The Moorefield and District Horticultural Society is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2016. The following is part of a continuing series culled from the society’s archives. This segment focusses on the period from 1970 to 1995.
Blizzard-like conditions caused the cancellation of the Moorefield and District Horticultural’s annual meeting scheduled for January 1971. The meeting was rescheduled for Feb. 23 and included a pot luck supper, business meeting and bingo called by Mrs. A. Noecker and Mrs. S. Cunningham.
Mrs. P. Rowland was recognized for long service to the society in 1973.
The society’s income in 1975 was pegged at $475.41 with expenses of $279.19. Robert Honsinger, Olive Honsinger and Pauline Baer audited the financial records. Income in 1980 was slightly higher at $515 with expenses significantly higher at $500. Membership fees were raised to $1. Irma Beisel and Marjorie Hammond examined the finances.
A tour through VanGeest’s greenhouse in Listowel was organized by Henry Bowman, Hope Bowman and Irene Hammond in May 1982. Ed VanGeest demonstrated the proper way to transplant seedlings.
On July 24, 1990 13 members of the society toured three gardens in Elora and ended the day with a potluck meal at a park in Elora.
Dirk and Annie Ottens were in charge of refreshments at the June 25, 1991 meeting. That same year, entrants received 50 cents in prize money for cut flowers and plants and $1 for designs.
A Fun Night hosted by Gea Lobsinger, Gladys Hills and Renske Helmuth was held on Jan. 23,1992.
The Junior Horticulture Group was lead by Jean Kiers, Jean Dobben and Maggie Lane in 1993. In 1994 Sharon Medill took over the position of President from Gladys Hills.
Membership in 1995 was listed at 110 persons with 18 in the Junior Horticulture Group. Sasha Dobben, Nicole Dekker, Simon Signer, Lindsay Tilker, Katrina Walter and Pamela Wigglesworth were registered in the Junior group. The Spring Flower Show in May of the same year resulted in Best House Plant winner Diny Poot, Best Cut Flowers Woudy Onrust and Best Design Renske Helmuth. Sharon Medill won for Best Iris and Florence Hill topped the competition with Best Rose at the Summer Flower Show in June.
