HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-30, Page 24By Linda
Campbell
Call
357-2188
14 attend WI meeting •
couple of days.
PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2004.
Palliative Care executive meets
FROM BELGRAVE
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
Selling Naked Ladies is a
favourite pastime for one local man.
• John Gaunt, owner of Treasure
Valley Crocus, has the visitors
welcome sign up outside both his
Naked Ladies (crocus) fields on the
Amberley Road and the Belgrave
Road.
The name Naked Ladies or
Colchicum Autumnale refers to the
crocus flower that sprouts from the
ground without leaves in September.
The annual ritual of selling his
Naked Ladies, begins in July and
August when he, along with some
hired help. dig up dry, dormant
corms which are best planted at the
first of September.
"When they're dry and dormant,
they're not growing and have p
tough skin. That way they can't get
injured. It gives them a break in the
growth cycle too •and you don't
disturb the growth cycle," said
Gaunt.
Whether the bulb is planted or not,
it will flower by the end of
September. Then after a month or so,
Gaunt said the flower will dry up
and go away before winter hits.
When spring arrives, the 6:ocus
comes up with leaves, but no fb•wer.
During the growth period, Gaunt
said the bulbs multiply, divide `and
create grow reserves.
"You can plant one bulb this year
and by this time next year, you'll
have three."
The Wingham and Area Palliative
Care board held its first fall
executive meeting on Wednesday.
Sept. 22 in the lounge of the
Wingham and District Hospital.
Chairperson Muriel Coultes
welcomed everyone and a new
member to the board, Wendy
Herbert of Wingham, was
introduced. Bev Brown of Brussels
was officially appointed chair of the
fundraising committee.
Mrs. Coultes reported on a
workshop she attended early in
September for board volunteers of
rural non-profit and charitable
organizations. •
Three members of the board will
be attending the Hospice of
Ontario's annual general meeting
held in Alliston. Oct. 14-16.
A volunteer from the Wingham
association has been nominated for
the June Callwood award for
volunteers. This presentation will be
announced later.
Mrs. Coultes will meet with other
board chairs from across Ontario on
Saturday of this meeting.
Final approval was given for the
material that will be sent out for the
' Wings of a Dove Campaign. Target
date for this mailing is Oct. 23 and
will cover the immediate area which
is served by the Wingham and
District Hospital. This includes
Auburn, Belgrave, Blyth, Bluevale,
Brussels, Fordwich, Gorrie,
Lucknow, Teeswater and Wroxeter.
The Wings of a Dove campaign
will be sent to every household, and
will explain the work of the
Edmonton."
Gaunt said these crocuses are also
known as wonder bulbs because you
can set one on a table without water
or soil and it will still bloom.
His passion for these unique
blooms started when his mother
brought two or three corms home
one day when he was "just a kid."
"That was about 50 years ago, but
I've only been in business for about
15 years."
He' said his business actually
started by accident when people
would drive by his roadside
flowerbed and ask if they could have
some.
"I just gave them a bunch, but then
they offered money, which at first I
didn't want, but in the end they gave
me $20. I think I'm being overpaid.
but people keep saying I'm under
paid."
He sells a six-inch pot for $15 and
a plastic window-sized box for $25.
Customers are left on thehonour
system since the flowers and money
box are left on a table at the end of
his driveway.
Throughout his two properties,
Gaunt estimated that there are many
acres of Naked Ladies and well over
one million blooms.
Although Gaunt's crop is only a
purple. there are white ones
available, but these are a different
species. '
He explained that crocus
originated in the city of Culchise,
Armenia.
He said big industries were using
them for colchicine, a chemical
inside the plant that is used for
medical purposes.
volunteers doing palliative care, and
asking for the support of the
community to be able to continue
this service.
Over the summer and during
September, a number of very
welcome donations were made to the
association, one of which enabled us
to buy a new computer. Letters of
The September meeting of the
Belgrave Women's Institute began
with the Opening Ode and the Mary
Stewart Collect.
The president, Kay Roberts,
welcomed 12 members and two
guests and thanked everyone for the
work done over the summer,
catering to four dinners.
The roll call was answered by
telling the number of volunteer
hours spent since the last meeting.
The minutes of the previous
meeting and the financial report
were given by Doreen Marks. It was
agreed to give the non-perishable
food left from the caterings to the
Wingham Food Bank.
Dianna Robinson will contact
someone to clean the septic tank at
the hall before winter.
Several members will be
attending and helping with the
Huron County rally on Oct. 4 and
the London West area convention on
Oct. 7.
The collection and Pennies for
Friendship were gathered. Mrs.
ANA' N%0001611111111111iV';'
appreciation were sent out to those
friends of palliative care. Funding is
always needed to carry on this work,
but also needed are more board
members from this surrounding area.
Anyone interested in learning
more about the board may contact
Kathy Procter at 357-2720 or Muriel
Coultes at 357-1908.
Marks gave an update on the ROSE
(Rural Ontario Sharing Education)
program from a workshop they had
attended.
Lunch was served by Nancy
Jardin and Gladys Van Camp and a
social time enjoyed.
The next meeting, on Oct. 19, will
feature a speaker from a goat-dairy
farm.
Lorne and Lillian Campbell
enjoyed a week's vacation at the
Cranberry Golf - Resort in
Collingwood. John and Linda
Campbell were guests with them for
a
/
Naked Ladies for sale
John Gaunt and his furry friend Bernie welcome visitors to
Treasure Valley Crocus on Amberley Road and the Belgrave
Road where he sells naked ladies (crocuses) at the end of
the driveway. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
When the leaves begin to die
down, the flower goes dormant -
again.
In July, when digging season
begins, which is all done by hand, he
sorts the corms by grade and size
and has them shipped all over
Canada.
"I've had a harvest sent away to
Yukon, Newfoundland and
Season for Naked Ladies here
Special gift
These youngsters leave the stage at Belgrave arena with a
unique gift from Mario and the Magic Coat performance on
Friday night. (Vicky' Bremner photo)
Si
gitta,t anniuefto,aw
2
a.
Kevin James Dunbar and Heather Lynn Blake, childrep of
John and Edith Dunbar of Listowel and James and-Evelyn
Blake of R.R. #2, Blyth, were united in marriage on October
4, 2003 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church Brussels. Father
John Johnson officated. The matron of honour was Lynn
McNichol, friend of the bride, and the bridesmaids were Lisa
Stevenson and Lorraine Blake, sisters of the bride, Christa
O'Neil, friend of the bride, Leanne Haggitt, cousin of the
bride. The best man was Terry Brown, friend of the groom.
The ushers were Steve Dunbar, brother of the groom, Kirk
Baillie, Dan Zettel and Evan Richards, all friends of the
groom. Junior usher was Nathan Wharton, cousin of the
bride. Scripture readings were done by Krista Dunbar,
sister-in-law of the groom, Laura Taylor, friend of the bride,
Leslie Brown, friend of the bride and groom. Greeters at the
church were Shawn and Jenn Nicholson, friends of the bride.
Master of Ceremonies were Bob and Clara Blake, uncle and
aunt of the bride. The reception was held at Atwood
Community Centre. Kevin and Heather wish to express their
sincere thanks to all their family and friends especially those
family and friends who helped make the entire day possible.
We love you all. Kevin and Heather.
•I''n'Ant4