HISTORY
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 many communities 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.

GOALS AND ACTIVITIES
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: flowerbeds 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 (now thriving on their own). 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. 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. We annually partner with the local seniors' centre to provide a 3-session gardening workshop at their site - they provide most materials and we provide expertise.

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 in lockdown. 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 annual tradition and the planters are set up in time for Remembrance Day so that poppies can be displayed. Members have created the large wooden poppies, hearts and shamrocks.

The Society secured a Vimy Oak, now well established in Centennial Park, to promote the memory and legacy of Canadian soldiers who fought in WWI . This is a descendant of trees grown from acorns sent back from the devastation at Vimy Ridge by Lieutenant Leslie Miller to his family farm in Canada. He returned and the resulting oaks were nurtured for generations until a project to mark the 100th anniversary undertook to make saplings available to appropriate organizations.

We also proudly used an OHA Tree Grant to purchase a Colorado Blue Spruce which was planted at the Visitors Bureau and is decorated each year for the village Tree Lighting.

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. Sponsored by a local businessman, a beautiful sign was designed and created, which winning gardeners are proud to display in their front gardens. In 2023, the rules were modified to allow gardens to win again after five years have passed.

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 and helps to increase the Society's profile, share news and advertise meetings.

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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 (people residing at the SAME address). To join or renew membership, e-Transfer to . No password is required. You can also mail a cheque to Secretary, EAHS, 67 Columbine Lane, Eganville ON K0J 1T0. Better yet, come to a meeting and join or renew there!

We 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 with refreshments from 7 to 7:30 pm before the meeting. Each meeting includes: 15-20 minutes of society business and announcements, a presentation of door prizes, 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 (12 years and older) are always welcome to attend - visitors are invited to make a small donation.

What does your membership buy you?
- free admission to all meetings and garden tours
- regular communication by e-mail with meeting reminders and relevant news. Any member can choose to opt out of receiving emails.
- entry in floral and horticultural competitions at member meetings
- access to interesting and informative speakers, and occasional workshops
- opportunity to meet like-minded friends just like you
- access to our large library and ability to borrow books
- ability to participate on committees for events or activities which interest you and which provide an opportunity to share your own knowledge and abilities

It isn't even necessary to have a garden - if you like meeting people and learning from interesting speakers and presentations, this is the place for you!