Thorndale horticulture society celebrates 30 years

Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society president Jennifer Prgesa with Trudy Nieuwland, the society’s first president in 1996.

By Nancy Abra

The Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society has been a valued community group that has brought beauty and pride to Thorndale for 30 years. It was a simple undertaking by a couple of caring people that bloomed into something larger.

Last Wednesday evening, March 11, the society celebrated this milestone.

In the fall of 1994, Trudy and Dick Niewuland planted several hundred tulip bulbs around the flagpole at the library and in a couple of gardens in the village of Thorndale. Their plan was these tulips would bloom the following spring to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1945 Canadian liberation of Holland.

In the spring of 1995, the tulips were a beautiful array of colour throughout Thorndale. Later that spring, Trudy Niewuland proceeded to plant a couple more flower beds in Thorndale with annuals, perennials and some shrubs with a couple other garden activists joining her.

Their work did not go unnoticed, especially by Gordon Young, who suggested a garden club be established. And that spearheaded the formation of the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society. Once the organization for the new horticultural society was complete and initial funds raised, the group held its first official meeting at the Thorndale Community Centre on Thursday, March 28, 1996.

The following year, West Nissouri Township approached the society to create a garden rest area on the vacant lot where the former library once stood on King Street. This garden is now the Memorial Rose Garden, the perfect place to sit and enjoy the beautiful roses.

The society was instrumental in revamping the gardens at Wye Creek Park, planting the beds at the Cenotaph, creating the Hope Garden dedicated to the fight against cancer, and helped with the plans and planting of the gardens at the Thorndale Library.

The Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society has grown over the years, now with 76 members who maintain six gardens and 17 planters in Thorndale, and host their annual Green Thumb garden tour in late June. Their monthly meetings held on the second Wednesday of each month, except during the summer, are engaging with knowledgeable guest speakers.

Last Wednesday’s meeting was a celebration of their 30th anniversary. Society president Jennifer Prgesa tested members’ memories with a brief trivia game and a few members shared stories. Also, Prgesa presented a special President’s Award to longtime member Shirley Hacon for her dedication and leadership. Former president Dian Chute presented a lifetime membership award to Trudy and Dick Nieuwland for their dedication and incentive in launching the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society.