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ESSEX & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY
NOVEMBER
2006 NEWSLETTER
A
thought for the new year: I am not aging! I just need repotting!
A
Message from our President:
This will
be the last of my articles as President of the Essex and District
Horticultural Society. After 3 years I'm looking for a break, time to
refresh and take a breather. In looking back in the last 3 years, we have
accomplished many of our objectives. We have a better rapport with our Parks
and Recreation staff as we have worked together to make our town look
better, as they watered, constructed, helped with clean up and moved mulch.
Setteringtons have continued to donate fertilizer for the beds. Our flower
beds have had a wow effect this year, due to different plant material and a
great group who has taken the time to tend to these beds. We have
encouraged youth, our next generation, in the planting of trees at the
schools. Our great youth group, under the leadership of Debbie Ramsey,
Carol Anne Taylor and Hedi Lee has continued to thrive. Thank you for your
dedication to these special activity ladies.
I want to
say THANK YOU to the executive that I have worked with for they have made my
job easy. Teresa as secretary; Lynn as acting secretary during Teresa’s
absences; Bonnie as treasurer; Walter for membership; Sandy for the great
bus trips and organizing the Flower Show and filling in when needed as
president; Peter and Muriel Ridley and Marie Tiborcz for the coffee, tea and
luncheon table; Camelia for making sure our up coming meetings were
published in the Essex papers; Pat for the library; Tim for advertising;
Norma as Auditor; Evelyn and Lynn for the newsletter; Doris and Roberta for
programs; Stacey and Diane for brain storming; Hedi Lee for initiating the
community gardens at the Maplewood Apartments; and Dan and Stacey
Hildenbrand for all the work on the website. All of those who participated
in the Adopt-a-Bed program, it could not be done without you; you did a
fantastic job!
Happy
Holidays to you all and see you in the New Year.
Kathy
Hudak
In
addition to Kathy stepping down, Carol Anne Taylor has finished her current
two year stint as a director and will not be standing for re-election. She
is going to spend her extra time with her family as they follow their many
and varied interests. We shall miss you on the board Carol and hope to see
you back soon. We are very happy Kathy will continue on the board as Past
President.
Christmas
Quiz Groaners #1:
(shamelessly borrowed from the Southern Ontario Day tripping paper)
Did you
hear that one of Santa’s reindeer now works for Proctor & Gamble?
(answers
at bottom of last page of newsletter )
Sandy’s
Report
^ TOP ^
On the
District 11 Annual Meeting, Oct 28, 2006 Doris Parr, Bonnie Teskey, Kathy
Hudak , Lynn Imeson and Sandy Ellenor attended the District meeting at the
Teutonia Club in Windsor. It was hosted this year by the Ambassador
Horticultural Society. It was a nice honour to have the President of the
OHA, Lisa Wolfgram present and she and Ray Clements, our District Director
had a great time kidding each other and running the meeting. Lisa encouraged
all to attend the OHA convention in 2007 being held in Owen Sound, Aug
10-12. District 8 will be the hosts and their idea is to have ““100 mile
meals””- everything must come from within a 100 miles of Owen Sound. Coffee
will be an exception but it will come from a free trade area, where workers
and growers are paid fairly and honestly.
Lisa
encouraged everyone to make use of the OHA website. Use the forum to get
gardening questions answered. Read our newsletters on the site- the OHA ones
and the ones from our club. The website is www.gardenontario.org
We were
told we now have only to send in one report by Feb 1 instead of the usual
two (one to the Director and one to the OHA secretary) Great!
Windsor
Councillor Caroline Postma, accompanied by her daughter welcomed everyone on
behalf of Mayor Eddie Francis who was no doubt out campaigning. The roll
call was taken and Thamesville, Brigden and Grand Bend were absent. Harry
Wyma spoke on behalf of the Youth Program. Harry does a wonderful newsletter
for the kids and it is full of great ideas. Yes - you can download it on the
above website. There are wonderful stories and projects in it that anyone
might be interested in, not just kids, so check it out.
Lisa
conducted the election of officers and our new executive is District
Director: Ray Clement ( Belle River), Assistant Directors: Jennifer Plaus (
Watford), Juliette St Pierre ( Belle River ), Kathy Smythe (Tilbury) ,
Therefore we have an assistant in each County- Lambton, Kent and Essex.
Treasurer: Vicki Rees (Ambassador), Secretary: Marg Quick (Belle
River).Financial advisors were appointed - Nancy Greenaway and Nick
Mancioni.
Charlie
Bowyer spoke on the Donald Klinck fund and explained that Donald was an OHA
director in 1970 as well as an OHA President. He passed away and when
Charlie was director in 1982 a fund was set up to help horticulture students
pay for books or school. It was only $100 at the time. This year the
Colasanti picture that we sold tickets on will fund the bursary. At last
count we made somewhere between $700-$800. The fund now gives out $500 to
help students. The fund needs some creative ideas to keep going. Donald’s
son Carl also spoke to us and along with St Clair College hopes to keep the
Donald Klinck fund alive and well. Let’s hope so.
Interesting reports were read by each and every society. It was interesting
to hear what everyone else is doing in their community.
Our
speaker was Phil Roberts, President of the Essex County Field Naturalists.
He has been working for years banding hawks, eagles and even hummingbirds.
He had some great pictures to show. He talked mostly of the eagle project.
In 1980 only one eagle nest was in Ontario and where else...the Arner Town
Line. DDT had caused the decline of these fascinating birds, their eco
systems destroyed. DDT caused crooked beaks that left the birds unable to
eat, thinning of the egg shells and eaglets being born with defects like
having no wings. Today in Essex County we can be proud of their comeback.
Still none are nesting along Lake Ontario and none on the American side, but
S W Ontario is doing great. Check out the website www.bsc-eoc.org for the
eagle tracker or simply Google eagle tracker to learn more.
There was
discussion about failing societies. Ambassador is one that is really
suffering. Alan Batke asked for people to buy a membership from them to help
them out. They only had about 26 members or so. You would never know it from
the effort they put in to hosting this meeting.
Ray
suggested that all the societies submit their nursery discount list and they
could be combined so that we might have one common list to be shared by all
in the district. Each Secretary is to send a list to Ray of the merchants in
your area that offer a discount.
Marg
Dudley from Belle River (and a member here too) spoke about the garden at
Hospice and suggested that we as a District could help out. Pam Renier had a
memorial garden there but when the new building was put up it eliminated her
memorial garden. There is a plan in place for a new one but apparently many
of the plants need a lot of watering and care. Marg would like to see a
healing type garden and told us that this year it was pretty barren .She
needs some creative people and she would like to get together a group to
plant and maintain the garden. If you are interested in helping on this
project please give Marg a call. Bonnie will have her number on our
membership list or see me and I will get it to you. I am wondering about a
labyrinth - do you know what that is? It would have to be a bit herbal
though, for my liking but I must talk to Marg about that idea. All of you
think about it too.
Karen
Batke was given a gift as she is leaving as District 11 secretary. Karen
wants to spend a little more time quilting this year.
It was
decided District meetings will all start at 9-9:45 a.m. for registration and
the meeting itself at 10:00 a.m. to accommodate those traveling from afar.
The draw
for the Colasanti painting was done and it was won by a Brigden member. Our
own Betty Isberg was the lucky winner of a compost pail and M. Langlois won
the journal. Umpteen door prizes went out to the members, and we headed
home. As we were taking Doris home we went through snow and sleet- it was
unbelievable for Oct 28. We were not impressed! However we had had a nice
day, meeting up with fellow gardeners and learning
lots......................................................Sandy
^ TOP ^
MERRY
CHRISTMAS CACTUSI
often do not take the time to sit down to read a book or watch television.
Time for myself? Well, yes, it can happen with a little planning,
preparation and determination. Over the years, I have learned how to carve
minutes into the day for personal development. Christine, our exchange
student from Zimbabwe, also encouraged me to take time at about 3:00 in the
afternoon. We discussed the day over "a spot of tea". It is customary where
she is from to stop the hurriedness and relax and enjoy the moment. It
caught on with my own family whereby 6 or 8 of us gather before dinner
chatting about various activities, what made us happy or sad or just plain
joking around. Today, I was by myself and looked at my Christmas cactus with
its many blooms. Yes, that made me smile. I purchased four small plants
from Colasanti's about 10 years ago. The plants were 49 cents each.
Christmas Cactus (known botanically as Schlumbergera species) is an
inexpensive houseplant that can deck your halls with many blossoms during
the winter season and beyond. It seems to thrive on neglect. It will
tolerate some forgotten watering and produce a great show of up to 5 cm
trumpet shaped blossoms at the tips of truncated notched stems. Mine is deep
pink in colour, but it is also available in light pink, red and white or
orange. I tend to get two blooming periods for my plant (November and
February). All it needs is bright indirect light and moderate humidity. In
the summertime, my cactus plant is perfectly happy being outside on the
porch. Since our home is mostly under shade, it thrives well through the
season. I bring it back indoors before the first frost and water it only
when the potting soil dries out. So, a rule of thumb is to cut back on the
watering in the fall. Since it is a tropical plant, porous cactus potting
mix is recommended. Water regularly when the plant is blooming or in the
spring because that is when it is actually growing. Schlumbergera makes a
thoughtful holiday gift. Just take a stem cutting and place it in potting
soil. Voila! It will grow almost immediately without a lot of help. Tea
time, pondering and enjoying the beauty of my cactus plant is interluded
with the sudden realization that the school bus will be arriving at any
moment to drop off the children. The aura of peace and happiness will be
enhanced with the news of their day. Cleaning, laundry and cooking can wait.
Carpe Diem.Merry Christmas and many Blessings in the New
Year............................."Christmas Carol" Anne Taylor
^ TOP ^
Many ways
to rescue geraniums
...You can pull them out by the roots and store them upside down in your
garage where they will not freeze, or in a cool basement. Since the leaves
will eventually fall off, you might find it better to place one or two
plants in a paper bag. During the winter, soaking the roots in water for an
hour is also beneficial. Around March 15, cut two-thirds off the top and
one-third off the roots. Remove all dead material. Pot them and begin to
feed and water. When the threat of frost is gone, plant in the ground.
Cuttings can also be taken any time during the season if you're planning to
grow them as houseplants or plan to save your favourite varieties for next
year. You must take the last ones before the frost gets them. Cuttings are
taken from young growth four to five inches long. Take off all the leaves so
the stem looks like a piece of asparagus. Dip an inch and a half into
rooting hormone and plant into seed starting mix. Feed and water until the
cutting is growing with new leaves and then transplant into a larger pot.
The third method is to dig up the entire plant and place it in a pot. Prune
the plant to approximately a third to a half the original height. Water and
place the plant in a bright sunny window or under artificial light. Treat as
any houseplant. Pinch occasionally to keep it bushy. Insufficient light will
make the plant leggy.
Submitted
by Tim O’Hagan
Christmas
Quiz Groaner #2: If athletes get athletes foot, what do astronauts get?
From
the Graham Side Road
^ TOP ^
I
was sitting at my calligraphy box in the middle of October and heard a
slight ‘thud’ on my left at the window. I looked out and a golden crowned
kinglet was sitting on a seat on the porch trying to catch his bearings
after having brained himself on the window. After about 10 minutes he flew
away. I was so glad our cats did not come up there and find him while he
was resting!
While some
people have told me that they had more praying mantises in their yard this
year than ever before, it was a different story here. I found one by the
stable and not a very big one at that; around the outside of the house,
where we usually find at least five, there was nothing this year.
Humour is
mankind’s greatest blessing - Mark Twain
Be
careful what you wish for.....Marie
and Cathy were sitting on Marie’s porch one day last summer, having a cool
drink. They said to each other “all we do is water, water, water. We don’t
have time to enjoy our gardens or have any fun.” This fall along came ERCA
and announced that they would be taking back their parcel of land behind
Marie’s, where the railway once ran, for the continuation of the Chrysler
Greenway. All of Marie’s plants in that area had to be moved, and in a
hurry. SO NOW SHE WILL NOT HAVE TO WATER SO MUCH!
Christmas
Quiz Groaner #3
What do
you get if you deep fry Santa Claus?
^ TOP ^
The
History of the Mistletoe.
Borrowed from the Southern Ontario Day tripping paper.
The
ancient custom of the mistletoe dates back to the Druids and Romans. The
Druids and Romans believed mistletoe had the magic power of peace,
symbolizing “peace to all who enter.” Opposing soldiers who found
themselves under the mistletoe quickly laid down their arms and declared
peace of the day. The custom of the mistletoe has remained popular in
England and the United States. Mistletoe is placed over the doorway and
those who pass under the doorway are given a kiss.
Master Gardener Rebecca from Ottawa
shares the following:
“The
following, loosely related to gardening, is from a much longer list of
grade-schoolers' test answers. They were apparently written on tests, as
answers by real students from elementary all the way up.”
"The
pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects".
"Rhubarb:
A kind of celery gone bloodshot".
"Dew
is formed on leaves when the sun shines down on them and makes them
perspire”.”
Mushrooms always grow in damp places and so they look like umbrellas".
"To
prevent milk from turning sour, keep it in the cow".
"The
parts of speech are lungs and air".
"A
virgin forest is a forest where the hand of man has never set foot".
"The
four seasons are salt, pepper, mustard, and vinegar".
"The
climate is hottest next to the Creator".
Christmas
Quiz Groaner #4
What did
Santa shout to his toys on Christmas Eve?
^ TOP ^
Gardening
is a way of showing you believe in tomorrow
Our meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of the
month, January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October &
November at the Essex Kinsmen Field House, Fairview Avenue, Essex, at 7:30
pm. Membership is $7.00 a year. Bring a friend!
The Youth
Gardeners Club
holds their meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, at the Essex
Kinsmen Field House, Fairview Avenue, Essex, from 6:00 -7:30 pm 6: -
7:30pm. All children, ages 6 - 12 years are welcome! Membership is $5.00
a year
Regarding
our newsletters:
We would encourage all our members to share you literary or story making
skills with us. If you have a little story or some news you would like to
share with us, please contact Lynn Imeson at a meeting, by phone at 519 839
4751, or e-mail
lynneal@gosfieldtel.com and she will make sure it gets into the
newsletter. It is so interesting to hear from different people and would
make our newsletter so much more interesting!
An
environmental concern:
Every month at our meetings we contribute Styrofoam cups to the garbage. We
want to change. When you come to a meeting...don't come alone...LUG A MUG
... with thanks from the executive
Coming Events
^ TOP ^
Nov 25
2006 Leamington Horticultural Society has their annual Wreath Making Day
Leamington United Church John Street
Swags $20. Wreath $25.00
Bring your own straw wreath and adorn it for $20.00
Questions? 326 5558 or 326 8557
Jan 9
2007 Directors meeting at Kinsmen House, Fairview Ave. Essex 7:30 pm
January
17 Youth Gardeners Club glass etching a winter scene and making a bird
feeder
Jan 24
2007 General meeting at Kinsmen House, Fairview Ave. Essex 7:30 pm
Our
member, Margaret Gold, will speak on “An Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle
in Holland”
February
21 Youth Gardeners Club to be announced
March 3,
2007 Winter Blooms II, at St. Clair College 9-5
Entrance fee is nominal, around $5:00
Proceeds go to Hospice and to the college fund
Youth
Gardeners Club
March
21 Making
our own wind stocks and bird houses
April 18 flower drink holders and sidewalk chalk
May
16
to
be announced
June 2 bring in a white T-shirt along with a handful of medium to
large leaves
plus plastic jell-o making supplies.
*Pizza party for summer*
Above
topics subject to change depending on availability of materials or if a more
interesting topic arises.
Snack Schedule: Deb (Gavin and Eliza) Jan.
Christmas
Quiz Answers:
1. Its
true ... comet cleans sinks!
2.
Mistletoe
3. Crisp
Cringle
4. Okay,
everyone. Sack Time!
^ TOP ^
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