Our Association

Member of O.H.A.

Garden Aurora is a member of the Ontario Horticultural Association.

A Welcome Message from the Board…

We are always pleased to welcome new members and guests to our monthly meetings, and to join us in participating in Aurora community events. To join our online meeting as a guest/visitor please contact Cindy at scythes.kavchak@sympatico.ca

2018 marked our 100th Anniversary

In 1991, our Society adopted the Aurora Geranium as its floral emblem. The Aurora Geranium grows in Mexico and Costa Rica.

2012 - Photograph by Ray Matsalla

1990 - Illustration by Holly Williamson

Dear members, greetings to all!

Garden Aurora’s 105th season has been one of growth. Many new members have joined us – the biggest increase in recent years. It’s been a pleasure for us to get to know you, your gardens, and your skills. It’s wonderful to see everyone enjoying our seasonal activities and gathering for speaker presentations.

Garden Aurora held a successful community Plant Sale and an amazing Garden Tour. For the second year we celebrated Aurora’s gardeners by displaying Gardens of Distinction lawn signs. Our Canada Day Parade group impressed everyone on Yonge Street. We had a record number of flower show entries and participation at our member meetings (and the return of treats!) We look forward to these events and encourage you to tell friends and neighbours about us. Our positive reputation in the community has resulted in the addition of new outreach projects. These Garden Aurora volunteers are doing the dirty work – the physical effort that we love as gardeners. The organizations are grateful for the garden help and the sharing of knowledge, and the Board appreciates that our volunteers are such great ambassadors for Garden Aurora.

This year was Marie Wright’s first as new Secretary. Marie’s helpful outlook and board experience quickly became a welcome addition to our team. In 2023, we chose to hold all Board meetings via Zoom to make best use of time. Your Board of Directors is working on administrative projects to follow new guidelines for non-profit groups and policies for inclusive communication with members and our community partners. In 2024 we will participate in the OHA (Garden Ontario) Convention and the District 5 AGM, and we will continue to offer educational presentations and share up-to-date garden information with you. We’d be happy to welcome members to share skills and join us on the Board.

Garden Aurora members are helpful and engaged with meetings, committees, and community events. We also appreciate the volunteers that bring treats, help set up, drive other members, greet visitors, make deliveries, take photos, donate and care for plants, offer second-hand goods, create designs, bring flowers/veggies/plants to display, point out beautiful gardens, teach wreath-making, answer questions, promote our club, and support one another. We are always interested in your ideas, suggestions and feedback. Happy gardening!

With much appreciation, your board.

Meet Our Board of Directors

GARDEN AURORA

President: Donna Lewis

Vice President: Branislava Milosevic
Secretary: Marie Wright
Past President and Treasurer: Cindy Scythes

Directors, and Committees
Membership - Heather McFarquhar
Publicity - Jovan Milosevic

Members at Large
Sonia Koczekan
Linda Bulloch

Margaret Auld

Jetta van der Pels (corresponding)

Event Planning Chairpersons
Plant Sale - Donna Lewis
Garden Tour - Judy Ryan
Flower Shows - Silvana Croce and Donna Lewis
Special Events - Shirley Binns, Cindy Scythes