The Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club held its annual AGM and Christmas Potluck at a new date and time – moving the event to this past Saturday, and an earlier hour, at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre.
The centre was decorated for the festivities, with bright tablecloths and poinsettia centrepieces, and 50 or so members of the club brought dishes of savouries and sweets, to share at the 1 p.m. potluck.
They enjoyed a meal, entered a draw for a painting donated by artist and member Kathy Bury, then got down to business - approving the minutes and the treasurer’s report, and applauding the presentation of awards that recognized the 2019 winners in the monthly flower shows.
Congratulations to:
Best Design (June Show), sponsored by BMO – Sherry Morrow.
Best Exhibit-Class “B” (June Show) – Janet Mills
Vegetable Award, sponsored by RBC – Marie Tizzard
Arrangements, sponsored by Bradford Greenhouses – Sherry Morrow
Perennials, sponsored by Ferragine Greenhouses – Janet Mills
Annuals, sponsored by Scotiabank – Jan Evans
Best Exhibit-Class A-D in the September Show – Gladys Fieldhouse
Best Exhibit-Class F in the September Show – Marie Tizzard
Best Design in the September Show – Diane Reynolds
Rose Bowl for Best Rose in Show trophy – Maureen Evans.
Rose High Points, sponsored by Gladys Fieldhouse – Maureen Evans.
Most Points overall – Sherry Morrow, with 88 points.
The afternoon also included the swearing-in of the new executive for 2020, by special guest Linda Forster, Ontario Horticultural Association District 16 Director.
The club will once again have co-presidents, with Mikki Nanowski and Giselle Gutsche sharing the role; JoAnne Norton will be past president and secretary; Linda Stewart - VP, and Larry Weir – treasurer. Sworn in as directors were Jean Calder, Linda Stewart, Sherry Morrow, Diane Reynolds, and Jane Savoy (absent).
2019 was a busy year, said Past President JoAnne Norton. The club participated in the Bradford library’s first Seedy Saturday event, and manned a booth at the Bradford Farmers’ Market several times over the summer, signing up new members and engaging with kids.
There were special speakers at the monthly meetings, including Paul Zammit for the Club’s 44th anniversary; field trips to interesting gardens and seminars; and a Halloween cookie-decorating session that brought members back to their childhood. And they planted a pollinator garden at the centre, that has won praise.
Next year, Norton said, the Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club will be busier than ever.
The next meeting of the Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club will be in March 2020.
