Ripley Horticultural Society welcomes fall with flowers and fair

By: Christine Roberts October 5, 2026 37

Ripley Horticultural Society welcomes fall with flowers and fair

The growing season may be winding down but the Ripley and District Horticultural Society returned from its summer hiatus full of energy and activity.

The Sept. 16 meeting was held at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre with two dozen in attendance.

President Wayne Koch updated members on the discussions from the summer executive meeting which featured planning for the 2027 season. As his two-year term nears its end, succession and filling positions on the board become a priority. The society is currently seeking volunteers for the roles of treasurer, second vice-president and three directors.

Christine Roberts reported on the "For Our Youth" horticultural club’s summer activities. The group met in August at the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens to weed and harvest produce at its garden plot. The members then used their tomatoes to make sauce which was spread on flatbread with cheese and baked in the mud oven.

The September meeting theme was again harvest with the kids making corn fritters and apple spirals. Cooking and eating are the favourite activities of this group!

Roberts continued with updates on plantings and projects including planning for the society’s centennial in 2027.

The society successfully completed requirements for two Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) grants: $200 for the pollinator garden in KinBruce Park and $500 for the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens.

Three red maple trees have been purchased by the society and will be planted in Ripley: one in Lewis Park as a memorial to beloved member Ann Finlayson, and two to be placed at the Park Street soccer fields. Arrangements are under way with Huron-Kinloss Township staff for placement and assistance with site preparation.

The new trees will be included in a “soft landings” project initiated by the Roberts this summer. The seven existing trees at the soccer fields have had the turf grass removed in a four-foot radius around the base. Mulch and native plants supplied by the township parks department have been installed. The goal is twofold: allow leaves to accumulate under trees to offer a soft landing for caterpillars and insects looking for places to over-winter, and provide a buffer around the tree to safeguard against soil compaction and damage from lawn maintenance machinery.

Plans for the centennial celebration are ongoing with a community garden party planned in Lewis Park, June 12, 2027. The Ann Finlayson memorial tree with be dedicated at this time. The party will be the culminating event, following a winter and spring of historical recollections.

The other major project is a redesign and replanting of the flower beds at the entrance to Lewis Park. The then Huron Horticultural Society planted the first flowers beds in Gore Park in 1932 just five years after the society’s founding. It seems fitting to repeat that act of community beautification for the 100th anniversary. On a motion by Roberts, the society approved the hiring of landscape designer Rachel Thompson to create a design, plant list and planting guide for a native plant garden. Work will begin soon to remove unwanted organic materials and prepare the beds for planting in the spring.

Second vice-president Gail Lotton organized the second and final flower show of the 2026 season which included four classes: a fall centrepiece on a Lazy Susan featuring gourds; succulents in a dish garden; stems of sedum, and dahlia. During the refreshment break, members gave the entries careful consideration. At the end of the meeting the winners were announced: Susan Miszturak submitted the winning fall centrepiece; Vicky Culbert won with her dish garden of succulents, and Elaine Shantz brought the best exhibits of sedum and dahlia. The overall points winner for 2026 will be announced at the Dec. 4 annual general meeting.

Lotton is also spearheading a fund-raising campaign of society centennial 2027 calendars which showcase photos by society members and local photographers. The $15 desk calendars were for sale during the meeting, at the society’s display in the fair exhibit hall and are also available in Ripley at Pollock Electric and The Woodshop Gifts, both on Huron Street.

The Ripley-Huron Fall Fair was an important topic of discussion as volunteers were solicited to staff the display inside the arena Friday and Saturday. Lotton, once again, looked after decorating and driving the society’s float in the mammoth parade. She was joined by Black Sheep secretary Dianne Simpson.

The society was delighted that the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN) chose the junior leaders and senior leader Rhonda Curran of "For Our Youth" to receive the Environmental Award of Merit on the Friday evening of the fair. In addition, junior leader Joslynn Curran was crowned the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair Ambassador.

The October meeting of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society takes place Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Guest speaker Murray Yungblut will talk about the work of the PRWIN. This is also the annual Bake, Bulbs, Preserves and Produce sale with donations from the membership. Guests and visitors are always welcome.