 140 Years
by 140 Years
140 Years
For The
St.Thomas & District
Horticultural Society
by
Richard W. Cartwright
Planting a Gingko biloba tree at the St.Thomas Community Christian School on May 10th, 2010 to celebrate the 140th Anniversary. Left to right: Principal Janet Baird, students Alex Hooker and Joshua DeJong, and Society President Diane Vaughan. Photo: Diane Vaughan.
This year marks the 140th Anniversary of the founding of the St.Thomas & District Horticultural Society. There have been many changes since the group began as a sponsor of the East Riding of the County of Elgin Fall Show which was held in the then Town of St.Thomas. Over the years, we have been involved in civic beautification, flower shows, garden competitions, school gardens, spring and fall plant sales, and hosting meetings on a variety of gardening topics.
To celebrate this important milestone, several special events were organized. The society's meeting place, the St.Thomas Community Christian School, received a Gingko biloba tree during Arbour Week. Members enjoyed a guided tour of Cuddy Gardens near Strathroy in May. Various memorabilia was put on display at the St.Thomas Public Library and a series of photographs from past flower shows appeared in the daily St.Thomas Times-Journal newspaper.
The society promoted itself in the community by participating in the Spring Gardening Show at Canadale Nurseries Ltd. in March with a display of recycled objects for use in the garden. Board Members manned a table at the Aylmer Home and Garden Show in April and a tent at the International Plowing Match in Elgin County in September.
The society has been active in the Ontario Horticultural Association by attending the District 10 Annual Meeting in Dorchester on April 17th and sending delegates to the Annual Convention in Barrie from August 13th to14th.
A book on floral design entitled 'Flower Arranging Made Simple' was given to the St.Thomas Public Library. Two floral design classes took place, one in June and the other in October at the library. Participants learned some of the basics along with small, miniature, and line-mass styles of arrangements.
Despite the early growing season, the Annual Flower Show was very successful on June 26th The theme this year was 'As Time Goes By' with design classes inspired by world events over the past 140 years. The school gymnasium was filled with roses, perennials, and floral designs.
President Diane Vaughan organized our most successful Annual Garden Tour in July which featured eight properties in St.Thomas and the surrounding Elgin County.
Other activities in 2010 included a bus trip to Canada Blooms in Toronto in March. Members took part in the Adopt-A-Highway clean-up in April and October. The Annual Spring Plant Sale was held at the city-owned Horton Farmers Market on May 22nd. A bursary was awarded to a recent graduate of Arthur Voaden Secondary School the following month.
The monthly meetings this year have featured 'History Bytes', a short account about important accomplishments from the society's past. Topics have included 'Dreamland Gardens', 'Lilacs of Pinafore Park', 'Michigan Central Railroad Park', and 'Society Awards and Trophies'. The September meeting included the life story of society president Dr. Frank E. Bennett who served as president of the O. H. A. in 1917.
The society meetings are open to the public and are held from January to May and September to November at the St.Thomas Community Christian School. Speakers this year have demonstrated flower arranging and plant propagation and talked about herbs, native wildflowers, and walnut trees. Members and guests have the opportunity to win a door prize, 50/50 draw, or items from the Adoption Table. There is a mini-show which includes classes for horticulture, design, and craft. Money collected during the tea break has been donated to the Alzheimer's Society. If you are interested in attending one of our events or meetings, visit our website at http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/thomas
stthort@acanac.net
or contact President Shelley MacKenzie (519) 769-2529 s.mack@rogers.com
(2011-09-25) |
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