Meetings in 2022 will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Masonic Hall in Mill Bay unless otherwise stated:  February/March/April/May/June/September/October/November/

December.    Our various activities include visiting members and public gardens.  For more details contact E. Jenstad, VIHS President

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EVENTS IN 2022:

Nov. 16  - AGM   10 a.m. at Randy & Dorothy's home.

No election but lots to discuss regarding disposal of assets etc.

Dec 7 - Annual luncheon , same place, same time.  Get ready for trivia.

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Past events:

OCT 19 - GENERAL MEETING  10 A.M.  Wednesday at Heather's .  11 in attendance and decisions made.  See minutes in your e-mail.

MAY 11 - FINNERTY GARDEN & PLAYFAIR PARK

visit by the Jenstads.  Photos sent out to the members.  Beautiful.

 April 2, HEATHER SALE was a success. 

all  the heathers were grabbed up by enthusiastic gardeners.  Wish everyone success with their gardening in 2022 many of you incorporating heathers.  Please refer to the planting guide or if you have a question e-mail us.

March 9, Masonic Hall finalized plans for the sale & Tubie test.

Feb 9 - general meeting - planning 

AGM - NOV 24   11 A.M. TOOK PLACE  AT THE MASONIC HALL IN MILL BAY. 

MEETING WAS  FOLLOWED WITH APPIES & PUNCH  (REPLACING OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON) - oh SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD. 

THE BIG DECISION MADE AT THE AGM WAS TO HAVE A HEATHER SALE. TENTATIVELY PLANNED FOR APRIL 2, 2022.   

WE LOOK FORWARD TO ONCE AGAIN HOSTING THIS SALE FOR ALL  THE HEATHER ENTHUSIASTS IN THE AREA.   lISTING OF POSSIBLE HEATHERS FOR SALE WILL BE POSTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. 

We had a lovely outdoor "meeting" at Dorothy & Randy's home on Aug 24  with 21 in attendance.   Pot luck contributions were so very tasty and the protein (salmon & ribs) cooked up by D&R was exquisite.  Not a bite left on anyone's plate.  A fitting dessert - 80th birthday cake - provided by Auriol - completed the meal. Who was 80 - Earl ( you would never guess).   

It was great to see everyone in person:  Ken was almost dancing with his replacement knee.  Cecile & Gordon happy to have their granddaughter with them.

We remembered Michael, a favorite with VIHS, who passed away this spring.  Our love and sympathy go to Sherry.

We also missed Sheila who is now in a LT residence in the area.  We wish her the best in her new digs.  

Earl is now volunteering at HCP in the Heather garden - where else!  He has submitted a couple photos which I will post in the photo section.  

That's all folks and thanks to Dorothy & Randy for hosting once again.  Perfect hosts with a perfect venue.

Events in 2020: 

Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held via ZOOM went very well.  Amazing when I think back to the crank telephone we used years and years ago.  Almost like the party line only with the visual.

Sadly but appropriately we have delayed our Annual Heather Sale by a year to March 2022.  We also postponed our annual Christmas luncheon to a Spring event when hopefully COVID-19 restrictions have eased.  

We also have decided to update our banking to include e-transfers to make it easier for members to pay dues.  This is ready to go  You will receive an e-mail with the info required. 

Thanks to Dorothy for setting up the ZOOM meeting and Earl for a well run meeting.   

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Past activities - 2019 - 2020:  

March 11  - 12 noon (bring your lunch)

Board Mtg  at 11 was followed by General Meeting at 12 at the Masonic Hall in Mill Bay  - finalizing plants for Heather Sale followed by 

Very interesting talk by Ann Aylward on fruit tree pruning, blights and diseases.  

Christmas  luncheon was a smashing affair, good food, good company.   Thanks to Norma & Ken and all who attended.

Nov 13, 2019.   

Great AGM with all positions happily filled.  Earl Jenstad staying on as President for a further year.   

Oct 12,  - Public Presentation. HECTOR BUSSIERE 

“Twenty of the Best Perennials, Shrubs and Small Trees that would be Good Accompaniments to Heathers”. held at the Masonic Hall. Mill Bay.

Hector is a Victoria Horticulturist and expert gardener. Rather than a digital presentation, Hector had samples of the plants discussed.  A small but keen group enjoyed his interactive presentation.

Wed, Sept 11, 2019  Field Trip. Eurosa Farms. Brentwood Bay.

            Members met at 10 a.m.  for a guided tour - most informative  

Through over thirty years of dedication and rose growing expertise of their greenhouse operation, Eurosa Farms mission is to produce high quality flowers for the local market. The facility builds on the three generations family tradition that began in the Netherlands. Their product line includes not only roses but a wide variety of other cut flowers.

It was a great day with lunch at Brentwood Bay Inn Pub.  In lieu of the tour fee which was waived we purchased bunches of flowers at their roadside stand.  Mine continue to look lovely. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Field Trip.

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific.   We enjoyed the day under sunny skies.  Picnic lunch and David Wilson gave a most informative talk on the history or the heather garden and those involved.over the years.  Members then had an opportunity to tour other areas of HCP and do a little shopping - plants or items in the gift shop)

SAT, MAY 25,  MILL BAY GARDEN CLUB'S COMMUNITY FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW    at  Cobble Hill Hall.

Turned out to be a rather rainy day but a surprizing numbers of people braved the weather shopping for plants on their list.  We were under a big tree which helped initially.   Lovely exhibits and silent auction was a definite attraction.  Along with selling heathers had several inquiries - generally chatted with folk - all in all a good day - refuse to let the weather dampen our spirits.  

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