Lifetime accolades and awards were the highlight of the annual general meeting of the Fergus Horticultural Society on Nov. 18 at the Victoria Park Seniors Centre.
President Kathy Bouma welcomed 85 members and guests to the turkey and ham potluck dinner.
The guests included Walt Visser, representing Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj for Centre Wellington, Public Works Director Ken Elder and Jack Karn of Public Works, and Parks and Recreation Director Andy Goldie
Life Membership awards were presented to Rienk and Roberta Vlietstra and Ken McManus.
The Vlietstras have held various executive positions and served on many committees throughout their years with the society.
Roberta Vlietstra worked on the Communities in Bloom committee that Fergus won provincially in 1998 and nationally in 1999. She co-chaired the 150th anniversary celebration held at the Wellington County Museum and served on the District 7 board of directors, and currently co-ordinates the society’s archives.
Rienk Vlietstra, is one of those people who is handy. His pride and joy is the society’s millennium project at Terry Fox Park.
The pergola was designed and built from reclaimed hydro poles and new beds were added to receive peonies, hybrid irises and daylilies.
McManus has given freely of his time and expertise. He has held numerous positions on the board of directors and on various committees. Civic beautification is his forte. His love of dahlias can be seen in many of the community gardens. In the past, he worked extensively on the revitalization of the society’s flagship, Templin Gardens.
He continues to work with the society’s Diggin’ in the Dirt group in the yearly planting of this historical installation.
McManus also co-chaired the society’s 150th anniversary celebration and continues to serve on committees.
Kathy Bouma also presented her President’s awards to a member in the recognition of outstanding contributions. Doreen Telford, Helen Lacroix, Cheryl Yuill, Elena North, and Meg Walsh are this year’s recipients.
Another point of interest of the evening was the presentation of the show and trophy awards for 2009. Those were presented by show chairman Liz Redshaw. The include:
– Pioneer trophy, Kathy Bouma;
– Mabel Reid memorial, Julie Kron;
– Rose Bowl, Betty Knight;
– President’s trophy, Vic Reimer;
– Bristow, Mary Reimer;
– Royal Bank, Julie Kron;
– Bank of Nova Scotia Trophy – Mary Reimer; and
– Colwyn Trophy, Colleen Pearse.
District 7 director Doreleen Anderson installed the officers and directors for 2010: president, Helen Lacroix; vice president, Roberta Vlietstra; secretary, Doreen Telford; treasurer, Jennifer Johnson; past president, Kathy Bouma; and directors Alec Calder, Julie Kron, Lloyd Lougheed, Randy McLean, Joan McWilliam, Ron Stevenson, Darlene Tremblay, and Ted VanderVeen.
To view the activities and photos of the society visit http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/fergushs.
