October 2006
President’s Message

After reading the OHA Trillium 100th Anniversary Edition magazine, I was inspired to suggest that we add a monthly “Who inspired you to become a gardener” column to our newsletter. The edition had many excerpts from members telling their earliest memories of why and when they started gardening. I thought it would be great to hear some of our own members’ stories.

My earliest memory was of my grandfather’s garden. Actually it was two city lots full of vegetables. Being an Italian immigrant, my grandfather had his garden full of tomatoes….. of course as well as fava beans, rapini, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, pole beans, garlic and peas. His crops were always plentiful, and he would save his seeds from year to year. Come to think of it my Aunt Lea had a couple of vacant city lots full of vegetables, so she could feed an army if she had to. They wouldn’t think of giving up those lots to build houses. Their gardens came first, and they lived them large.

But, as far as flower gardens go, my first real inspiration came from the beautiful displays of English gardens in Victoria magazine with their wonderful hydrangea, foxglove, peonies and bachelor buttons and since then, Ruby McLeod’s amazing lily beds.

I suppose my gardens reflect a hint all of those early inspirations and more.

“Show me your garden & I shall tell you what you are.”
Alfred Austin

Darlene Lecour
President

Next meeting

Tuesday, October 24th
General meeting 7:30 p.m.
Guest speaker: Janet Vos
Herbs 101

Tuesday, November 28th
Annual meeting 7:30 p.m.
Election of officers
Guest speaker: John Tripp
Indoor gardening…more than just African violets!

GARDENING GUIDE

Mid October to Mid November
Complete fall garden clean up.
Continue mowing lawn until grass stops growing; drop blade one setting for last mowing.
Fertilize deciduous trees and shrubs after leaves have fallen; applied now, it is taken up by the roots and stored for next spring.
Complete all fall-preparation lawn activities started in September by the end of October.
Make notes about garden successes and disasters.
Clean and oil garden tools and power tools before storing for the winter.
Winterize gas mowers.
Wrap burlap or plastic mesh around evergreens and thoroughly water evergreens before ground freezes.
Shut off outdoor faucets to prevent pipes from freezing. Disconnect garden hoses, drain and store in a frost free location.
Mulch roses, strawberries, bulbs and perennials.
Plant amaryllis, paperwhites, crocus, daffodils and tulips to force indoors for winter blooms.
Make Christmas wreaths and gifts with dried flowers, cones and branches.

It has been a real pleasure being the Society’s Archivist/Photographer for the last four years, but it’s time for me to step aside and let someone else have some fun in this area. During that time, I learned a lot about the History of the North Bay Horticultural Society and the great people who share their love of gardening. If you are interested, please call Betty at 752-3979.

We need a few new members are needed on the executive; we would love you to share your thoughts, and ideas for the society in 2007!
No experience necessary - you work with the other executive members as a team!
We have the following committees: Publicity, Membership, Social, Library, Bursary, Plant Sale, Flower Show, Social, Lung Assn., Phone Committee, Green Thumb, and Civic Beautification.
Please consider joining us when your nomination committee member calls!

Website of the month
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew have issued a position paper on global warming, citing human activities such as expansion of cities, deforestation and increasing greenhouse gas emissions as some of the causes. It is advising British gardeners to water carefully, in the right places; use mulches and organic materials to retain soil moisture; minimize water loss using shade plants and windbreaks, and group potted plants together to increase humidity. For more information, please go to the following website -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5336458.stm

Master Gardener’s Hotline 495-0920
Have a gardening question? Leave a message on their answering machine and local Master Gardener volunteer will call back with an answer! A free service.

Thanks to Vickie Wiemer for the feedback to our gardening on TV listing. Recreating Eden is a wonderful gardening show on Vision TV (Cable ch. 24, Bell Expressvu ch. 650, Wednesdays at 8 p.m, repeated Saturdays at 7 p.m.).
Recreating Eden presents intimate portraits of gardeners from Canada and around the world. The Gemini Award-winning series celebrates the uniquely spiritual aspect of gardens: their power to transform the lives of individuals and whole communities.
Communities in Bloom FRONT YARD GARDEN CONTEST WINNERS

Multiplex Category: Apartment Building 935 Stockdale Rd.
Business: Nipissing Orthopedic Laboratory Inc. 269 Airport Rd.
Residential Category: Aurelia Khey 103 Kathyrn Cres.

*Nipissing Environmental Watch* ORGANIC GARDEN CONTEST WINNERS
Dana Tremblay, 222 Janey Ave. North Bay. Best-Looking Organic Yard,
Jane Matthieu, 316 Donald Ave. North Bay. Effective use of Garden Art
Dorothy & Bob Taylor,215 High St. Callander . Best use of a Rugged Landscape
Cindy Lalande, 1108 Fraser St. North Bay. Best Heritage Garden Look

Youth is like spring, an over-praised season more remarkable
for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower
season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.
- Samuel Butler

Interview with a gardener…

When did you start gardening?
My mum got me gardening from an early age, giving my sister and I a small section of her garden to plant whatever we wanted.

What was the first thing you planted?
She and my sister grew only flowers, but I thought that was just a waste of time when you could plant something you could eat. I started with beans and beets, I think. I remember my mum encouraging us to enter a few things in the local horticultural society’s flower show (just outside Montreal) and the pride I had from winning a ‘honourable mention’ ribbon.

Where do you get inspiration now?
My friends inspire me the most. Audrey has me now growing all sorts of herbs to experiment with in the kitchen and another friend has inspired me to try to find room amongst all the flowers to grow more vegetables again, for there is nothing like home grown vegetables.

Recipe of the month
This recipe comes from Audrey and Geri’s Herb Workshop and is the most requested recipe!!!
Cheddar and sun-dried tomato bread
Preparation time: 20 mins. Makes one loaf. Baking time : 1 hour

¼ c. finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, in oil (or hydrated overnight in water)
2½ c. flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. finely chopped rosemary
1 c. grated old cheddar cheese
¼ c. chopped green onion
2 Tbsp. parsley
1 egg
1½ c. buttermilk (or sour milk)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. oil from tomatoes (or 2 more Tbsp. of veg. oil)
1 garlic clove, crushed

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease loaf pan. Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add rosemary, grated cheese, onion, and parsley. Make a well in centre of bowl. In a small bowl, beat egg; then add buttermilk, oils and garlic. Whisk until blended. Pour into flour mixture. Stir until just combined. Stir in tomatoes until well distributed. Turn into greased pan. Smooth top.
Bake for about 60-65 mins. or until skewer comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool on rack. Cut when cool. Freezes well.

PLEASE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO LUG YOUR MUG !!
Help us protect the environment!!

Need to contact us with comments, questions or suggestions?
North Bay Horticultural Society
P.O. Box 1482, North Bay, ON P1B 8K6
Website : Go to www.gardenontario.org and follow the links!
Email : [email protected]

Treasurer’s report to Sept. 30/06

Investment savings $4,218.66
Bank statement as of Aug 31/06 $1,829.08
Deposit $ 535.00
Outstanding cheques x 4 $468.16
Total current account $ 751.23

Expenditures
Horticultural meetings $ 25.00
Civic beautification $ 180.90
Green Thumb $ 238.00
Bank charges $ 5.00
Misc. (T-shirts) $ 124.26
Total expenditures $ 573.16
Receipts

Membership $ 55.00
Miscellaneous (T-shirts) $ 480.00
Total receipts $ 535.00

North Bay Horticultural Society
General meeting minutes
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Held at Christ Church, 890 Vimy Street, North Bay, Ontario

President Darlene Lecour call the meeting to order at 7:10pm. 43 members were in attendance. Darlene welcomed the membership to this evening’s Potluck Supper.
Business

Minutes of the June 27, 2006 General Meeting Minutes were MOVED to be adopted by Debbie Caldwell. CARRIED.
MOTION to accept the Treasurer’s Report. MOTION to accept as presented by Geri Openshaw. SECONDED by Carol Ann Gingras.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Civic Beautification Report – given by Ruby McLeod.
Ruby reviewed the Society beds. Canadore College has 5 beds and were well done this year. Dellandrea Place and the Chamber of Commerce had two tubs which did well. Waterfront bed experienced vandalism this year – had to replace damaged flowers with 8 flats. Lily beds at the Library have done poorly. Ruby has experienced difficulty recruiting help to maintain this bed. Brainstorming is required to recruit committed volunteers. Three options were presented: 1. Retire the lily bed. 2. Return the bed to the city. 3. Commitment from membership to maintain this bed. A big thank you to all volunteers who maintained these beds over the past season.

Green Thumb Report. No report.

Programming. The October 24th meeting will host Janet Vos speaking on Herbs.

Phone Committee. Audrey Morton could use some help with fall gardening at her home.

Membership. No report.

Social Committee. Require two volunteers to bring dessert to next General Meeting.

OHA Convention Report by Vickie Wiemer. Well attended with more than 550 delegates. OHA slide and print competition were great. Membership should consider entering. Conference guest speakers were very interesting and informative. The highlight of the conference was the “Conga Line” bringing together 400 delegates in dance and fun. The OHA was presented with $229,000 over 36 months by The Honourable Madeline Maier and Gisele Richard (Trillium Grant). These monies are to provide workshops to the membership and increase membership by 15%. At the general meeting the membership passed the new constitution with 2 amendments:
1. New District Director takes over responsibilities at OHA Annual District Meeting.
2. Length of time to sit on board is 2 years for key board positions.

Betty Morrison of Huntsville was awarded the OHA Youth Award. The Trillium Newsletter is available through the Society 4 times a year. The 100th Anniversary Edition is available this year. Recommend membership to subscribe.

Nominating committee

Darlene asked for volunteers to sit on this year’s Nominating Committee which requires 2 executive and 3 volunteers from the general membership. The new Board will take over this spring. Volunteers are: Geri Openshaw, Maureen Ranger, Rosalyn Charland, Monica McLaren, Helen Bannerman. Annual reports are due at the next Executive Meeting.

Flower Show Report.
The Show was a great success with lots of entries and great volunteer involvement. This show greatly enhanced the Society’s image. June awarded Certificates in the different categories:

Most points in show Adrian van der Bijl
Finest Arrangement in Show Vickie Wiemer
Fruits & Vegetables Audrey Morton
McAllister Memorial (best house plant) Ruby McLeod
Fruits Audrey Morton
Henry Weisman Sue Greig
Best Red Rose Sue Greig
Best Pink Rose Sue Greig
Best White Rose Sue Greig
Best Yellow Rose Audrey Morton
Hybrid Tea Roses Sue Finnis
Lily Ruby McLeod
Champion Basket Annie McGee
Most Points in Show Adrian van der Bijl
Best Arrangement in Show Adrian van der Bijl

Thanks to Betty Foy for preparing the certificates. Looking forward to a huge show in 2007. Show does require revamping with the update of the “Show Manual/Flower Book”. Require a planning group of 5 in January & February & July to prepare for the 2007 Show. Five volunteers were recruited at this time.

Ruth will take over Society T-shirt sales from June.
Looking for volunteer to be the Society’s photographer. Mike de Moree was suggested by June.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Heritage Gardeners are hosting an Education Night at the Motherhouse September 28 at 7:00pm – video titled Fall Gardening.
OHA District 18 Fall Workshop in Huntsville. Guest speaker features the Circle of Life – Medicine Wheel. Isla Reed to attend. Door prizes were awarded to 5 winners.
Adjournment

MOTION to adjourn by Deborah Emmerson. SECONDED by Louise Cicci. CARRIED.

Guest Speaker: Michael De Moree on Garden Photography.
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Membership Renewal Form November 2006
Please fill out and bring to general meeting with your payment. Or mail to:
North Bay Horticultural Society, PO Box 1482, North Bay, ON P1B 8K6

Single Membership…………$10:00 (please circle desired membership)

Family Membership…………$15:00

Name:______________________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________________

Postal code:____________________ Phone number:__________________

If you would like your Green Thumb emailed, please include your email address:

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