Nobleton Notes
Hopes are expressed there will be lots of flags waved for Canada Day
By Angie Maccarone (905) 859-5174

Nobleton United Church

This Sunday (July 1), the service will be at 11:15 a.m.

As we celebrate Canada Day and sing O Canada proudly, we will also listen to our sermon titled A rich inheritance from Canada

All are welcome.

Horticulture

"Getting to know you, getting knowing all about you, learning to like you and hoping that you like me."

And here's a plant we should get know and like much better!

Penstemons, although native to North America, found popularity in Britain and other parts of Europe long before they gained the attention of gardeners on this continent. They are still under-appreciated and under-used by gardeners in our area.

Penstemons (PEN-sti-- muns), which range in height from six inches to two fee (15 to 60 cm) are a genus of the large scrophulariaceae family, some of whose members include angelonias, snapdragons (antirrhinum), foxgloves (digitalis) and chelone (turtlehead). They were used many years ago to treat scrofula, a glandular disease. The First Nations people of Canada used penstemons to alleviate toothaches and shared this knowledge with the pioneers. The great Swedish botanist Linnaeus classed this immigrant from the Americas as type of chelone. Only later was it recognized as a new genus.

These perennials are generally easy to grow and care for near the front of a sunny garden, with average soil that has had some composted cattle manure or the like added to it. Varieties that do well in this area are penstemon, Barbatus, Hirsutus, Rondo, grandiflora Prairie Snow, Red Husker white, Sour Grapes purple, Prairie Fire rose red, Prairie Dusk pink-purple and Ruby Candle, clear red which will bloom for up to eight weeks. Most of these grow about 18 inches to two feet (45 60 cm). The tubular flowers that grow up the sturdy stems of penstemons often have beautifully marked contrasting throats from which this gets its common name "beard tongue."

There are European developed hybrids which have larger blooms in a wider colour range, but by breeding in these traits these human engineered plants have had much of their hardiness bred out and will not winter here. Occasionally they are available in local garden centres in the annuals section.

Penstemons are fairly easy to propagate. Just take a broken stem or cut off a stem so you've got six inches (15 cm). Put it in a container of water and in about a week it should have roots starting. Do the this with coleus or fibrous begonias as well. Children's Clothing Circle

open house at St. Paul's

This Saturday (June 30), the Children's Clothing Circle will be hosting a summer clearance and open house from 9:30 until 11 a.m.

If you are in need of children's clothing (infants to teenagers), or know someone in need, please come and help yourself to our huge summer selection. All items are free.

During the summer, the Children's Clothing Circle will be open at the same time as the King Township Food Bank - July 28 and Aug. 25, from 9 until 11 a.m. The Food Bank will also be open this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Our theme for this year's Bible Fun Camp is Son Force Kids. It will be held July 9 to 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every morning. This fun-filled program, with music, crafts, Bible stories, snacks and games, is ideal for children aged four to 12 years. To register your child(ren) and their friends, please call the church office at (905) 859-0843. There is no cost for this program.

Join us this Sunday (July 1) at 9:45 a.m. for our worship service. There is no nursery care provided this Sunday due to the long weekend. Sunday school, for adults only, follows the service at 11 a.m.

For more information about any of our activities, please contact the church office at (905)859-0843.

Canada Day celebrations

Canada Day is fast approaching and it would be a good gesture of patriotism if we all went out and displayed our country's flag on our lawn leading up to Sunday.

I know that in the United States, there are flags flying everywhere and it is somewhat sad driving around the streets of Nobleton, King City and Schomberg and not seeing any flags waving in the breeze.