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Exec 2012  l to r    Lynda Weese, Secretary, Ruby Williams, Vice-President, Jennifer Hill, President, Karen Melton Treasuer. Speaker Terri Dent speaks with banquet attendee Dargan Burns.

Welcome: Jennifer Hill

Jennifer introduced Dresden newcomers Joe and Eraina Grootenboer who have taken over Laird’s Greenhouses. Their new organic operation is called River Bell Market Garden.

Highlights of the Year included
Tree Planting in Partnership with Dresden Home Hardware, DACS and LKCS
Installation of Paving Stones in the Mediaeval Garden pathways made possible by the Trillium Foundation
Re-landscaping of the Centre Bed in the Czech Hall Grounds with plant material from St. Michael School
Cooking with Herbs seminar facilitated by Cynthia Cook, Forest Glen Herb Farm
New Traditions
Garden Party co-hosted with Park Street Place and Catherine McVean Chapter IODE
Tried and True Traditions
Spring clean up with DACS and LKCS
Spring Plant Exchange
Spring Flower Show at DACS
Annual Memorial and Tribute Tree Planting
Planting of the beds and containers
CIB clean up with help from Dresden Rotary, IODE,
Fall decorating
Swag Making Workshop and Christmas decorating

Officers for 2012:
 President: Jennifer Hill
Vice-President:  Ruby Williams
Treasurer:  Karen Melton
Secretary:  Lynda Weese

Directors
Sue Farrar
Brenda Goodreau
Yvonne Marchand
Mary Mason
Phyllis Johnson
Morietta Parsons
Heather Bedell
Ed Aitken

Paul Weese offered the blessing and the IODE ladies served a lovely beef dinner to over 50 people.

Karen Melton thanked the ladies on behalf of the attendees.

Mary Mason introduced Terri Dent. Terri has been an avid horticulturalist since the 1980’s. Here are some of the principles of good gardening that were presented.

Good gardening starts with good soil.

Composting is the number one ay to produce healthier soil naturally.

Mulching conserves moisture, adds nutrients and is also a weed suppressant. It also keeps the soil a constant temperature to protect plants through freeze -thaw cycles.

Fertilizing with bone meal, blood meal, Epsom salts, seaweed, fish emulsions, corn gluten and compost manure tea are all good natural way to feed plants.

Lawns demand more water and maintenance than any other plants. Encourage natural predators. Prune to encourage air circulation around the plants.

Native Plants know how to survive the pests and elements in our area. Use them more in your gardens to use less water and pesticides.

Xeriscaping: is water conservation through landscaping. Yucca, Liatris, coneflower, grasses and sedums are common plants that do well with little water.

Water Conservation Rainbarrels are an excellent source. Rain gardens protect the waterways. Collect runoff from streets to avoid as much valuable water going into the drains.

Get back to basics and take action now to be good earth partners!!!!


Lynda Weese thanked the speaker and a book was presented to the library in her name.

Everyone enjoyed looking back over the year in a movie presentation. It is encouraging to see the many people involved in a wide variety of town activities.

Door prizes: Thanks to Bonnie Crittenden, Heather Bedell, Mary Mason, and Karen Melton for donating the door prizes. Winners were Lucille Laprise, Marie Carter, Sue Badera, John Tew, Jeff Carter, Morietta Parsons, Ruby Williams.

Thanks was extended to Jennifer Hill for continuing to lead our group. We appreciate her dedication. A book will be presented to the library in the names of the 2011 executive. Jennifer wished everyone a safe trip home and thanked them for sharing time with us.