Horticultural Society Newsletter www.newwesthortsociety.org October 2019 AUCTION ACTION: side of the slip. Tonight’s Meeting • Get your bids tallied: Once you Tues, Oct 8, 7:30 With this being potentially the final have everything gathered togeth- NWHS Silent Auction, some mem- Silent Auction er, get a tallier (identifiable by the Contest entries due bers have gone full-out tossing items clipboards they are carrying) to towards the auction tables. Thank you. Christmas Party Tickets on sale total your winning bids. Nominations for Christmas charity We have a fantastic selection. The fol- • Go to the cashier: All tallied? lowing pointers will guide you in getting Great! Proceed to the cashier Mark Your Calendar the items you covet and ease your way with your money or cheque pay- out the door with your treasures. UBC Applefest: able to NWHS. Sat, Oct 19; Sun, Oct 20, 11am-4pm • Bidder number: Get yours in the • Gloat: Drool over all the great foyer. UBC Botanical Garden items you got for a super deal and 6804 SW Marine Drive, • Place a bid: If an item has a bid- feel confident that you have con- ding slip, you can put down a bid. www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca tributed to the coffers of NWHS. Glenbrooke Ravine Your bidder number goes on the GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN! left side of the slip; your bid on the Invasive Species Removal: same line, on the right side. Your PRESIDENT’S CORNER by Lorna: Sat, Oct 26, 10am-1pm bid can equal the starting bid or The hard work of removing the Do you always believe what the News unwanteds is over. Join the crew for increase the previous high bid by a and Weather forecasters say? Re- the final work bee of 2019 when the multiple of 10¢. cently, I was in the Maritimes arriving native plants are planted. • Make sure you are writing on the 5 days after Hurricane Dorian went [email protected] right slip: Double check that the thru. I saw some trees down or evi- slip you are bidding on matches the dence of where large limbs had bro- BC Council of Garden Clubs item you want. If uncertain, speak Fall Meeting: ken off or trees completely uprooted Sat, Oct 26, 9am-4pm with Audrey. and many piles of branches on the Bonsor Banquet Hall • Keep a list of your coveted items: sides of the road. It was not nearly 2nd floor, Bonsor Recreation Complex When you are checking out the as bad in most areas that I visited as 6550 Bonsor Ave, room, keep a list of the items that the News reports made it out to be. Registration for this event via NWHS interest you so you can monitor Sure, there was the construction crane is past. If you still want to attend, go their bidding action. This list is that came down in Halifax that they thru www.gardenclubs.com invaluable later when you are col- were still making sure everything was Remember to bring your own mug, lecting your treasures. safe before starting the removal. The soup bowl, plate, cutlery & napkin • 5 minute warning: You will be news repeatedly showed the same Century House Craft Sale & Tea alerted when there is 5 minutes trees that were downed. Some situa- Sat, Nov 2, 10am-2pm before the auction ends. tions reminded me of our September Century House • Bidding over: At the end of bid- speaker’s examples of developers’ bad 620 Eighth St, NW ding, you must exit the auction tree planting. I think the number of NWHS AGM & Regular Nov Meeting: area while a crew highlights all the trees downed was no worse than the Tues, Nov 12, 7:30pm winners and their winning bids. ’s summer windstorm AGM: Elections for 2020 Executive • Gathering your items: When in- of 2015. Sadly, Cavendish Camp- Christmas charity vote structed, gather all your won items site in PEI National Park is reported Container Contest vote and their slips. Double check you to have lost 80% of their trees. Its Christmas party tickets on sale have the correct slip for each item devastation is comparable to the 2006 Speaker: Kathryn Friesen on “How and that you are the winner. damage to Stanley Park. The biggest Do I Leave My Garden?/Finding Your Quiet Centre in a New Space” • Boxes and bags: There will be effect of Dorian in the Maritimes was boxes under the tables available for the power outages, lasting from a NWHS Christmas Crafting: you to use. Also a limited number few hours to a week in more remote Mon, Nov 18 to Sun, Dec 8 of bags at the podium if you have areas. The cleanup in the towns & 9:00am-9:30pm by appointment only a few items. cities was quickly done by the citizens 117 Seventh Ave, basement • Look for un-bid-upon items: Of- & military. The overall quick recovery (Extensive details next month) ten, once the bid-upon items are is a testament to the rugged stalwart NWHS Christmas Party removed from the tables, other nature of the Maritime people. The Tues, Dec 10, 6-9pm items that were not bid upon be- positive side of the downed trees is Centennial Lodge come evident. You can add these that there will not be a shortage of Ticket must be pre-purchased to your stash by paying the starting firewood this year. Members $20, guest $25 bid amount. Make sure you put (see article) your bidder number on the left

1 New Westminster Horticultural Society October 2019 NEXT MONTH’S PRESENTATION: NWHS CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS: Party tickets on sale tonight: Because In Nov, Kathyrn Friesen of Bloomsbury As many of you know we culminate of the catered meal, tickets must be Designer Gardens Ltd tackles the situa- the calendar year by having a PARTY. purchased to attend the event. As with tion that most of us will face in our life- Instead of a regular general meeting in many club functions, your attendance times: When it becomes time to down- Dec, we enjoy an evening of friendship is subsidized by NWHS. The price: size and leave your home and garden, with our fellow club members. Loca- NWHS members, $20; guest, $25. how do you evaluate your new space so tion is the same (Centennial Lodge) but There are only 100 tickets available. that you retain that special connection the evening starts off a bit earlier. The See Ellen Berg at the Treasurer’s table with the outside? She will talk about doors open at 6pm. At 6:30 the catered tonight to purchase yours. To eliminate important considerations to look for in buffet opens. We chow-down until 7:30 confusion with the auction, ticket sales the new space and how you can make and the rest of the evening is taken up end 15 minutes after business ends. the transition from “land gardening” to with our most amazing Christmas draw Tickets cannot be purchased in con- “sky gardening”. Her company special- interspersed with photo & container junction with the payment of your auc- izes in small space gardens—in trans- contest awards, the trivial trivia quiz tion items. The monies go into separate forming patios, balconies, courtyards and socializing. It is a fun evening. We accounts. Cash or cheque payable or rooftops into garden rooms. She is party until about 9pm. Dress is “nice to NWHS acceptable. After tonight, based in New Westminster and can be casual” and up. Please hold off on the contact Ellen at home (see contacts contacted through her website: https:// fragrance. listing) to purchase tickets. If there are bloomsburygarden.com still some available, they will be sold at The feast menu: the Nov meeting. Until Dec 1, you can ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Our mouth-watering meal is created by get a refund if you are forced to change This precedes our regular Nov general Austin Caterers. your plans. In the past there has been meeting. We anticipate it will be quick Lavishly described by them: a ticket waiting list. If, after Dec 1, you as the only item on the agenda is the • Slow roasted sliced free-range tur- discover you cannot use your ticket, selection of the 2020 NWHS Executive key with cranberry-apple compote please consult with Ellen regarding Committee. & giblet gravy the waiting list before you privately • Prawn & chicken creole jambalaya broker your ticket. It seems only right Our Executive Committee: This group with Chorizo sausage that NWHS members should have first of 10 members are the ultimate over- • Ricotta lasagne vegetarian chance to attend the party. seers of all NWHS activities. There • Butter whipped potatoes are other committees (eg fundraising, • Gourmet cranberry apple stuffing All seating is reserved: We learned refreshments) who have areas of re- • Winter root veggies from experience that this eliminates a sponsibility and individuals (eg Audrey) • Vegetable crudité basket with lot of confusion and disappointment who take on certain tasks but these are dipping sauces (fresh carrot sticks, party night. When you purchase your ultimately under the guidance of the celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, ticket(s), make sure you tell Ellen your executive. The executive has the final zucchini, cucumber, cherry toma- seating preferences. Do you want to say in all club activities. toes & other seasonally available sit with specific friends? At a specific items. Served with creamy veg- table location. Some tables seat a The Executive positions and their etable dip) maximum of 7, others 8. terms: • Antipasto platter, an assortment of • President: 2years international pickles (stuffed olives, CHRISTMAS CRAFTING SESSIONS: • Vice President: 2 years sun-dried tomatoes, marinated ar- For a brief couple of weeks, Audrey’s • Treasurer: 2 years tichokes, onions, spicy green beans, basement seems so spacious. The si- • Secretary: 2 years gherkins, pickled asparagus, roasted lent auction stuff is gone. The crafting • 6 Members-at-Large: 2 years red peppers, pickled pearl onions & materials are still boxed. Once they are To ensure continuity on the executive, baby dills) unpacked, and Crafting Central is set each year half of the positions come up • Cranberry sauce up, the fun begins. We get to play with for election. Because of internal move- • Empress salad (baby spring greens, all the fantastic Christmas stuff and cre- ment within the executive, we have a fresh seasonal berries, diced ate the prizes for the Christmas Party unique situation for a term that expires cucumber, cherry tomatoes & pine Draw. The crafting sessions start Nov in 2020. Next month, we will be elect- nuts with a honey raspberry vinai- 18 and end Dec 7. Working with fresh ing persons to fill these positions: grette). materials is restricted to the daylight • President: 2 years • Spinach & candied pecan salad hours of the final weekend. The aim is • Treasurer: 2 year (baby spinach with candied pecans, to make 80 draw prizes. The sessions • Members at Large: 1 for 1 year + 3 goats cheese, cherry tomatoes & are an excuse to socialize while having for 2 years. red grapes served with a citrus creative fun. Lots of around-the-table dressing) discussions on many topics. Ideal for Nominations: • Fresh bread rolls & whipped butter those of you (and your friends—non- At the moment, we are delighted that • An assortment of Christmas des- NWHS members welcome) who love we have a full slate of nominees. How- serts & pastries, mince tarts and making stuff but don’t really have room ever, nominations are still open until shortbreads (one plate per table) for your finished projects. Mind you, a the voting at the Nov AGM. If you are • Gourmet fruit display (watermelon, huge number of people at the Christ- interested in any position or would like golden pineapple, kiwi, honeydew, mas Party, pick their creation when to nominate a fellow member, please oranges, cantaloupe, apples, straw- their number is drawn. talk with Audrey An actual election berries & other seasonally available would be exciting. fruits).

2 New Westminster Horticultural Society October 2019 The Crafting Calendar: OUR CHRISTMAS CHARITY: FLOWER ARRANGING COURSE: Come Nov, the sign-up calendar will be We give half (roughly $400) of the pro- November 30 Sign Up Deadline: available for you to record when you ceeds of our Christmas Party Draw to a Some people call it Floral Art, some call would like to craft. The basement is charity. Who it will be for 2019 is up to it Flower Arranging. Whatever… it is available from 9am to 9pm, seven days you. Tonight we are asking for nomina- creating a thing of beauty using plant a week for the three weeks. But craft- tions (put them in the box in the kitchen material and, sometimes, accessories. ing only occurs when you tell Audrey. when you go in for a snack). In Nov, we If you are one of many who try to put Daytime hours are preferred by her vote by ballot. Some guidelines: local, together a floral arrangement for your as she tends to crash in the evenings. compassionate, horticultural/gardening. table and it looks just “ho-hum”, this Evenings are available because not These are hints, not defining criteria. Do course is for you. It will be a chance for everyone can come during the day you know of a likely group? When you you to learn skills so that you can cre- and we don’t want to limit people’s submit your nomination, please include ate eye-popping arrangements instead. chance to participate. Using normal the groups name, a brief description and NWHS is planning to take advantage materials, 4-5 crafters can fit around your name. Alternately you can email of the BC Council of Garden Clubs the table. When using fresh materials, your nomination to Lorna (see contacts offer of a Level 1 Floral Art Course. It the number is reduced to 2-3. So, in listing) prior to the Nov meeting. It is is ideal for beginners who have never Nov, write on the calendar (full name nice to spread the money around but done any flower arranging before or & contact info) when you would like this doesn’t mean groups we have given for those wanting to brush up on their to attend. People usually do a 2-3 to previously are not eligible. We col- skills. This introductory course will hour shift. Remember Audrey needs lect fresh nominations each year. If you be comprised of 6 two-hour sessions, to go grocery shopping and eat. Once nominated a group last year, to get it on starting late March. The sessions will your name is on the calendar, Audrey the ballot, you must re-nominate it. be a combination of demos and hands- will confirm your attendance during on workshops. The emphasis of the the evening prior. Your name on the Past Recipients of our Christmas Party Level 1 course is Table Centerpieces. calendar is not engraved in stone. You Donation: Each session will concentrate on a can change your mind. Give Audrey a 2018: Normanna Care Home specific form: vertical, triangle, asym- heads up as soon as you know of any 2017: Richard McBride School Garden metrical, crescent, inverted crescent change in your plans. It is really a lot 2016: The Lookout Society and Hogarth’s curve (“S” shaped). We of fun, even if you consider yourself 2015: Group of 5 & Friends Benevolent anticipate a dramatic increase exhibit “craft-challenged”. A good excuse to Society quality at our July show. The cost of socialize. NO fragrance please! 2014: Aunt Leah’s Place putting on the course is split amongst 2013: St Barnabas Community Church the participants. The more partici- Materials: Outreach pants, the lower the cost to each. With Yep, we have a lot-- but never say “no’ 2012: New West Victims Assistance 10 people, it will be about $110 per to donations—unless they are fragrant Assoc. person. Non-NWHS members are wel- (an absolute NO) or shed glitter. Our 2011: Honour House come to join in, with a slight surcharge contract with the Lodge stipulates “No 2010: Pacific Assistance Dog Society (probably $5). Supplies are extra but a Glitter”. It is hell to clean off the floors. (PADS) shared bulk purchase at United Floral is Some people call it “Devil’s Dandruff”. 2009: New West Family Place possible. At the moment, we have only Donations of Christmassy “stuff” can 2008: YMCA Vancouver Rooftop Food 4 who have registered. Contact Cindy be left at Audrey’s sheltered kitchen Garden Tatryn, [email protected] or 604-585- door (go up the concrete steps). Please 2007: Purpose Society 6786 with questions or to register. include your name so we can thank 2006: Crossroads Inlet Hospice Society The deadline to sign-up is Nov 30, 5pm. you (at least mentally). Thanks, much 2005: New West Salvation Army After that date, details will be finalized. appreciated. 2004: Royal Columbian Auxiiary GARDEN BROOMS: PRUNINGS WANTED: 2003: Union Gospel Mission Drop-In Yes, Kwantlen Park School (Surrey) is Are you planning on doing fall pruning Centre still selling these great brooms as a Dry of your deciduous trees and shrubs? 2002: Alzheimer’s Society of BC Grad Fundraiser. We haven’t publicized Well, don’t lug them to the recycling 2001: Monarch House this recently but with the upcoming centre or snip them into small pieces 2000: Lord Kelvin School Community gifting season, we thought we should for your green bin. Audrey can use Garden put out the word again. They make a them for her annual light display. Ide- 1999: Wildlife Rescue great Christmas gift. If you would like ally, she wants well-branched, strong 1998: Royal City Humane Society one, give Audrey $20 to place your limbs with no more than a 2” diameter 1997: New West Food Bank order. Our deadline to take orders is at the base. Length: probably at least 1996: New West Food Bank Dec 1 (5pm, of course). Unless there 3’, longer is great. Contact her (see is a huge number ordered early, all or- contacts listing) when you prune. She ders will be held until Dec 1 as getting collects them on her front lawn. Thx. the brooms is quite labor intensive. Audrey’s contact must first get them FLORISSA: To everyone who par- from their source and then get them to ticipated in the fall fundraiser, NWHS O H Audrey who will phone you on their ar- H O thanks you. We added $363 to the O rival. The Dec 1st deadline is to ensure H

club’s coffers. Next step: get those you get your brooms in plenty of gift

bulbs planted! There should be some giving time. gorgeous spring gardens.

3 New Westminster Horticultural Society October 2019 PLANT A ROW, GROW A ROW: NWHS SHARING by Linda Turnbull • Volunteer to be a speaker at one With the last day for Sunday produce I think NWHS and sharing are synony- of our meetings or suggest one drop-off past, Andrea Buonassisi, the mous. If you are new to NWHS, wel- • Suggest an outing or workshop program’s keen communication expert, come! • Participating in NWHS & city com- emailed this thank you to the program’s munity improvement projects participants:“Hi ‘Plant a row’ friends: I have been a member since 2003. I have • Volunteering to be a Host garden We have had a wonderful donation also been a member of several other for the annual garden tour summer thanks to you! The fresh veg- garden clubs, but, I think NWHS is the • Free table in the Foyer (donate or gies and fruit have been most welcome best. Why?? Because this is a ‘social’ take free) and appreciated at Union Gospel club with a broad range of interests in • Seed Exchange (donate seed or Mission in New Westminster. Also, gardening. NWHS members are welcom- take free) please mark down Thursday, March ing and non judgemental. All abilities • Participate in ‘other’ fundraisers 12, 6-9 pm, 2020 for our annual ‘Plant are welcome, from the ‘arm chair’ eg: Florissa a row-Grow a row’ Spring Gardeners’ gardener to the ‘obsessed’. The flex- Party. Join us for an enjoyable garden- ibilities of the members in accepting I have probably left out something you ing evening and bring along your family different approaches are outstanding. can do to be involved but I think this and friends! Thanks again and happy What really makes NWHS the best is is a fairly comprehensive list. Pick one gardening, Andrea and Claude & the how involved the members are in the or come up with a new one, NWHS is NW ‘Plant a row’ volunteers”. It is a club. Participation is key to its success open and to be enjoyed. Just talk to win-win program. NWHS is proud of and to the enjoyment derived from be- someone on the executive or use the the members who generously take ing a member. The amount of time you suggestion box. The ‘give and take’ in part. have to be involved is very wide ranging. NWHS is extraordinary. You will find You, the member, get to decide how by participating you get much more PHOTO & CONTAINER CONTESTS: much and when without feeling obliged. than you give. Many lasting friendships It is going to be interesting to see what If you are a novice at something, there have also resulted in being an involved experiences and observations you is always a member with experience to member. caught on your cameras. You’ve done help. New ideas and experiences are the hard part—taking your photos and always welcomed. Sharing your time and/or abilities is evaluating which are best. The actual what makes NWHS so pleasant and entering of the contests is simple. All Some of the ways to participate and get successful. entries should be submitted at the involved. podium tonight. If you encounter any • Be on the executive problems, Audrey is the person to talk • Take the lead on an event with. The detailed rules are at the • Volunteer for a shift on the tea podium. CONTACTS: committee Lorna Cloutier: President • Bring something for the monthly 604-524-1942 or Photo Contest: At the podium select tea [email protected] an exhibitor’s number. This goes on the • Annual plant sale (wide range of back of each of your entries instead of activities from delivering plants to Diane Perry: Vice-President, your name. There is an envelope for Refreshments selling plants) [email protected] each of the 4 categories. Just put your • Start seeds for the plant sale or pictures into the appropriate enve- donate plants for the plant sale Ellen Berg: Treasuer, Christmas Dinner lopes. You are allowed 3 entries for • Work a shift at the annual plant sale Tickets each category. 604-525-7827 or • Work a shift at our monthly in-club [email protected] plant and garden table Container Contest: There is a stash of • Volunteer to set up or take down Audrey Barnes: Christmas Crafts, blank envelopes at the podium. Please Garden Brooms, Contests, tables, chairs or tents at various Executive Nominations use one for each of your entries. You club events. can submit 3 entries. For each entry, 117 Seventh Ave • Join one of the club workshops 604-526-8284 (before 8pm) or please submit your photo(s) (up to 3 and meet people in a small group [email protected] permitted), your container’s plant list setting Trudy Findlay: Outings, Workshops and your name. Please do not write on • Join the ‘Sketching Club/Garden or seal the envelopes. 604-522-2665 or Gals’ for garden painting (men are [email protected] welcome too) 2020 COLOUR IN THE GARDEN: • Participate in the Container contest Janet Butts: At-meeting Sale Table Next year’s colour for the photo contest 604-435-3008 or and share your ideas for containers [email protected] is probably one of the most common • Participate in the Photo contest and but most overlook in gardens: Brown. share your garden photographic Richard Harrison: Seed Exchange This will get you looking at your gar- 604-544-2468 or images [email protected] dens in a new way. Images must be of • Participate in Bring to Share events vegetative material. • Participate in the Show bench and Merril Hall: Sketch Club 604-790-1321 or share your garden glories TREASURER’S REPORT - Sept 2019 • Participate in the Silent Auction [email protected] Total revenue: $434.50 (various tasks available) Sharon Seki: Spring Plant Sale Lead Total expenses: $874.26 • Christmas crafting for the Christmas 604-525-1611 or See the bulletin board for details. draw in a small group setting [email protected]

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