KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
Local journalism initiative reporter
As members of District 1 of the Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA), the Maxville, Martintown and Williamstown horticultural societies are following a long tradition of making outdoor spaces beautiful for others to enjoy.
District 1 is the most eastern of the OHA’s districts, made up of nine societies that also include Cornwall, Kemptville, Gloucester, Russell, Seaway Valley and Vankleek Hill, with volunteers providing leadership and education on gardening and environmental concerns.
The Maxville & District Horticultural Society, established over a century ago, is a 115-member strong group, that continues to beautify the communities across North Glengarry, including the gardens and planters at the cenotaph in Maxville, the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame and the Maxville Manor to name a few. In addition, the Society organizes 36 hanging baskets to be hung in the villages with the help of North Glengarry staff.
The Society’s members reflect the generosity that is part of the OHA’s mandate since its inception. Members include Trudy MacIntosh who donated greenery for winter planter displays in the villages, Shelby Rigby who donated mulch and soil for spring plantings, Ann Woite and Marjorie Munroe who provided workshops and donated all the materials. Members plan outings, educational sessions and fundraisers, such as the Annual Plant Sale. These efforts help the Society host a flower show for the residents at the Maxville Manor, plant and care for various gardens, including the village signs, and offer scholarships through the OHA for post secondary education.
Susan Ramsay, Director for OHA District 1, said the Maxville Society continues to set a high standard for other groups. They even set their banquet tables with fine china, just like the festive table settings for Maxville’s AGM.
The Williamstown Horticultural Society, fondly referred to as The Green Thumbs, contributes to South Glengarry’s beautification by planting and maintaining flower boxes on the Williamstown bridge for the summer and installing the Christmas lights for the holiday season. As well, the group plants and cares for public gardens throughout the area including the fairgrounds, the library in Lancaster and Glen Gordon Park.
The Green Thumbs partnered with the Char-Lan District High School shop class to build planter boxes, which are displayed at community events. Through the OHA, The Green Thumbs helped provide grants for the acquisition of the Geodome in Williamstown. In addition, the Society participates in the Boys and Girls Summer program at the Glengarry Nor’Westers & Loyalist Museum, where volunteers teach children about horticulture, how to grow their own produce and how to prepare their harvest for tasting. The Green Thumbs also host a very popular plant sale in the spring. In addition, the Society offers bursaries to Char-Lan students moving on to post-secondary studies in a horticulture or agriculture program.
50th anniversary
The Williamstown Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 with plans for special community events, garden contests, tree plantings and garden tours of private estates. As well, The Green Thumbs will be donating outdoor benches at the fairgrounds and museum to commemorate 50 years of bringing together people through the beauty of plants.
The Martintown Society, which celebrated 60 years in 2025, maintains gardens at the Community Centre and recently embarked upon a special project replacing garden plants with native varieties. Additionally, the members have planted trees at the Ken Barton Park, including three trees in 2025. The group also plants and cares for six flower boxes on the bridge in Martintown, 36 flower barrels placed throughout the village each summer, three of the large town welcome signs and tends to the cenotaph.
The organization is very busy during the holiday season, installing festive lights on the bridge and the mill. In addition, members provide prizes for the top three floats in the Santa Claus parade and funds for candy for children.
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