area for the students to plant up each year. We also donated poinsettias to Runnymede Hospital for the first time in 2006.
We celebrated our 80th Anniversary at our Awards Dinner held in October. We made up grab bags for each place setting of donated items from businesses in the area and also gave each attendee a plant as well as a single red rose at the end of the evening.
SWANSEA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
In 2006 we started two community projects:
1. Colborne Lodge Historical Gardens (High Park): Our society contributed money and our volunteer efforst at the Lodge that John Howard created on his large property. This project is not only important to the city but also provdes a great learning experinecs fofr those who dedicate their time at the historical garden. The learning is hands-on and hoe to research the planrs that existed prior to 1890. Volun teers can also partake in seminars during the winter months. This is a long term project and we will contiue our support in 2007.
2. The Swansea Legion: This project is a local community effort. Last year the Legion rejuvenated part of its property for relaxation and plants. This area has been neglected for a number of years and finally the talk turned to action and we provided some money for plants in the large new planter boxes that can support shrubs, perennials and bulbs. In the autumn we planted the first planter and will continue to add more plants in the other boxes this spring. After the planting os completed, this corner will help beautify the street as it is very visible to the public.
Other highlights include a successful bus trip to the Peopny Festival in Oshawa and a stop at Parkhurst Estate. It helpd that the wetaher was perfect fro this outing. Lastly, some of our members attended the OHA Centenary in Ottawa and two members wh we subsidized reported back to us about their trip. One report was in great detail and vividly described the experience.
WESTWAY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
In 2006, we had many volunteer events planned and well attended by our Westway Hort members. This included the Successful Gardening event at the International Centre, our plant sale in May, a Fun Fair community event at a public school in June, at the Environment Day in June, at the CNE in the Heritage Court Garden area volunteers’ booth in August. In April, at the District 15 AGM, we won 1st prize for our yearbook and 1st for our newsletter. A field trip took us to view the lovely gardens of Streetsville.
In the Toronto’s Best in the West Garden Contest, Westway had many members who participated as judges this year. Members who won awards included 2nd prize for a traditional garden and at the CNE, a Westway member won an Honourable Mention in the patio door container competition.
Our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the summer was well attended and included prizes in various categories for the best hat and best arrangement in a tea cup.
We participated in maintaining various gardens: at the Richview Public Library, the Elmbrook Public Library and at the Etobicoke General Hospital garden. We won a City of Toronto Clean and Beautiful plaque for our work at the Elmbrook Public Library garden which was completed this year.
In December, we held a Christmas Party with Santa Claus in attendance, a successful cookie exchange and gift exchange, and held a Food Drive for a local food bank.
SOCIETIES OF PEEL
BOLTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Bolton & District Horticultural Society has been in "maintenance mode" this year. We maintain 12 community gardens or plantings, and due to construction at some of our planting sites, we were forced to remove and replant some of our community gardens. This meant, unfortunately, that we were unable to take on any new projects this past year.
We were called upon for some help in the community, however, and responded with our usual Bolton courtesy, even when it meant that some of our members, and even our President, had to do some planting in the rain! Hey, it's always fun to play in the mud!
For the first time since its inception, the Bolton "Hort" sent a delegate to the OHA Convention, this year in Ottawa. President Robyn Price attended, saying that although it was her first convention, it was definitely NOT her last, even after she wasn't President anymore! She said that the information that she gathered and the people she met made it a very worthwhile experience!
In the spring, we tried something new, and amalgamated our Plant Sale with the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness Youth Centre's Garage Sale. We rented several parking spots, at no cost to us, thanks to our relationship with the Centre, and we had a HUGE turnout. We brought in more than in any other Plant Sale, and decided to have only one sale a year, but to make this an annual event.
We lost 2 members this year, John Wilkinson and Ken Price. The latter is the husband of our Past President, Carol Price, and the father-in-law of our President. We hope that 2007 will be happy, healthy and prosperous for all.
BRAMPTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
One of two successful societies in Brampton, the society had 207 members in 2006. Many of whom contributed to our programs and projects in the Community. Fundraising consisted of a very successful Plant Sale and Garden Tour. Members planted, developed and maintained five Community gardens which included the Fairoaks Community Gardens for the Boys and Girls Club of Peel.
We were very involved in the Communities in Bloom event, won by the City of Brampton. Representatives spent a day with Judges showing gardens etc. Front Garden Recognition programme presented 750 homes with plaques acknowledging home owners efforts, sponsored by Bramalea City Centre.
Gardening as a Hobby was offered to members of the community covering basic gardening knowledge and “hands on” preparing plants for Plant Sale.
We sponsored and maintained the “Kid’s Make it and Take It’ garden at the Successful Gardening Show in March. Our youth project was awarded the Baker Trophy.
The Annual Flower Show “Brampton Blooms” was held in the Atrium of City Hall. Six monthly flower shows, speakers, bus tour, flower arranging classes, photo contest, our newsletter and annual report complimented the education component of the society.
The society judged the annual Park/Parkette flower beds across the City and awarded trophies in 3 categories with over 34 beds entered.
We received awards from Successful Gardening Flower Show in Society and individual classes, Youth and publication categories in Dist. 15 and O.H.A. competitions.
Our Volunteer/Newcomers afternoon and our Annual General Meeting were a special time to acknowledge our valued members.
CHINGUACOUSY GARDEN CLUB
The Chinguacousy Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Professors Lake Rec. Centre. We have 105 members in our adult club and 14 members in our Junior Club. The juniors meet the first Sat. of the month in Emmanuel United Church.
The club has been very busy this year. We continued to be involved with Tall Pines Seniors’ Residence. Once a month we meet with the residents and have planned activities from planting containers for their balconies and interior gardens to indoor activities like making scented pine cones for their Christmas Bazaar. Our members enjoyed themselves immensely, and look forward each month to working with the residents. This year the city gave us 750 spring bulbs to plant in the front and the Pinerose Courtyard.
Our Garden Tour of 4 local gardens was very well attended, followed by an enjoyable Strawberry Social. It highlighted 4 very different styles of gardening.
Our Junior Gardeners continue to thrive, meeting the first Saturday of the month to carry out activities such as making seed pictures and fresh wreaths for Christmas Door Decorations.
Our speakers this year have been very good. We especially enjoyed seeing Marion Jarvie again, Belinda Gallagher preparing for flower shows and of course Larry Sherk’s beautiful slides on Roses.
September 9th was our 32nd Annual Flower Show. We had 262 entries, 22 decorative and the rest cultural and vegetables. Our photography section continues to attract entries. This year we gave out a best in show ribbon and had a new trophy made to present to the winner.
The most exciting part of this year was continuing our work with the city to win the Communities in Bloom National Award for cities over 100,000. For our part we set up criteria for judging the businesses. Members went out to judge the various businesses and handed out 9 Business Beautification Awards at the City of Brampton reception for Communities in Bloom.
CLOVERLEAF GARDEN CLUB
We work with a local public school to maintain and improve their gardens. One club member has a daughter attending Mineola Public School and we have worked with them for several years now. We also maintain gardens at two historical sites in Mississauga: Benares and Bradley House.
Our garden tour was in June and we had a bus tour in July.
Noteworthy speakers were Glenn Brunetti: Landscaping with Herbs, Chris Graham Flowering Shrubs for Ontario Gardens and Belinda Gallagher: Vines and Perennials that will knock your socks off!
CREDIT VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
A busy year was had indeed. We hosted the District 15 AGM on April 28th Our theme “Support to the Oscars” the day was filled with movie excitement. A great day had by all.
We continue to sponsor scholarship funds to Guelph University, University of Toronto, Miss. and Humber College, also to the annual Peel Science Fair. These funds come to a total of $1,500.
Our annual plant sale held on the May long weekend was very successful. Again 30 members involved with the digging, potting and selling our wares. Our annual Garden Tour in July with 45 members involved and over 400 visitors through the gardens a very successful day and great team work.
We participated in Community in Blooms. Again, headed for the dirt, for weeding and watering to spruce up two of our community gardens for the judges. Mississauga placed 2nd.
Community Projects: The Litter-not Walk is organized 3 times a year. The two gardens at Credit Valley Hospital, Oncology Garden as well as a Children’s Garden are maintained. . A courtyard at a senior’s Lodge. Maintaining a rock garden and potting up urns at a women’s shelter. The annual native planting at Springbank Meadows Park, with funding from TD Friends of the Environment
Sept. the three garden clubs in Mississauga held another wonderful Annual Flower Show Competition at Erin Mills Town Centre.
October we were promoting our club at the grand opening of Riverwood Park.
A Christmas workshop was held before the meeting in Dec. In the first week of Dec. 100 Poinsettia plants were purchased and delivered to the two local Hospitals and a local women’s shelter. Also gifts brought to the Dec. meeting were delivered to another women’s shelter in our area.
STREETSVILLE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Streetsville has increased it's community planting committment by pledging $5000 for plantings to the Mississauga Garden Park at Riverwood over the next 3 years, and has already met $3000 of that obligation in the last year.
In 2006 we had several short surveys on specific topics, and as a result the board has been able to make changes accordingly. We have changed our seating plan to groups around tables for our general meetings to increase social interaction between members as well as conact with the board of directors – one sits at each table. This has made volunteering go easier and helped us learn more about the workings of our society.
We are streamlining our business portion of general meetings, after many suggestions from our members, by posting more information on the wall and providing an table with displays and information about up coming events.
As costs have risen up the line, we increased our membership fees by $5 to be on the same level as other societies in our area (just in time to hear that they were also increasing theirs!). This will give us the means to continue to hire great speakers.
We are adjusting our flower show activities to include more members by offering clinics on a particular design before each meeting with a judge who is also a member. SHS continues to feature member expertise at least once a year, either with a slide show on a gardening topic, the December Christmas workshop, or our successful mini demonstrations and presentations at our May meeting.
Societies of York West
Nobleton and King City Horticultural Society
Nobleton & King City Horticultural Society may be small but our 73 members are very active, maintaining ten gardens in the community as well as actively participating in the Communities in Bloom effort this summer. In conjunction with the Schomberg Horticultural Society, we served as judges for the Township’s Fabulous Front Yard Competition.
Our signature garden at Four Corners in King City, which had been dismantled in 2005 due to maintenance work on the bridge and retaining wall at the railway, has been restored. Special thanks to Sheila Jarvis and her crew and the Township of King Parks and Recreation Department.
The society hosted seven first-rate speakers and flower shows and is pleased to see a steady increase in competitors. We held two plant sales and our summer garden tour, which were well attended by the general public.
Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society 2004
Richmond Hill Garden & Horticultural Society had another good year.
We had about 234 members, including 17 new members, plus 17 Life Members. Several members spent several mornings in April planting hundreds of baskets and barrels in a large greenhouse. The Town set them out later along the streets. Another successful Open Gates Garden Tour was held in June.
A New Members’ Tea was held in April to tell them of the activities in an informal setting. Through the year we held two plant sales, seven flower shows, a Photography Contest and a Hobby Night.
SCHOMBERG HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2004
The Schomberg Horticultural Society with 55 members continued to make Schomberg bloom, with out lily bed at the library and a complete re-make of the front garden at the “Welcome to Schomberg” sign. We also revamped the garden at the arena and had two new gardens put in at our local seniors apartments.
We had out booth at the Schomberg Fair, where we gave out seeds in pots to the children and we helped at the “Main Street Christmas” celebration.
Thornhill Garden & Horticultural Society 2004
We had numerous events and activities throughout the year: 12 Board meetings, 9 General meetings with guest speakers, 1 Awards night with a pot luck banquet and 7 Flower Shows.
Latest Annual Report: District 15 Director's Report AGM 2007
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