On Nov. 20 the Guelph Township Horticultural Society held its final meeting of its 90th year of existence.
The evening started with a potluck supper at the Marden Community Centre, which had tables decorated in the Christmas theme, with centre pieces given as door prizes at the closing.
The annual meeting followed with reports from various committees. President Jane McDonald read a congratulatory letter from district director Dorelene Anderson, and then presented incoming president Sylvia Grant with a framed 90th Certificate from the Ontario Horticultural Association.
The financial report showed the society in a favourable position. The proposed budget raised the amount for delegates to the 2013 OHA convention in Thunder Bay. They moved to pay registration for delegates to the District 7 spring annual meeting, when McDonald will become the new district director. The society also plan to purchase a digital projector.
Since the director was unable to attend, McDonald, as assistant district director, conducted the election of officers. Two new members joined the board.
The final slate of officers for Guelph Township Society was installed, and OHA pins presented to the executive.
Phil Sweet commended McDonald for all her work as president and youth leader, as well as her district work. A hearty round of applause followed.
Elizabeth Taborek introduced guest speaker Linda Clay, a former teacher who now conducts overseas tours. One goes to the Magnificent Gardens of Italy – slides of which she showed to those assembled. All gardens were designed on very large scales, each grander than the next. Many were hundreds of years old. Grant thanked Clay.
The new executive for 2013 includes: president Sylvia Grant; secretary-treasurer Jean Gordon; show secretary Pat Pritchard; directors for 2013 Ruth Robinson, Mary Campagnaro and Pat Pritchard; two-year directors Linda Van Norman, Elizabeth Taborek, Ronald Taborek, Phil Sweet and Lorna Brooks; and financial examiners Evelyn Cleghorn and Deb Walker.
The society will hold its first meeting of 2013 on the third Tuesday evening in February, when the results of the photographic entries will be shown. These entries are to be submitted to chair Ruth Robinson by Dec. 31.
submitted by Jean Gordon
