​Ripley Horticultural Society enjoys visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at annual Christmas Luncheon

About 35 members and guests of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society enjoyed the annual Christmas Luncheon, held Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were on hand to greet the crowd and stayed for the meal.

The event actually began in the morning with the horticultural society’s annual general meeting which included various reports, as well as the In Memoriam by Rose-Marie Meyer and the president’s report by Wayne Koch.

Koch thanked all the members who helped with the gardens and beautification of the Village of Ripley. He outlined some of the events from 2025, including the plant sale in May, the planters that were done in colours to support the Ripley Reunion in August, and the float in the Ripley-Huron Fall Fair which won first place.

“We added four new pollinator gardens for a total of 11,” he said. “We organized several interesting and informative speakers, and had three flower shows throughout the year. We did fund-raising events, received money from the Ripley-Huron Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary, and presented a donation to the Ripley Lions Christmas Hamper Program. Just wait until you see what’s planned for next year – it’s so exciting!”

There was also an update about the “For Our Youth” club which held six regular meetings from April to October, with 21 youth, aged six to 17, including many returning members. The theme was “From Sod to Supper” with the club maintaining a garden plot at the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley.

Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) District 8 president Karen Redmond brought greetings and presented the flower show awards to Gail Vander Hoek and Vicky Culbert (tied for first), Christine Roberts (second) and Elaine Shantz (third).

Redmond also presented service pins, including a 45-year pin to Gail Vander Hoek, a 20-year pin to Alice Gamble, 10-year pin to Rose-Marie Meyer, and a five-year pin to Melody Smillie.

She then installed the new executive: president Wayne Koch, past-president Rose-Marie Meyer, 2nd vice-president Gail Lotton, treasurer Heather Newman, secretary Dianne Simpson, and directors Susan Miszturak, Shirley Galloway, Debbie France, Gaye Harnick and Marion Fink. The 1st vice-president position remains vacant.

The group then enjoyed a delicious catered turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a program of stories, jokes, trivia, a silent auction, and draws.

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., at Rosewood RVilla Retirement Living, Ripley, with an afternoon of games and trivia.