by BOB GRYLLS
Special to Whitewater News
BEACHBURG — The Beachburg Horticultural Society held its Fall Flower/Vegetable Show and Tea, Saturday, September 10 at the Beachburg Lions Hall.
This was the final of four annual showings: First was spring bulbs (May), June’s was spring flowers and a tea, and the third, a flower show at the Beachburg Fair.
The Fall Show was well-attended with 108 entries and nine exhibitors. The order of points earned by the exhibitors were: 1) Kathleen Tyson – 131 points, 2) Lawrie Barton – 106 points, 3) Eleanor McLaughlin – 57 points, and 4) Eleanor Wright – 38 points.
Eleanor Wright was the grand-champion in the Cut Flower category with her sunflower exhibit while Eleanor McLaughlin took the grand-champion honours for Houseplants with her mandville exhibit.
Pierrette Cottrell had a near miss with her hanging plant, even though it won first prize in the hanging plant category. Her hanging plant was overwatered in May and she was going to toss it out. Instead, her husband Phil cut it right back, left it on a flat rock in the sun, and voila, it turned into a winner.
Ms. McLaughlin revealed some history of the club, noting it began in 1959. It currently has 50 members, including eight life-time members. The club’s members are from across Whitewater Region township.
Ms. Wright is serving her second year as the Chair of the Beachburg Horticultural Society, which has regular meetings.
Along with hard-working members to ensure the survival of this club, the members appreciate the financial assistance of six corporate sponsors over the years, Ms. McLaughlin said.
The Society’s Annual Plant Sale held in May is the main fundraiser, Ms. McLaughlin said.
“Our community supports us by sharing our plants, bulbs, shrubs and much more,” she said.
Over the past few years, the society has promoted public planting and beautifying the environment in a special way, Ms. McLaughlin said.
“We provide 12 large planters along Main Street in Beachburg,” she said. “Fortunately, generous volunteer residents keep watering and fertilizing them all summer long. This can be a challenge during this summer’s drought. Pleasing comments make this project worthwhile. Our sincere gratitude to those who tend our planters regularly,” she stated.
At the regular meetings, excellent guests speak on horticulture topics. Everyone is welcome to attend any meeting and new members are graciously welcomed. Pick up a bookmark with events at local businesses. For more information, call 613-582-3441 or any member you may know.
