The June 22nd meeting at the Rotary Club of Brampton started off with some levity. Rotary Rib'n'Roll Co-Chairs, Vanora Spreen and Tim Lockhart were awarded The Water Wing Award for their resilience and adaptability for their leadership during the Saturday downpour that closed our annual fundraising event in Gage Park for the day.
Thanks to the support of donors during Rib'n'Roll, the Club presented a $5000 cheque to Childhood Cancer Canada. Jennifer Bheemsingh, Senior Coordinator, Events at the organization received the cheque from Vanora.
With all the gardeners in the Club, members were thrilled to welcome Dorota Polonska on June 22nd 2026 to deliver a talk about planting native species in the garden. Dorota explained the importance of supporting local pollinators by having native trees, shrubs and perennials in your yard.
She suggested native plants such as violas, wild geranium, wild columbine, and Hoary Vervain and other native plants for small gardens. She recommended foxglove beardtongue for the show it puts on. She gave a call to action and encouraged everyone to add one native species to their garden.