HomeMy WebLinkAbout943"Booklet, typewritten, 9 pages, dated 1993.
PICKERING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
""THE LAST SIXTY YEARS""
60
1033-1993
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"PICKERING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OFFICERS - 1933
Honorary President - W.H. Moore, MP
President - Wm Gormley
Vice Presidents - Mrs. Pearson
- Frank Hall
- F.M. Chapman, Miss M. Pennell, E.G. Stallon
Secretary-Treasurer Directors:
One Year
Miss M. Green E. Richardson F.T. Bunting Gerald Cowan Mrs. H. Arnold
Two Years
E.C. Jones W.C. Murkar Dr. Cartwright Miss A. Gourlie Mrs. B. Lotton
Auditors:
M.S. Chapman
Frank Prouse
PRESIDENTS OF PICKERING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
FOUNDED - 1933
William Gormley*,1933-34, Gerald P. Cowan*,1935-38, D.H.C. Pearson*,1939,
Frank M. chapman*,1940-42, E.A. Raines,1943-44, Cyril E. Morley,1945-47,
Roy Storms,1948, James Blackwe11,1949,, Leslie M. H Morley,1950-52,
W. Mottershead*,1953-54,Mrs. Ben Lotton*,1955-57,Ross Braybon,1958-59,
Gerald P Cowan*,1960-63,E.K. (Ted) Belt*,1964-65,Kenneth J. Cooper*,1966-68
Samuel C. Schulze, 1969-70, Eric Whaley 1971,Alan Neff,1972-73,Samuel C. Schulze,
1974,Stan Livingstone*,1975-77, Alan Neff,1978,Gordon Campbell,1979-81,
Rena Preston,1982-83 Barbara Twiner,1984-86, Allan Foss,1987,
Alan Jowitt,1988, Carol Davidson,1989-90, Jim McWilliam, 1991-92,
Dorothy Morrison, 1993.
*Deceased
"
"PICKERING HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS (1933 - 1983)
The Pickering Horticultural Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 1993.
since the beginning, capable leadership and enthusiastic members have helped to
maintain the vitality of the organization over the years. The following account of the
first five decades was researched and chronicled by one of those members,
Bev Jowitt to whom we are indebted.
Since its earliest days, the Horticultural Society has been concerned with the
education and the beautification of the community. On April 28, 1933,
an enthusiastic meeting was held in the Pickering Schoolroom for the purpose of
considering the formation of a Horticultural Society for Pickering and District.
Gerald Cowan, Mrs. Ben Lotton and Miss May Somerville are mentioned in those first
minutes.
Mr. John F. Clark was the first speaker to address the Society. On June 12, he gave
an illustrated lecture on ""Continuous Bloom in the Garden"". The first flower show was
held on Wednesday, August 23 in St. Andrew's Hall. All exhibits were to be in place by
1 o'clock. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m. Admission was 10 cents. Mrs. Lotton was
in charge of the tea booth. The summer was unusually hot and the number of exhibits
therefore reduced, but Mr. F.L. Green of Greenwood staged a beautiful display of
flowers. In the evening, there was a programme. A Mr. King judged the flowers which
were later sold by auction. Profits for this flower show were $14.00.
Later that year, lectures and illustrated talks were given by Stuart Thomson and
H.J. Moore. Admission was free to children. The final lecture of that year was given
by Mr. E. Grainger (a friend of Mr. Cowan). His topic was ""The Mystery and the
Message of the Flowers"", and he was paid S3.00 for his visit. Admission was not
charged for this lecture. Three hundred folders were printed in 1933 to advertise the
Society. A visit to the gardens of Parkwood in Oshawa was enjoyed that summer.
In 1934, the affiliation fee paid to the Ontario Horticultural Society was $1.00.
Miss Dixon and Mrs. Lotton were chosen as first delegates to the convention on
February 15 and 16 in the King Edward Hotel in Toronto. Arrangements for the Fall
Flower Show on August 22, 1934, were made by Dr. and Mrs. Cartwright and Cyril
Morley. One hundred and fifty exhibits were entered. Mrs. Lotton won the Horticultural
Ribbon of Merit for the highest number of points.
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In 1934 the Society cast its vote for the Trillium as its choice of a Provincial Flower.
The Society has tried to interest the school children in the growth and preservation of
plant life. In April, 1935 a resolution was passed deploring the destruction of quantities
of wild flowers. Letters were sent to the local schools to be read to the children by their
teachers. Trees were planted at three of the local schools, as well as in the Memorial
Park in Pickering Village to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Essay
contests and exhibitor classes open to children have been featured at various times.
In 1934 a young student named Mary Neil won a prize for her essay entitled ""My Wild
Flower Garden"". Perhaps this early recognition was the incentive that encouraged
Mary to pursue her great interest in flowers, in 1946 another young student named Joyce
Morley won a prize for her ""Winter Bouquet"". In the late 1940's and early 1950's the
May meeting was almost entirely devoted to school children. A school group would be
invited to perform (sing, dance, recite). The speaker of the evening would direct his talk
mostly to the young people. Packages of seeds would be distributed to each of the
students. After one of these meetings, the Society was informed that the boys of the
Pickering school were busy making window boxes for their seeds, under the direction
of their principal, Mr. R.T. Doble. It was interesting to note that in 1943, the sum of
$5.00 was set aside to buy forty packages of seeds, and the remainder of the money
was to be used to buy a trophy! Five dollars would not buy that much today!
In later years a Junior Gardener's club was formed. Their leaders and assistants have
been Bev Moore, Joy Carpenter, Laura Drake, Darlene Bacon, Marion Thomas,
Jean Livingstone and Barb Twiner.
In an attempt to expand its influence and increase its membership, the Society has
invited groups other than Horticultural groups to be quests at meetings. In 1937 the
November meeting was held in the Dunbarton United Church with the members of the
Y.P.U. present. Harold Anderson (later Postmaster) was President of that Young
Peoples' Group. In 1943 a joint meeting was held with the Women's Institute.
The speaker was Frances Steinhoff of the Women's Press Club, who spoke on
""Landscaping and Home Gardening"".
Lecturers from Government agencies, as well as prominent individuals, have spoken
to the Society. Hugh Halliday of the Toronto Star spoke on ""Canadian Birds""
in April, 1945. Reverend Melville Buttars of Pickering United Church spoke in 1956 on
""Your Avocation"". J.C. Richardson, principal of Pickering District High School spoke
on
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education- In 1961, Russ Gomme, Secretary of O.H.A. was a speaker. In 1963, Sid
Pugh, Superintendent of Greenwood Conservation Area spoke. Professor Orlob of
University of Toronto spoke in 1970 on ""Plant Illustration Through the Centuries11.
In January 1972 Dr. Gunter Voss of the Metro zoo spoke on ""Education, Research,
Conservation"". Peter Endersby spoke on ""New Varieties of Geraniums"".
Joe Schraven of Pickering Nurseries has been both speaker and judge,
in 1956, Wm. Hartnoll, the Old Garden Doctor, spoke. The Palmers from West Hill
have been frequent guests, presenting much helpful advice on the care of African violets,
Cyril Wyck of Brooklin and Maurice Slichter of Whitby have been speakers and judges.
Sam Schulze spoke on music boxes. MPP. Wm. Newman, County Reeve and
H.H. Westney, have been guests.
Society members have been most generous in the presentation of slides taken locally
and talking about trips to far away places. Cyril and Les Horley have shown slides of
trips west, east and to Britain, as well as of local gardens. Al Neff, D. Westney,
Dolores Smith, Ted Belt, K. Cooper, G, Cowan and Doris Hortop have also shown
beautiful slides. Who can forget Edith Oliphant's slides of Australia? The geraniums
were absolutely gorgeous and the variety of scenery just a delight to behold.
Bus trips and picnics have taken the members far afield. They have visited Kingston,
Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Orono and Peterborough. For a 1953 trip to Hamilton Rock
Garden and then to the Lily Show at the Royal Connaught Hotel, the bus fare was $2.40.
Games, prizes and picnic lunches were always a featured part of these trips.
One of the largest groups to go on the bus trip was on July 31, 1962 when eighty-three
members and friends went in two buses for a tour of the Jello Plant in Cobourg,
a Trent waterway tour, picnic lunch at Serpent Mounds on Rice Lake, a visit to the
Peterborough Lift Locks, then on the Burleigh Falls and back to Peterborough for
supper at Rockhaven Motel and thence home again to Pickering -a full day.
Tours of local gardens owned by G. cowan, J. Stock and E.L. Ruddy have also been
enjoyed.
Music, poetry, drama, films and even folk dances have been presented at meetings.
Almost every meeting featured some singing, instrumentals or elocution. In 1961
Mr. Newt Laughlin played the accordion, accompanied by his daughter at the piano>
On other occasions, Mr. Laughlin led the singing. Philomena Brandt and Chris Orlob
treated us to skits, recitations and songs at one of our Christmas parties (1972).
In 1975 a very talented Barbershop Quartet appeared at our Christmas party-
Members were Stan Livingstone, Ken Cooper, Al Neff and Cyril Morley.
Under the capable direction of Doris Hortop, dramatic talent also was revealed.
A skit by Stan and Jean Livingstone, Cleone and Al Neff and Edith
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Oliphant enlivened that Christmas Party. However, the skit that aroused my curiosity,
was one entitled ""Mums and Mummies"" with Mr. and Mrs. Ted Belt and Mrs. Synott as
featured players (1953)- Mr. Cyril Morley has led the sing-songs many times since
April 5, 1935, and he still does it with spirit!
Membership drives are a concern of any organization. In January, 1945 it was decided
to have two teams, one named the Snapdragons and the other named Victory to see
which team could recruit the most members. The losing team would provide the
refreshments at a later date in the year.
Bazaars and plant sales are a regular occurrence. The Society takes part in the annual
Pickering Village Festival in June. In June, 1979 the Society Float won the trophy for the
Best All Round Float. Thanks to Gord and Mary Campbell, Stan and Jean Livingstone,
Ken and Helen Cooper, Grenville and Darlene Bacon, Barb Twiner and Marjorie
McDonald.
Judging standards, classes and styles of
presentation of flowers have changed over the years. The record for the most entries
in one show was in the Fall Flower Show, September 10, 1963. There were 279 entries.
Judges' decisions have often been questioned, though usually accepted. However,
one judge in May, 1953 decided that if there was only one entry in a class, there would
be no prize awarded, since there was, in fact, no competition! This decision led to much
discussion and, at the next meeting, the members decided that in future a prize should
be given if the exhibit was worthy.
Over the years, the Society has planted flowers and trees and donated money to various
public areas.
Erskine Cemetery - 1969 Crimson King Maple, bushel
of bulbs in 1952 by Mrs- Lotton
Altona Road Cenotaph
Brougham Museum
Pickering District High School
Dunbarton High School
Pickering Village Public School
Dunbarton Public School
Ajax-Pickering Hospital
Pickering Municipal Building
1967 - Four Royalty crab trees - one at each
meeting place 1970 - Pickering Village Library - indoor
plantings at Rosebank and Bay Ridges
Library
Centennial Park on Brock Road 1970 - 600 tulip bulbs - 400 at Museum, 100 at
St, Paul's Dunbarton and 100 Village Library
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Pickering Twp. Police Station
1971 - K. Cooper and Vic Dingley planted 300 tulip bulbs at Hiley and Mill Streets
1974 - tree at Don Beer Arena
1975 - planter boxes at Senior Citizens' building
in Village 1978 - Bev Moore and Jr. Gardeners plant Irises
around Seniors' Home in Town of Pickering 1983 - Pickering Red Cross - Bayly and
Brock Road
Simpsons and Eatons have always contributed major prizes to the Society. Brooke
Bond has given us the beautiful Red Rose Tea Award. Local banks, nurseries and
flower shops supply awards as well. Relatives of May Somerville and Mrs. Lotton have
generously contributed prizes. The Rose Society contributes a bronze medallion.
In 1971, the first Rose Society Bronze medallion which had been won by Mrs. Lotton,
was returned to the Society permanently. It was decided to add a chain to the medal
and use it in future as the official President's Chain of office. This task was placed in the
capable hands of Ken Cooper.
The 25th Anniversary of the founding of the Society was celebrated in 1958.
At the January, 1958 banquet the President, Mrs. Lotton presided, assisted by
Mr. C.E. Morley, a Past President. Four Past Presidents were in attendance.
The speaker for the evening was John F. Clark, Secretary of the O.H.A. Mr. Les Morley,
another Past President, thanked the Speaker.
The 40th Anniversary was celebrated in 1973. The Society was host to the District No,
5 Annual Meeting held at Lincoln Avenue Public School on October 4. The speaker at
the Annual Meeting was Mr. Les Morley, co-author of The Village of Pickering 1800-1970,
who spoke on the ""History of Pickering"",
Over the years, many people have contributed their talents to the Horticultural Society.
Some years ago, Joyce Boot designed the emblem on our Year Books and painted the
beautiful cloth banner which we display at Bazaars and Exhibitions. The Morley family
have been active members all through the years. Henry Westney's father, mother, sister,
aunt and uncle were all mentioned in the books. Doris Hartrop, Gerald and Janey Cowan,
Clare and Marie Balsdon, Ken Cooper and Pat Silk, whom most of us remember,
were enthusiastic members. Peggy Annis, Ted and Win Belt and Al and Cleone Neff
still keep in touch with the Society.
We look back with satisfaction and pride on the accomplishments of our predecessors
and look forward with confidence to meet the challenges of the future.
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THE LAST TEN YEARS (1983 - 1993)
The last ten years have been characterized by many changes in our community life.
A rural Pickering has changed in the southern portion to become a thriving residential
and business community. New schools, fire halls, town hall and subdivision upon
subdivision of new homes have developed across the landscape. Large and small
malls of retail and service outlets, new churches and a large recreational complex have
been built to serve the needs of the burgeoning community. While some of this activity
started prior to the decade, most of it has happened in the last short period.
New homes built side by side with a lot of sameness, quickly assume a character of their
own by landscaping, shrubs and gardens. Enlarged and new nurseries emerged to
serve the new communities. New members looking for information were welcomed
into our horticultural society.
A new television show on Cable 10 featuring
gardening quite appropriately called upon as guest one of our members,
Norma MacNeil in the opening show. Between Cable 10 and later a radio show
several other members have participated in this effort. Reaching out, some of our
dedicated members have entered the Pickering Festival and again in this decade
have entered a gaily decorated float featuring flowers and again won the coveted first
prize with much coverage in all the local media. On this occasion. Barb Twiner and
Gord Campbell deserve the accolades. In the provincial scene, Norma MacNeil and
Barb Twiner competed in the Flower Festival design competition held on the C.N.E.
grounds. All was not work however, a speaker from Andres Wines gave us a very
interesting look into the horticultural aspect of wine making one evening from which
we moved to the home of Mary and Gordon Campbell for tasting and snacks,
a very memorable evening. During the Fall of 1984, early access difficulties at our
meeting place in Pickering United church resulted in our move to St. Andrews
Presbyterian Church Hall on Church Street where we still meet.
Early in this period one of our members, Allan Foss, met with the Town of Pickering
officials and the Parks and Recreation group and several initiatives were started from
both sides. Some did not last and some were successful. We suggested that the
pelargonium (geranium) be adopted as the town flower as well as a choice of several
trees for a representative tree. A front yard garden competition was held open to all
residents and our own Kathy Brewster won a first, our first annual September show held
outside our regular meeting place was organized and held in the Pickering Recreational
Complex for two years. It did not meet the public we really wanted to reach and following
more
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negotiations moved to the Pickering Mall where this annual event has developed into a
spectacular showing of our accomplishments and a continual source of new members
each year.
One of the offshoots from the Pickering Mall show was the effect their royal blue table
covers had on our exhibitions. To put it mildly, they were stunning. We reacted and
eventually royal blue material was purchased and Jean Foss made up custom cloths to
cover all the available tables in the church which to this day greatly enhance every
competition we hold. Royal blue and yellow have become our adopted colours for our
banner and other society items of distinction.
During the decade, a group of newer members, Carol Davidson, Joan McWilliam and
Yvonne Hubbs, with an avid interest in floral design embarked on every course of
instruction available, practised their craft and started an upbeat competition in our
regular shows that has become a tradition in our Society known to many outsiders.
As a result, judges chosen each meeting have had to have qualifications in this regard
as well as horticulture with the result of excellent all around judging in our competitions
which has an instructional aspect for all concerned.
The Ontario Horticultural Association, District 17 Annual Meeting was hosted by
Pickering in 1986. In 1986 and 87 our Pickering Horticultural Society display table at
this annual event won first prize two years running. To our sorrow, rules were changed
not allowing lighting in future events which were a feature of our prize winning entries
usually set up in relatively dark church basements, etc. We felt avenged in 1988 when
our designing ladies took all 1st and 2nd awards in all design classes in the competition
by 12 Societies in the District. We must never be smug about these things but in this
account can only say ""Bravo"".
During Carol Davidson's tenure as President, a
children's program began in the schools covering Grades 3 to 6 in several different
schools each spring. An essay contest provided comprehensive seed growing kits to
the winners. Herta Gerlach and Margaret Walsh have spent many hours in this project
which has provided much valuable publicity for the Society. It is our hope that some of
the youth contacted will reach towards horticulture in later years as a tangible result of
the efforts. In 1993 the program has been continued by the same two members with a
change. Two grade 3 classes (48 pupils) have been engaged in hands-on seed
planting sessions in the classroom both to be grown on at that point and to take home to
grow. These children are learning something they will have for the rest of their lives.
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Public planting is one of the reasons every O.H.A. member society exists, it has been
practised in the Pickering area over the years such as tree planting, cleanups at the
museum garden, bulb and annuals plantings at schools, seniors' buildings, etc.
During the past decade, it was somewhat difficult due to the constant change and
construction taking place. School plantings of bulbs and annuals were continued
however and Rena Preston did a special service in planting and maintaining a
planting fronting the Red Cross building in a particularly dry year. This plot was carried
for several years but never looked better than during her year of care. Another project
was the planning and planting of shrubs, trees and beds in the otherwise bare yard
surrounding the new firehall on No. 2 Highway.
Selecting well qualified judges has been mentioned in our progress, program material
has also been towards selecting the best available in speakers and demonstrations for
each meeting. Some of our own members excel in this category in their fields covered.
It has resulted in excellent attendance at meetings and improved membership.
Recent additions of more youthful members is the result and reward.
In closing, the remarkable friendliness and comradeship of members that has been
developing must be mentioned. Bus trips each summer to different areas of southern
Ontario, pot luck dinners, garden parties each August at the garden of Jean and Al Foss,
pool and barbecue parties at Barb Twiner's have evolved into a group that is as friendly
and fun loving as it is serious in the horticulture field that is its source of inspiration and
competition- There is no doubt we have a good thing going or should we say a good
thing growing.
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""The Last Ten Years"" researched by Les Johnson and Allan Foss April 16, 1993
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"ANNIVERSARY PARTY Composed May 16/93 By Larry Lougheed Key of ""G""
Yes the time has come, en-joy a spec-ial eve-ning And we all have gathered here It's
plain to see with our friend-ly smile and help-ing hand as al-ways We cele-brate our
an-ni-ver-sa-ry
Yes we do have fun at shows and all our meet-ings And the speak-er al-ways has a
mes-sage too We have mini shows and good-ies at our tea time We hope you'll join,
we'll share the fun with you
Yes we do have day trips part way through the sum-mer And a Christ-mas Par-ty with a
pot luck too Oh the times are great, we all are friends to-gether I've had some fun,
I send this song to you
REFRAIN:
Yes, Picker-ing Hort is our club name
And for 60 good years we have been
So let all of us he so thank-ful
Please givs thanks to the Lord for all seen
Let's re-member, help your neigh-bour and a friend too
Ac-cept what comes your way, I say to you
"
"Education Enjoyment
Community Service SINCE 1933
by: Jim Metzger
"