SPRING BAY–Horticultural societies are a deep-rooted tradition in Ontario. The Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) has been around since 1906 and has over 30,000 members within 19 districts that support 270 local societies. Society members share a love of gardening, enjoy sharing their knowledge and are committed to beautifying the communities they live in. Manitoulin’s very own Campbell Horticultural Society (CHS) has been beautifying Spring Bay and beyond since 1928. Last Tuesday, April 10, members and special guests gathered to celebrate its 90th anniversary.
Seija Bailey, CHS vice-president, welcomed special guests Christine Marsh, OHA District 13 director, and Grant Lewis, assistant district director for District 13 (Manitoulin-Espanola) and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes, who brought greetings and congratulations from MPP Michael Mantha (Algoma-Manitoulin) as he was unable to attend. She also noted the commemorative bookmarks featuring artwork by Island artist Christie Best-Anderson that were distributed to all guests.
Following a rousing version of O Canada (the old version), Wayne Bailey introduced Carol Hughes. MP Hughes thanked everybody for “that wonderful version of O Canada. I haven’t heard O Canada sang like that in years. It was very heartwarming,” she said, pointing out that the new version featuring ‘in all of us command’ is actually how the anthem began.
“I bring greetings on behalf of Michael Mantha and myself. The Ontario legislature is sitting and he couldn’t be here,” MP Hughes continued. “It’s an honour to be here among you especially for this 90th anniversary, especially for groups such as the horticultural society. You do so much more than just the great work you do in yourcommunity. You’ve done just a fabulous job for 90 years, from your participation in fairs and parades, by promoting horticulture and at the same time, people are being encouraged to have gardens. You are fostering future generations how it’s important to be involved, to teach families how to feed themselves, beautifying cenotaphs and memorials. After 90 years you’ve grown this footprint across the Island. You even lobbied for better phone service years ago.”
MP Hughes read from the letter of congratulations she brought to the celebration. “Your organization is an integral part of our cultural fabric. Thank you for sharing, learning and helping others who have an interest in gardening and horticulture. Your love of gardening, commitment to preserving and restoring our natural environment, dedication to making the communities we live in beautiful and sustainable are truly a reason to celebrate! This is a milestone to be proud of and definitely worth celebrating! I wish you nothing but the best as you continue to keep Algoma-Manitoulin beautiful!”
The next speaker was Richard Stephens, mayor of the municipality of Central Manitoulin. “It’s a pleasure to be here,” he said. “I always thought of horticultural societies as being flower people. I enjoy their shows each year, the wind-up at Providence Bay Fair. It’s remarkable how you take flowers and do the things you do. I was quite impressed even reviewing your constitution, went on with the newsletter you put out on a regular basis which brings people up to date. Than you for all your hard work and dedication. I know you are partners with the municipality and do generous donations with the organization that takes after beautification. Ninety years. That’s even longer than I’ve been around. It’s an important milestone. Congratulations for your hard work and dedication.”
Finally, Christine Marsh, director of District 19, Ontario Horticultural Association read from a letter to members of the Society on behalf of Rose Odell, OHA president. “You have a passion for horticulture and accompanying this is your passion to share and educate others in all things horticultural. Volunteers are the grassroots of any organization and you have shown on many occasions how you and your volunteers make your community both beautiful and livable. In 1928 your founding members could never have imagined what you have become today and what you will accomplish in the future. Congratulations to all your members and your society. Let’s celebrate in Keeping Ontario Beautiful. Happy Birthday!”
Society member Bernice Lewis took guests on a trip down memory lane. “The first meeting was held on April 13, 1928,” she said. “Meetings were held in the homes of members. There were only about 12 members. The older ladies wore hats.”
Horticultural Society, circa 1928 were on display.
photo by Lori Thompson
Bernice joined in 1960. She has been a member for 58 years and is now a life member. “In 1961 the first flower show was held in the old Spring Bay hall basement,” she remembered. “There was no running water so they had to carry water to make the tea. They didn’t drink coffee in those days, just tea and hot water.”
The society used to have a table at the Providence Bay Fair and every year they entered a float in the parade. Before Bernice’s time there was a home improvement contest for members. Bernice was secretary in 1962 for two years and then was president for three years. While she was president the CHS began doing cemetery clean-up at the Spring Bay Grimesthorpe Cemetery by having cemetery bees in the spring. “After that they started planting flowers and cedar trees at the cemetery,” said Ms. Lewis.
Member Wilda Campbell used to attend meetings with Bernice Lewis. “We used to come years ago,” she said. “There were a lot more people. Today is an exception. It was a place to go. The first meeting I went to in 1990 was in a home. There were so many people they couldn’t find chairs for everyone. Soon after that we started to rent the hall. I’ve enjoyed going to conventions especially the flower shows. At one time I had 13 flower beds. I love to have flowers in the house and outside.” Her favourite flower? “ I just love gladiolas,” she said.
Penny Palonen joined in 2003 when the society celebrated their 75th anniversary. “At that time they had expanded to include members from Sandfield, Mindemoya, Providence Bay, Spring Bay and Evansville,” she explained. “We had committees to help maintain the gardens in each area. Although we still have members on the beautification committee in Central Manitoulin, we mainly contribute funds to help maintain the gardens.”
CHS member Terry Thompson has lived in Spring Bay for eight years. After she joined the society she was “overwhelmed by how generous people were with sharing bulbs and plants.” Her husband, Dan Thompson, is the pastor at Spring Bay Pentecostal Church. “All the flower beds at the church have come from bulbs people have given me,” Ms. Thompson said. “It’s a really great group of people. We enjoy their friendship.”
Carmen and John Huggins from the Sudbury Horticultural Society brought in a box of canna lily bulbs to distribute and talked about how to plant, grow and overwinter canna lilies. “These roots will grow into large salmon-coloured lilies,” said Ms. Huggins, “and I’d like to see them all over the Island when I come to visit.”
Pastor Thompson delivered grace before a special lunch complete with celebratory cake. Afterwards, Jim and Joanne Smith provided musical entertainment that included a ‘name the flower in the song’ contest.
The highlights of CHS’s year are the flower show held at the Mindemoya Community Centre in August, a garden tour in July, the annual fall supper and auction in October and a Christmas potluck in December. The society meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 1 pm at the Spring Bay Hall.
