“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I
sleep, And miles to go before I sleep” Robert Frost
January 19th Meeting
St Johnʼs Anglican Church, Parish Hall, 33 Pine Street North, Port Hope. Social time: 7pm; Meeting
start: 7:30pm
Annual General Meeting – AGM
Our AGM will kick off our first meeting back in January. The vote to approve the Board will happen at
this meeting along with other important club business.
Proposed 2026 Board: Back row: Darlene Mack, Louis Racic and Bill Kamula. Front row l-r: Janet
Clark, Joanne Racic, Beverley Batchellor, Marilyn Homewood, Lyn Bradshaw, Bonnie Tuttle,
Yvonne Lane, and Jeanne Banka. Welcome two new board members Joanne & Louis Racic who
have graciously accepted the ʻcall of dutyʼ to join the Board.
A big THANK YOU to outgoing Board Member, Maggie Money, for her many years on the Board. Maggie will continue to welcome members at monthly meetings.
Yvonne Lane – ʻTravel Through a Gardenerʼs Eye – Japan, France & UKʼ.
To round out the evening, Yvonne Lane will share photos of some of the fabulous gardens she visited while traveling abroad in 2025 – Japan, France &
the UK.
January Refreshments: Beverley Batchelor and Yvonne Lane
Christmas Flower & Photography Show Results
Thank you to everyone who entered a photo or creation in the show. We
know it is a busy time of year, and we appreciate everyone who took the
time to enter the Show.
Congratulations to the following members who took home the ʻbigʼ
ribbons: (l-r) LIz Forder won Judgeʼs Choice for her flower arrangement
and Janet Clark won Best in Show for her ʻFallʼ photograph.
Christmas Centrepiece Workshop
It was a fun night for members who took part in the festive centrepiece workshop. Bonnie Tuttle led
a brief demonstration, then members got busy putting their creative juices to work. Thanks to Yvonne
Lane, Jeanne Banka and Bonnie Tuttle for organizing this fun & festive activity.
Below: (l-r): Bonnieʼs tips & tricks; Louis & Joanne Racic and Karen Galloway.
Below (l-r): Liz Forder; Diane Fraser & Lyn Bradshaw; Yvonne Lane; and Bev Batchellor and our
judges hard at work.
Planning Ahead for the OHA Meeting – April 11, 2026
Our Port Hope Garden Club is hosting the April 11, 2026 meeting of the Ontario
Horticultural Association (OHA) – District 4 Annual General Meeting. As one of 17
member clubs, it is our turn to host the annual meeting. Weʼre expecting 100+
members from Garden Clubs across our district. The meeting is a full day event (9am – 3pm). As ʻmany hands make light workʼ, weʼre hoping many of you will lend us your
hands to make the day a success. There will be a number of subcommittees formed in the coming
months to break up the various tasks. We hope youʼll help out.
In the meantime, can we ask that you save your plastic containers (eg. 500ml yogurt or margarine
containers). Weʼre going to be making ʻseed snailsʼ for all participants as a take home gift. Check it
out here: Seed Snail
Reminders
Membership Renewals. Itʼs that time of year again to renew your annual memberships. See
Maggie at the desk when you check in. Individuals $20. Families $30.
Guests. A reminder that guests are always welcome at monthly meetings. If you have a friend or
family member who would be interested in any of our monthly topics, please bring them. Guest fees
are $5/meeting.
Refreshments. A big thank you to Bill Kamula for providing the delicious assortment of shortbreads
and other goodies at our December meeting. What a treat!
Cards to Members
If you know of a member who is ill, has had surgery or has lost a loved one, contact Paulette Mouzer with the details so we can send a card and
message from the club.
Social Get Together over Coffee
The next coffee get-together is Wednesday January 7th at Starbucks, Port Hope at 10:30am.
Links of Interest
- Canadian Peony Society – 2026 Peony of the Year: ‘Osiris Mariette Pelland’
- BBC – How Gardening Can Help you Live Better for Longer
- Garden Design – Top Garden Trends for 2026
- Garden Design – New Year’s Resolution for Gardeners + many more excellent articles
- Lanark County Master Gardeners – Trowel Talk Newsletter – Dec 15/25
- Empress of Dirt – The Complete Guide to Winter Sowing Seeds: Tips & Timing
- Empress of Dirt – 7 Fall & Winter Garden Projects to Brighten the Cold Months
- Peterborough Master Gardeners – Mary Jane Pilgrim – Understanding Garden Dormancy