Hort Society volunteers recognized for dedication

Creemore Horticultural Society (CHS) is a 100 per cent volunteer organization so everything we accomplish is completely due to the hard work and commitment volunteered by our members. In 2018, more than half of our 80 members contributed a total of over 1,700 hours of time to our Society and to the community of Creemore. In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 7-13), we hope you will join CHS in thanking each and everyone of them. Special recognition is due to several outstanding volunteers who have made exceptional contributions:
Under the rules of the Ontario Horticultural Society (OHA), a local society may award a Lifetime Membership to a long-time (greater than 15 years) member who has shown continued interest in horticulture, has been a leader, and has made significant contributions to the Society. Lifetime Memberships were awarded to Marie Kidd and to Dorothy Shropshire.
Marie Kidd joined CHS in 1960 so she has given an amazing 58 years of service! Highlights of her contributions include four years served as president from 1992-1995 during which she re-established monthly (instead of quarterly) general meetings and encouraged more active community work. Her history with CHS is near legendary and includes many years of volunteer services including committee work, 18 years of opening readings, participation in plant sales and other fundraisers, flower shows, creation and donation of our banner and much more. In 2001, she was given the District 16 Service Award for significant contributions to the District and to horticulture.
Dorothy Shropshire joined CHS in 1992 so she has 26 years of service! Dorothy was president for five years from 1996-2000 and gave many years of service and leadership on various committees. She shares responsibility for Grandmother’s Garden, helps with fundraisers and attends almost all meetings. She gives tirelessly of her time to promote and organize our in-house and public flower shows. Several judges at our in-house flower praised Dorothy for her strong support of flower shows and well-trained judges. Dorothy also found time over the years to serve on the District 16 Board of Directors, including four years as District 16 Director and a stint as D16 secretary. She was given the District 16 Service Award in 2014 and has also earned a judging certificate.
To receive an OHA Horticultural Service Award, a member must have many years of active membership and service on committees, inspire the efforts of others, and show sincere interest in and support of the Society objectives.
Member Sharon Long was recognized for her service. She is a long-time member, has served on the Board of Directors, been a member of many committees, and is an active volunteer. If someone needs help with a task or project, no matter how big or small, Sharon will be there to provide leadership and encouragement. She organizes the volunteers for our Horticultural Park and is a reliable worker there herself; contributes plants and elbow grease preparing for our plant sale plus is a great sales assistant at the sale; she donates plant materials for pumpkin decorating, helps make arrangements, and often helps sell them. Sharon is a friendly presence at our meetings, making everyone feel welcome. She shares her insights from past experiences with new board and committee members as well as sharing her love and joy in gardening with all.
The Society President’s Award “is presented to a member of CHS at the discretion of the president in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the society’s activities”. Although Alice Spyrc was a brand-new member of the Hort in 2018, she was one of the most active volunteers in the Society last year. She gardened in the Hort Park on Mondays, took responsibility for daily watering of the straw bale garden and the vertical garden, helped with both the spring and fall plant sales, worked at a coffee booth, helped with the floral pumpkin sale, attended virtually every meeting, and often asked with a positive attitude if there was anything more she could do to help.
Every time I looked around, there Alice was being helpful. If I could clone her, I would.
– by Creemore Horticultural Society president Judi Parker.