The Ontario Horticultural Association District 7 annual general District Director Dorelene Anderson welcomed over 80 members and guests to the Ontario Horticultural Association District 7 annual general meeting in April at the Grand Valley community centre.
Mayor John Oosterhof offered a hearty welcome and congratulated the Grand Valley Society for keeping the town looking so beautiful.
“Flowers bring cheer even on a rainy day,” he said.
Society president Frances Bouma and her team were proud to host the event and offered gerbera daisy decorated gift bags for everyone.
Don Matthews read a poem A Heart That We Have Treasured to honour the memory of the members who have since passed.
Anderson has enjoyed visiting the societies in her district and hopes to be invited to all of them. She touched on the convention, workshops, judges’ seminar, reports, Trillium fundraiser, constitution, webmaster, and supplies.
Peter Phillips outlined the financial report and budget for the year.
OHA representative Madeline Hobson is an enthusiastic supporter of OHA conventions and is very thankful never to have missed one since attending her first in 1970. She is glad the OHA is offering the Trillium on-line.
She was pleased to install the board of directors for 2011 – district director Anderson, assistant director Jane McDonald, secretary Laurel Strachan, treasurer Peter Phillips, and directors Bonnie Whitehead, Marilyn Hodgins, Frances Bouma, Clara Bauman, Beverley Farmer, Kathy Bouma.
For her faithful service as secretary, Jean Phillips was presented with a District Service award, from Anderson.
“She’s been my right hand gal for all these years,” Anderson said.
Guest speaker Julie Baumlisberger presented an informative look at growing specialty mushrooms at Windy Hill Farms. Starting on steam heated wheat straw, the blue, yellow, and brown oyster and shitake mushrooms are cultured, bagged, dated, and set in a holding room to grow.
Baumlisberger shared mushroom myths, composting benefits, places to buy her mushrooms, and cooking tips.
Chicken pasta primavera, savoury rice medley, and several salads were served for lunch along with trifle, fruit, and tarts for dessert.
Judge Gera Koster would like to have seen more entries with the number of people at the meeting, but was not disappointed. She pointed out the reasons for her prize ribbon choices and selected Melanie Marjoram’s Branching Out design for Judge’s Choice.
McDonald handed out the prize money to the show winners.
She created a rock kit for each society to share with the youth.
Guest speakers Ann and Bob Granatier showed through their presentation why bearded irises earn the name the rainbow flower. Following proper care and maintenance is most important as irises rely on hot, dry, well drained areas to flourish.
With 50,000 names registered and with 1,000 newcomers each year, colour patterns are as varied as the names. Bob Granatier has enjoyed some luck in creating awe inspiring irises. Many people purchased a plant or two to take home.
The fall meeting will be held Oct. 22 at the community hall in Clifford, with Harriston hosting the next AGM on April 21 as part of its 60 anniversary celebrations.
