The Paris Independent
22
December 2, 2023
COMMUNITY NEWS It was a busy fall season for the Paris Horticultural Society At this time of year, as our gardens are put to bed for the coming winter, our activities are winding down. At the OHA Convention this past July, the society earned First Place Ribbons in both the bookmark and the brochures categories. The design of these articles was a team effort. Our Adopt a Road program has done the last clean up on Keg Lane. This one took place on September 13th, right after the Paris Fair. This is usually the biggest cleanup of the season. The hard-working team members include Kim Hutton, Patti Gladding, Pat Hasler-Watts, Pat Moore, Edith Stone, Anne Vernon, Nancy Chipman and Paula Atkinson. (Photo by Serryn Stephenson). The work in our community gardens has also drawn to a close for the winter. The gardens have been cleaned up. Coordinators Doug Hanna and Dave Collins do a good job of keeping the weeding, mulching and planting up to date, with the help of other volunteers. The Hillside Garden at the fairgrounds was enhanced with 13 varieties, totalling 123 plants. There is no vacancy at the nearby “Bee” hotel.
Below, an unusual Horse Gentian found on a member’s property. Gord Burkholder
Paris Horticultural Christmas decorating committee members assemble centrepieces for their Dec. 6th dinner. Starting in back row, Anne Vernon, Edith Stone, Pat Moore, Anne Wibberley and front row, Carol Reansbury, Nancy Slusarczyk, Margaret Hutchinson. Not in photo, Paula Atkinson.
Thank-you and congratulations to Medicinally, it’s used to treat urinary them! pain and applied topically to sore and swollen areas. The plant sale doesn’t take place until May of 2024, but the committee has As the year draws to a close, we are already started to gather plants. Anne looking forward to our annual Vernon, Pat Moore, Serryn Christmas dinner on December 6th at Stephenson, Nancy Burkholder and the Fairgrounds. Preparing for the Carol Reansbury received a last- Paris Horticultural Christmas dinner a minute request from a neighbour who group of members gathered to offered her Hostas for the sale. On a assemble centre pieces for the dinner damp and windy fall day they dug up tables. Anne Vernon, decoration chair, We are very grateful to our many four trunkfuls to prepare for next did a lot of prep work so when other volunteers in our society who put in year’s sale. members arrived there was just many hours of their time to keep Paris assembly to do. Pinecones, chestnuts, beautiful and it didn’t go unnoticed. Speaking of great finds, Horticultural beads for noses and seeds were added This year, at the Ontario Volunteer Society members, Nancy and Gord as well. Awards ceremony, three of our Paris Burkholder, while on a walk on their Horticultural Society members property, discovered an unusual plant. And with that, another successful year received an award. Larry Stewart, After some research it was discovered is in the books! Elaine Sywyk and Edith Stone received to be a Horse Gentian, also known as -Content Submitted by Margaret recognition for their 20 years of Feverwort. Dried and roasted seeds Collins have been used as a coffee substitute. volunteering.
