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stouffville suntribune thursday june 12 2003 23 diane ward president of the stouffville horticultural society had her first water garden at 1 0 sjoerowitteveen photo byhannelorevolpe staffwriter whitchurchstouffville horticultural society president diane ward was spotted hanging out the window of the york- durham heritage train last fall she was yelling anyone who listened closely would have heard her hollering out the names of the trees shrubs and flowers that grow along the track from stouffville touxbridge bev parker and eileen thomas stood close behind scribbling madly to take down all the information the plants growing along the tracks will- eventually be marked with signs for train travellers to spot more easily prez gardens little i like nature i dont even do a lot of gardening but i have had a water garden since i was 10 said mrs ward who seems to enjoy doing unusual things for one thing the mother of three and grandmother of five is in her 30th year as a livestock inspector for the town of whitchurchstouffville to assess dead and dying livestock the former farm girl has been involved in things agricultural most of her life she was president of the markham fair in 1989 and was one of the founders of the fairs pizza project which taught grades 3 4 and 5 students where their food comes from- the pro gram continued for 12 years until it folded two years ago mrs ward helped to develop the pond and stream programs and others she teaches at green acres outdoor education centre fa stouffville since 2000 she has been president of the local horticul tural society which has been responsible for many spots of colours and beauty throughout wwtchurchstouffville for over 80 years society members have worked on numerous planting projects around town with the notable help of thelma creighton mac keith and marna moldon theyve planted trees shrubs and flowers and cleaned out overgrown flower beds at places such as duffiris creek the whitchurchstouffville museum the ballantrae community centre and the stouffville cemetery the society works together with the town mrs ward noted thats how we can honour so many requests not all members have a giant garden with hundreds of flowers or unusual vegetables not all members have a giant garden with hundreds of flowers or unusual vegetables people come to the societys meetings to learn morel about plants flowers crafts and gar dens all over the world whether theyre tending marvellous flower beds and vegetable gar dens or lovingly taking care of a window box or two between 50 and 60 people attend meetings including a plant sale in may and a seed sale in october this year well- known garden experts will talk over town about everything from beneficial insects and weeds to japanese gardening there are also several flower shows and photo contests each season for both adult and junior gardeners from april to november the societysgardeners gather on the third monday of each month at s stouffville united church the first meeting of this year on april 14 featured frank kershaw talk ing about historic and heritage gardens of ontario expert in town the next meeting is monday it starts with a flower show at 7 pm with the judging beginning at 745 pm internationally renowned garden expert leonard teengs who hasdone flower arrangements for queen beatrix of the netherlands and various celebrities will lead a workshop on making an exclu sive floral design there is a 25 fee for materials for those who want to create a floral design youngsters in the horticultur al society have a chance to help with plantings as well as enter the flower competitions work shops and photo contests last year a window box designed by member bruni nielsen for the whitchurch- stouffville horticultural society won second prize at the canadian national exhibition as part of its work in the com munity the society has donated the park benches along duffins creek and sponsors a mothers day craft at the library in may the societys membership fees are 10 per year with a fam ily rate of 15 and a junior mem bership at only 2 nonmem bers are welcome to attend any meeting for a 4 admission fee msm cable vb k u g h a watch the vaughan sun devils live on rogers television visit wwwrogerstelevisioncbm for complete schedule details locaimatters- mvwjogerstelevivoacom orok elevj5n only on rogers ca3le tllnlihhij feefv your dag a day hell always remember m ip whitchurch stouffvilles sports personality of 2002 was ricksooley who will be the 2003 winner this award is sponsored by the zjar suntfibune and will be presented at strawberry festival nominations must be received by sunday june 15 2003 mail to sports personality box 154 stouffville l4a7z5 phone 6402612 fax 6408778 email jmasonyrngcom nomination form nominees name address j phone i please attach supporting reasons for your choice i