The Society was formed as the "Eganville Horticultural Society" in 1955, and has carried the mandate of “Beautification in the Village” since that time. The Society was formed with 31 members who each paid a membership fee of $1.00!

In 2012, the name was officially changed to the "Eganville and Area Horticultural Society" to better include the wide circumference around Eganville from which the membership is drawn. That year, there were 86 members, paying $10 (single) and $15 (family). The fee to join has remained the same for a number of years, but the number of members has increased significantly and we are now around 165 active members.

The primary goal of the EAHS is the beautification of the village of Eganville and furthering an interest in gardening among residents of the area. Planting in the village consists of 15 large cement planters around the village's main streets, as well as planting of public gardens: two beds in Centennial Park, the Welcome Hill on Bonnechere St. near the traffic light, and several flowerbeds throughout the Village. We contribute some funds and labour annually toward the flowerbed in the McRae Lookout Park, and have worked to establish a thriving Children's Garden of three raised beds at the local library by contributing funding, labour, and gardening expertise to assist with the youth programs. We have repeated that to establish a six-bed Community Garden. Now we have a vibrant Pollinator Garden on John Street as well, full of native species for local insects and birds.

Fundraising activities include a Spring Plant Sale, a Giant Book Sale, and a Harvest Auction and Plant Sale in September, as well as some fundraising at the Christmas Dinner. Contributions from the businesses and organizations in Eganville are also gratefully accepted and used to offset the costs of these community beautification efforts. We have a strong, long-standing partnership with the Township of Bonnechere Valley which includes many types of support for our work.

Because we benefit from the support of community, our members have actively represented EAHS at events in support of the efforts of other groups. This increases our profile and positive image and members enjoy the teamwork. EAHS now regularly enters a float in the Eganville Santa Claus Parade, and another team dons gardening gear and enters the Hike for Hospice Renfrew.
Another community support effort is the winter planter initiative begun in the fall of 2020 during Covid lockdowns. We began decorating the village planters with greenery and some special accents like coloured hydrangea blooms and sumac. By February, we decided that we could add some large wooden hearts to offer a sign of love and support to residents who were frustrated and lonely. Hearts were changed to shamrocks in March because St. Patrick's Day is popular here. These gestures were so well-received that it is now an annal tradition

The Society organizes a garden tour of members' gardens all summer; open to all members to showcase their gardens for other members to see.

In 2012, the society launched a contest for the Garden of the Month. Specific criteria were set, nominations were invited, a panel of judges was created and winners were declared for the months of June, July, August and September. The contest is conducted each year. Currently the garden must be within Eganville or within one kilometre of the village signs. A beautiful sign was designed and created, which winning gardeners are proud to display in their front gardens.

Also in 2012, the president of the society began writing a monthly column for the local newspaper, The Eganville Leader, which features the activities of the society. That column is still written each month by the current president of the society.

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Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 353 Eganville
57 Veterans Way
Eganville K0J 1T0
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Annual membership fees are $10 for a single or $15 for a family membership. To join or renew membership, e-Transfer to eganvillehort55@gmail.com. No password required.

We usually meet the third Monday of every month, except July, August, and December
Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 57 Veterans Way, Eganville but everyone is invited to enjoy a social time from 7 to 7:30 pm before the meeting. Each meeting includes: 15-20 minutes of society business and announcements, a presentation of doorprizes, followed by the guest speaker and a Q & A period.
Annual membership fees are $10 for a single or $15 for a family membership which covers multiple people who live at the same address. Visitors (aged 12 and over) are always welcome to attend - the cost for visitors is $5.

What does your membership buy you? We have a monthly publication, The Daisy Chain which is a multi-page resource linking members through contests, virtual garden tours, news about awards and achievements, and activities of the society. We enjoy a Master Gardener help-line with Judith Cox of District 2 who can answer your toughest questions. Additionally, Judith Cox writes an informative blog called Veggie Bites, which is full of seasonal expert gardening advice and shared with our members. We have interesting and informative speakers, and we occasionally have workshops to learn craftier elements of gardening. You will also have an opportunity to meet like-minded friends just like you.

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