ARTIST PROFILE
Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society
The Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society first began in 1908, but was discontinued for eighteen years due to World War I. The Society was restarted in 1926 and is still going strong today – 76 years later!
The Society is a member society in the Ontario Horticultural Association. At one time, the Sault's area was combined with the North Bay and Parry Sound areas. In 1963, the districts were re-aligned, and the Sault became part of OHA District 13, which takes in twelve societies: Sudbury, Massey-Walford, Espanola, Assiginack, Campbell, Elliot Lake, Blind River, Thessalon, Bruce Station, St. Joseph Island, Lake George, and Sault Ste. Marie.
Two Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society presidents have gone on to become Presidents of the Ontario Horticultural Association – Mr. J. P. Reed and Mr. Herb Beilhartz. Furthermore, Mr. Harold Tolley was secretary-treasurer, and former Algoma sheriff, Mr. George Lee, was president for a term of more than thirty years. |
The Sault Ste. Marie Horticultural Society had its emblem, the
"Red Rose", adopted as the city's official flower. The
Society also has the Memorial Rose Garden at Bellevue Park, so a
permanent memorial can be placed in memory of a loved one or for
someone you wish to recognize as special. Plaques are always on
display showing the person honoured and the person who honoured
them. (A twenty-dollar donation to the Society provides this long-lasting
tribute.)
Contact Veronica at 705-254-3116 for more information.
The Society promotes the use of organic remedies rather than harmful chemicals – the beautifying of the communities we live in by planting trees and flowers. Currently, they are involved with public plantings at the Lighted Cross. They are also working on a long-term Community Garden project being developed at the Red Cross building on Allard Street. They have donated fruit trees and soft fruit (strawberry, rhubarb, etc) to get an orchard started.
Updated Information:2006 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Society and it is hoped that local citizens will support their annual fundraiser, the Spring Plant Sale, which will be held on Saturday, May 27th, 2006 during the hours of 8 am-12 noon in the parking lot, rain or shine, of the United Baptist Church on Malabar Drive, off Great Northern Road. Last year’s event, which produced line-ups of eager buyers, generated over $10,000 in sales of plants and garden accessories in just four hours. Profits from the sale are used to fund various community programs and initiatives the Society supports. These include the Allard Street Community Garden, the Sault Area Hospital’s Riverview Centre horticultural therapy program, the Rose Memorial Garden at Bellevue Park, the “Grow up Green” children’s summer gardening program, and various outdoor beautification efforts across our city. If you would like to donate plants or garden related items, volunteer your time, or support this event in any way, please contact Suzanne Hanna at 705-759-2893 or by email at wildgardener@shaw.ca. |
Becoming a member of your local horticultural society can be a rewarding experience. Members come from all levels, new to semi-professionals. They believe that "none are too old to learn new things". A $15.00 membership fee gets you monthly meetings, an informative newsletter, and discounts at a wide variety local merchants for soils, tree removals, equipment rentals, cut flowers, trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, etc.
The Society meets the first Monday of the
month at the United Baptist Church
(41 Malabar Drive).
New members are always welcome!
