Hillsboro Garden Club holds November meeting

By Jennifer West

The Hillsboro Garden Club held its last meeting of 2024 on Nov. 19 at Floral Hall.  

After President Jennifer West called the meeting to order, the members recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Acting for Secretary Lynn Luman, Jennifer took roll call with members and guests answering the question: "How are you using plants/flowers in your holiday decor?"   

There were 12 members present, 7 absent and 4 guests.

The tip of the month is: Weeds grow at precisely the rate you pull them out.  

Treasurer Ruth Anna gave her financial report. Jennifer updated the members on the club's plans to host the Region 16 Fall meeting next October.  

Larry Moore announced the club's Christmas party will be held on Dec. 10 at the Hillsboro Ponderosa at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and gift exchange. 

After lengthy discussion the members decided not to take part in Hillsboro's Christmas parade this year.  

The evening's program was a virtual tour of "Wooden Shoe Hollow" of Hamilton County, Ohio.  In the 1860's and 1870's, as people moved out of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, many German-born gardeners, dairymen and florists settled in the hills and valleys north of the Village of Winton Place. This community became known as Wooden Show Hollow, taking its name from the gardener's traditional footwear.

Although the surrounding areas were developed over time, the family greenhouse businesses in Winton Place remained, at least in part because the steep hills were unsuitable for residential subdivisions. A number of these greenhouse businesses remain today. 

The meeting was adjourned and the members enjoyed refreshments provided by Andrea Schneider and Nancy Sonner.

This is the last garden club meeting of 2024. The next meeting will be March 25 at Floral Hall. All gardeners are welcome to join us. You do not need to be a resident of Highland County.