TIME:  7:30 pm

DATE:  Thursday, June 11, 2009

PROGRAM TOPIC:  Build your Garden Trellis “Smart”

SPEAKER:   Roger Gordon of Roger Gordon Contracting Inc.

Roger Gordon’s career has included the construction of almost every type of project imaginable, from small residential gardens, shoreline naturalization to commercial landscapes and large city parks.

For over twelve years, he worked with one of downtown Toronto’s most prominent Landscape Design/Build firms, creating many award winning projects. Roger is an outstanding carpenter and expert stonemason and is uncompromising about “building it right the first time”.  A true craftsman, his architectural integrity and attention to detail ensures a high quality product.

Self-employed since 2004, Roger has taken on many interesting projects and enjoys working on site with his small team of dedicated staff.

The discussion will cover the construction of wood garden structures including custom lattice, trellises and pergolas.  Roger will have samples of custom woodwork and detailing and will share key points on the ‘Smart’ way to build your own wood projects.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

We are very fortunate this year in that we have many of the executive, board and activity coordinator positions filled for 2010.  However, we are very anxious to find someone to take on the position of Vice President, assisting mainly in coordinating the program.  We also are in need of someone to coordinate the local student planting at Leaside Library, Trace Manes Park and Father Caulfield Parkette for the Junior Gardener program.  This is a very rewarding position and is done during a period of a few weeks, rather than over the year.  Job descriptions for both of these positions will be available at the next meeting.  If you would consider taking or sharing one of these positions, please let me know.

June promises to be a very busy time for LGS with our general meeting on June 11^th and our garden tour on the 27^th.  I’d like to thank all those who are working on the garden tour, from those finding the gardens last fall, to our tour coordinators who jumped in to make it happen and to the many volunteers who are presently assisting.  I’d also like to thank those of you who have volunteered to take a turn at the gardens on tour day.  See you on the 27^th, rain or shine!                                        Linda Wickland

JUNIOR GARDENERS

In-Class Planting: 

Many thanks to Edna Beange, Marjorie Hiley, Linda Vaughan and Linda Wickland who helped the children from three classes at Sunny View plant pansies to take home for Mother’s Day.  The children decorated the pot, selected the pansies, and then planted them with our supervision.  We all had a delightful morning interacting with the children and their mothers were very pleased with their gift.

Teaching Gardens:

On May 13^th, Helen Koyama took a class from Thorncliffe Park School to the Teaching Gardens.  The Society usually funds two visits annually, but this was an extra one.  Martin Galloway kindly declined his speaker’s fee and the Executive decided that it would be appropriate to use this money on a field trip for children.  The teacher involved was extremely grateful.  She wants everyone to know that as most of the children live in apartments, this kind of experience is especially valued.  The children learn, enjoy and appreciate.  A sincere thank you goes to Martin and to Helen.

Community Planting:

Unfortunately we had to postpone the planting at Trace Manes and the Library because of heavy rain.  The rescheduled date is Friday morning June 12th.  Please call me at 416-482-9268 if you are able to help.

Betty Muir

LEASIDE GARDEN TOUR 2009

June is upon us and with it our annual Leaside Garden Tour, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – rain or shine.  Again this year the tour will feature nine special gardens.  The tour is our major fund-raising event, which makes it possible for the Society to continue to contribute to the beautification of Leaside.  We do hope you will be able to show your support by sharing information about the tour with your friends and neighbours.  Please let everyone know that passports (tickets) are now on sale at Coldwell Banker, Gentry Clothiers, Royal LePage, Stars and write impressions.  You can also purchase tickets at the June 11^th meeting.  They make great Father’s Day gifts! 

We are happy to report that the response for volunteer garden hosts at the May meeting was exceptional; however, we still have a few openings that need to be filled. 

If you haven’t signed up yet, please phone Shawn Sheppard at (416)423-8475 or email at sheppardshawn@hotmail.com for your chance to host a garden.

What does it take to be a garden host?  You simply need a desire to contribute to the Leaside Garden Society and 1 ¼ hrs. of your time on the day of the Tour.  Hosts check off passports, chat with visitors, and if necessary, they control the crowds.  The garden owners themselves will be present to answer questions related to their gardens, but we hope volunteers will be able to answer any queries about the Society.  Passports will also be available for sale on site for anyone unable to pick one up prior to the Tour. 

Please note: The Rocca garden is at 146 Bessborough not 145 as listed on the passport.  There will be lots of balloons outside at each garden, so there should be no confusion as to where to go. 

Instructions for Garden Tour Attendants is attached to this Newsletter.

We are still in need of a volunteer(s) to look after lawn signs and balloons the day of the event.  The job requires someone to deliver the signs and balloons to the gardens first thing in the morning, before the tour starts, and to pick them up after 4:00 p.m. and return them to the library.  In addition, we need someone who can drive around the neighbourhood and pick up the lawn signs that members use to advertise the event.  If you are able to support the Tour in this way, please call Brooke Weslak at 416-489-5398.

Any member interested in having a Leaside Garden Tour lawn sign to help advertise the event can pick one up at the June meeting.  If you are unable to make the meeting but would like a sign, please call Brooke.

LOOKING AHEAD

June 13 & 14, 2009 (Sat./Sun)
5^th Annual Peony Festival at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens (155 Arena St., Oshawa).  Free admission 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Weekly Farmers’ Markets

•         East York Civic Centre Farmers’ Market started Tuesday, May 19, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

•         East Lynn Park on Thursdays, market starts June 4, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

•         Evergreen Brickworks market started Saturday, May 23, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

June 27, 2009 (Sat.)
Leaside Garden Tour
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

June 28, 2009 (Sun.)
Beach Garden Society Annual Garden Tour – 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY
GARDEN AWARD WINNER

Every year the LGS presents an award to a business or organization in the Leaside community in recognition of their efforts to enhance the neighbourhood and improve the environment.  This could be a church, school, store, business, or apartment in Leaside which has made an effort to beautify the surroundings through land-scaping and plantings.

Recent past recipients were Suomi Koti, EPI Breads, StorageNow, and Humphreys Funeral Home, A.W. Miles Chapel.

During your travels around Leaside this summer, if you see a business which deserves consideration, please contact Barry Schneider at 416-425-0625 or barry.schneider@rogers.com and he will add that name to a list for consideration by the Board.                       
          Barry Schneider, Community Award Director

LSG PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

All entries must be submitted by Thursday, September 10, 2009.  Preliminary judging and finalist selection will be made by the members of the Photo Contest committee.  The winning entry will be chosen by the general membership at the October meeting.  All entries will be returned after the judging is completed.  LGS reserves the right to copy and publish any of the entries for club publicity.

Rules

•         Entries are limited to photos taken by a LGS member in the previous 24 month period (subject of photos do not have to be from the member’s own garden).

•         A maximum of three entries may be submitted per member.

•         All entries should be submitted as prints.

•         All printed entries must be accompanied by corresponding negative, slide, transparency or digital file (printing requirements dictate minimum 300 dpi resolution, e.g. 2.2 Mb).

•         Entries must be clearly identified with the entrant’s name, plant or flower variety and the location of image (please indicate the top of the image if it is not obvious).

Judging Criteria

•         Horticultural relevance

•         Composition and design

•         Overall photographic quality

•         Artistic impact and interpretation

Please contact Karen Martin 416-421-6838 or kmartin.to@sympatico.ca if you have any questions.

CLASSIFIED

One of our new members, Peter Burnside, is making this generous offer:  Free lights and stand – includes 2 bulb Floralights with switch and AC outlet on each, three shelf stand, plastic trays.  In good condition.  Will deliver. Contact: peter@pacemaker.cd, or (647)296-5555

FLOWER SHOW

Congratulations goes to Ray Greene who won the Best in Show ribbon for her beautiful orchid at our May flower show.   A sincere thank you goes to all who participated. 

There is a Summer Flower Show at our meeting on June 11, 2009.

Show run under The Ontario Judging Exhibiting Standards, Publication #34/2003 Entries received 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm Judging starts at 7:30 pm Removal of Entries after 9:00 pm (Please read the Show Rules, pages 2 to 4 of Show Schedule)
Divisional I – Cultural (Containers will be provided) Section A:  Cut Specimens
Class
1.	Rose, Hybrid Tea (large specimen), 1 bloom with attached foliage
2.	Other Rose (not miniature), 1 bloom or spray, with attached foliage
3.	Miniature Rose, 1 bloom or spray, with attached foliage
4.	Iris, tall bearded, any cultivar, 1 stalk
5.	Iris, Siberian, any cultivar, 3 stalks
6.	Iris, any other variety, 1-3 stalks
7.	Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), pink, 1 spray
8.	Dicentra (Bleeding Heart), white, 1 spray
9.	Aquilegia (Columbine), 3 stems with foliage
10.	Clematis, 1 flower with foliage
11.	Heuchera (Coral Bells), one cultivar, 3 stems
12.	Paeonia (Peony), 1 bloom
13.	Viola (Pansies), 5 blooms, same colour
14.	Viola (Pansies), 5 blooms, different colours
15.	Papaver Orientale (Oriental Poppy), 1 stem
16.	Any other perennial or biennial, 1-3 stems, under 12 in./30 cm growth habit
17.	Any other perennial or biennial, 1-3 stems, over 12 in./30 cm growth habit
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