Ripley and District Horticultural Society enjoys indoor garden party

By: Christine Roberts June 30, 2026 78

Ripley and District Horticultural Society enjoys indoor garden party

There is a saying among the members of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society executive this year: “If the weather’s bad, there must be a horticultural society meeting.” Somehow, the third Wednesday of the month is an unreliable day to gather.

The June 17 meeting was no different but the evening rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the two dozen members who donned their loveliest garden hats and selected their best blooms to bring to the annual flower show at the Ripley-Huron Legion.

The hall was gaily decorated for a garden party with a delicious selection of summery treats at the refreshment table. Floral exhibits were displayed in the kitchen on the central island.

Flower show convener Gail Lotton explained the voting procedure which included a refresher on how to evaluate exhibits. Each member was allowed to cast a vote in each of the classes. In total, eight exhibitors submitted 28 entries in nine classes.

After members carefully examined the entries, they enjoyed refreshments and social time.

While the flower show committee tallied the votes, members received updates on finances and other business items.

President Wayne Koch was pleased to welcome guests Lorna Kingston and Elaine King of the Chesley and District Horticultural Society. They are sharing the duties of assistant District 8 director for Bruce County.

Second vice-president Lotton was pleased to pass around a draft copy of the 2027 desk calendar which features photos contributed by 10 local photographers. Created to commemorate the society’s centennial in 2027, calendars are $15 each and will be available through pop-up shops at various events throughout the summer. A draw was made for a gift certificate for Smeltzer’s Garden Centre from among the calendar contributors. Heather Barger of Lucknow was the lucky winner.

Continuing with updates, Lotton displayed the large magnets and small plastic signs, featuring the society’s logos, which were funded by the Ripley Reunion community grants. Look for more visibility of the local horticultural society in the Ripley Fall Fair parade and in the many gardens and planters paid for, and maintained, by society volunteers.

The "For Our Youth" club planted its garden at the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley at the May meeting and was looking forward to the annual exploration of nature at the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN)’s McLarty Education Centre, June 27.

The food gardens sent a request for volunteers to help with prepping produce for freezing and has a new program for seniors to share their expertise canning and preserving food. If interested, contact Kimberlee Lowry at 519-395-5313 or kimberlee1072@yahoo.ca, to sign up for a day or to get more information.

With business completed, the flower show winners in each class were announced: Elaine Shantz (two classes), Alice Gamble, Valerie Gibson, Gail Vander Hoek (two classes) and Christine Roberts.

There will be another small flower show of four classes during the Sept. 16 meeting with the overall winner for the year announced at the annual general meeting/Christmas luncheon, Dec. 4.

The horticultural society does not hold regular business meetings in July and August. Rather, a morning tour of the society’s four pollinator gardens, ending with a picnic at the food gardens, is in the works for July.