MV Gardeners look forward to 2024

Valley Green Thumbs held the annual Christmas potluck dinner in mid-November and were treated to a demonstration of seasonal arrangements by Pamela McNichol of Church Street Flowers in Barry’s Bay. Above: Pamela McNichol displays her creations. Photo Jessica Lin.

McNichols’ three arrangements were auctioned off at the end of the evening, and the sum of $170 was donated, along with food collected from the attendees, to the Madawaska Valley Food Bank.

Maryjka Mychajlowycz won this swag made by Pamela McNichol of Church Street Flowers

Annual General Meeting on January 18, 2024

The Club also elected the new board at the November meeting. Although one director’s position was still vacant, Katrina Boguski stepped up later and the board appointed her to fill the position. That means there is a full house of new (or old and very familiar) executives to serve the Club.

  • President: Colina Taylor
  • 1st Vice President: Maryjka Mychajlowycz
  • 2nd Vice President: Ritsuko Honda
  • Secretary: Elizabeth Sidor
  • Treasurer: Connie Colton
  • Directors (term expiring Dec 2024): Marjory McPherson, Eden Guidroz, Wren Crossland, Stephanie Park, Jeneene Brunton
  • Directors (term expiring Dec 2025): Sharon Mahussier, Sandy Kingsmith, Georgina Van Hoof, Nola Leroux, Katrina Boguski.

Some of these long-term board members are retiring from the board at the end of 2024. Second Vice-President Ritsuko Honda said, “So, you’ve got a year to think about it. Please consider joining the board. This is the BEST team you can imagine to work with. Everyone does what they can do. No pressure, but all the jobs, and lots of them always get done!” She said everyone is very respectful, responsible, helpful, kind, hard-working, supportive, positive, and fun. The board meets once a month (usually the second Thursday at 6:30 pm except in July and December) for about two hours to discuss upcoming events, issues, meetings. Honda said, “You can of course miss some of the meetings for reasons, and zoom is also available when you can’t come in person. Give us your hands. If you’re interested or curious, come and see it sometime.”

The next meeting of the Club will take place on Thursday, Jan.18, 2024 when the Annual General Meeting will be held.

MV Gardening Club volunteers

The Club provides much volunteer work to the community in various ways and members are not limited to just voluntary Board participation. You can weed, deadhead and maintain the Adopt-A-Beds in Madawaska Valley, bake for meetings or the tea at the annual flower and vegetable show, help in the kitchen, plant bulbs, or dig up their perennials for the Club’s plant sale. They can report these hours, including traveling time to get to their volunteer work, to the Club executive each year. At the end of November, the Treasurer adds up all volunteer hours contributed by members and provides it to the Ontario Horticultural Association as part of its annual report. This helps MV Gardening Club to receive an OHA annual grant. So there is plenty of opportunity to get involved as a volunteer when you join MV Gardening Club – and you can contribute as much or as little time and effort as you can manage.

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