Thunder Bay Horticultural Society

Annual District 14 Meeting - Fun!!!
by Phyllis Garton

On May 1^st and 2^nd we traveled to Nipigon to attend the Annual District Meeting for District 14.  You will read all about it in next year’s yearbook, but I can tell you now, for those of you who missed attending, mark it on your calendar and plan to attend next year in Dryden.  We all felt so welcomed by the Nipigon/Red Rock Society.  There were guest speakers, games, contests, and prizes, prizes, prizes.   You couldn’t have asked for a more fun event.  It was a great learning experience as well, as we were all challenged by the contests they had.  You really had to know your flowers and horticulture.  The Nipigon Legion was decorated with all the banners from the attending societies within District 14.  Also, each table had a beautiful centerpiece made from dried plant material and flowers, all collected by the members of our hosting society.  Gert Cantley did all the arranging of these wreaths, as well as more large dried flower arrangements scattered throughout the room.  We were very lucky to win some of these wreaths to bring home.  Mine is gracing my dining room table.  The ‘Canadian’ Auction was a great success for the Nipigon/Red Rock Society, as they made lots of money from the items donated to them for the auction.  I, myself was lucky enough to win the prize I coveted, the framed 16”X20” colour photo of a female ruby-throated hummingbird taking nectar from a blue delphinium flower.  It seemed everyone won something to bring home.  And if you weren’t lucky in the draws, you still got a grab bag from the society.  Each delegate received a reusable shopping bag containing a colander, salad bowl, good quality paring knife, gardening gloves, a salad dressing recipe and either a variety of fruits or fresh vegetables.  The Nipigon/Red Rock Society went all out with the meeting, as we helped them celebrate their 45^th Anniversary.  Towards the end of the meeting, the last break of the day was the perfect opportunity for photo ops as they cut the beautiful 45^th Anniversary Cake.  Everyone got a slice.  Yum!