October 8, 2026
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It was a beautiful morning, Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Ripley and District Horticultural Society's "For Our Youth" Club met to learn about the fall harvest, at the farm of leader Kimberlee Lowry.
Leaders Christine Roberts and Kim planned a fun meeting of cooking with corn and crafting with apples. As the members were cooking food outside, they decided to try something new to keep the curious yellow jackets away. They had some of the early-arriving children slice limes in half and poke cloves into the fruit.
This was a new experiment that leader Kim had heard about from her cousin, and the club wanted to see if it actually would repel insects. The members are happy to report that it seemed to work as they had only one yellow jacket visit quickly and then take off while they did their outdoor cooking. Not only do they want to avoid anyone being stung, but the club recognizes the importance of all pollinators (even when they are a little annoying).
After attendance and the kids shared their favourite things about September, they jumped right into learning about the fall apple wreaths they were going to create with leader Christine. A group went out to Kim’s small orchard to pick some apples. They carefully cut them in half, dipped each half in different colours of paint and then the apple-stamping began.
While the paint dried, they moved on to preparing corn fritters. Kim had all the ingredients ready to go, including fresh corn on the cob that was grown and sold right at her farm.
Whenever the club members cook together, they learn about proper knife skills, taking turns and the importance of reading a recipe … which leader Kim will attend to more closely next time, since she forgot a few ingredients! But it always helps to learn to be flexible in the kitchen, too.
The corn was husked and carefully cut off the cob while other kids took turns mixing up the dry ingredients, including flour, cornmeal, and spices. They added the fresh corn and milk to the dry mixture to create a thick batter. They discovered that not very many members had ever tried corn fritters before, so it would be a new experience for most.
While some of the leaders and a few helpers fried up the corn fritters, everyone else went outside in the sunshine to play some running games and blow bubbles. After burning off some physical energy, they got back to crafting. The kids cut out and glued together their painted apple stamps, creating a beautiful fall wreath to take home.
Once they finished tidying up the craft area, they sampled the corn fritters with maple syrup. Some of the kids really loved them and some weren’t too sure, but that’s okay, because it’s brave and fun to try new things. After a snack of corn fritters, apple spirals and juice, the club members went home happy after spending a fun few hours with their friends on Kim’s farm.
The club had two other special events in September. Each year at the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, the Pine River Watershed Initiative Network (PRWIN) presents Environmental Awards of Merit to recognize individuals and groups that support the PRWIN mission of clean water and a healthy eco-system within the Pine River watershed. The "For Our Youth" junior leaders were named award recipients for your environmental programming in the community! The club is so proud of these young leaders who do so much to better their own understanding of the environment and support the education of younger members . Way to go gang! The junior leaders are Brynn Arnold, Joslynn Curran, Gemma McKay, Victoria Lowry and Chris Searson.
Then, the kids were very excited to see the club's own Joslynn Curran be crowned the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair ambassador! They were thrilled for her to have the opportunity to learn and grow in this fantastic role. Way to go, Joslynn! You are the third club member to be a fall fair ambassador.
The club will meet again in October to learn about canning and baking in the Ripley kitchen! Thanks to Someday Farms for hosting the group.
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