Margaret Reidt and Mary Cuculich of the Harriston and District Horticultural Society met council to invite it to a garden party this June.
Reidt thanked council for its support throughout town. She read an email from the chairman of the civic beautification committee. It stated the society is “at the mercy of the streetscape committee regarding the cement planters.”
It noted that the bridge and the planters are to be painted black – but planting cannot happen until the painting is done, and they anticipated there would be no planting done until the first week of June.
Reidt said each of the town’s four entrance signs are maintained by different individuals. The society’s youth group is growing and the coming garden festival now has 20 vendors so far. One of those offers solar lights and holders.
Reidt added the group is offering something new – a garden party. That will be on June 7 at the park on Mill Street – the day after the garden festival.
People are invited to bring lawn chairs and dress for the event. “Men … come in your most colourful shirt … Hawaiian, or otherwise. Ladies, are invited to come in their best decorated hat: fancy dress or casual. Various refreshments would be made available.
Later, she asked council to suggest making use of an open lot as a community garden plot for apartment dwellers with no land, or to help the food bank
“It would allow people to grow some of their own vegetables,” Reidt said. “Everyone could plant their own garden.”
Councillor Rick Hembly said Listowel is doing that.
Reidt said it is something that has been started in many communities. She said that while she is not certain what land might be available, “It would be nice to for people to plant their own garden to have fresh vegetables.”
