Lots of happenings planned for the year at St. Paul's Presbyterian
Nobleton Notes
By Angie Maccarone (905) 859-5174 St. Paul's Presbyterian Church

Just like at school!

St. Paul's Church in Nobleton had a wonderful Christmas season, and we are now back in full swing with our regular activities (as well as some new ones).

Thursday morning, the Men's and Women's studies will resume at 9:30 a.m.

This Friday, the Youth Group will be travelling to Laser Quest in Richmond Hill.

Saturday morning, a new Men's study will commence. They will begin with coffee at 8:30 a.m.

The adult study which follows the service Sunday will begin a new ALPHA program, beginning this Sunday (Jan. 13), and they will have lunch together following the study.

Watch the newspaper for other studies and activities that are planned for 2008.

Join us this Sunday, as Rev. Alyson McLeod leads us in worship at 9:45 a.m. Nursery care (for children five years and under) is provided during the service and Sunday school for all ages follows at 11 a.m.

For more information about any of our activities or events, contact the church office at (905) 859-0843 or visit our Web site at www.stpaulsnobleton.ca

Horticulture

"Maybe it's much too early in the game, ah but I thought I'd ask you just the same. What are you doing . . ."" with those plants or bouquets you received at Christmas?

I was given a bouquet of beautiful long stemmed roses. When they arrived, I cut a small slice off the end of each stem underwater and then put the whole bouquet in a container of water as hot as my hand could tolerate and let them sit overnight with water a little more than half way up the stems. Next day, as I arranged them in a vase of warm water to which half a packet of floral food that came with them had been added (a level teaspoon of sugar can be used instead), I stripped away any leaves that would be submerged. This helps keep the water fresh and the flowers last longer. I cut the stems so they are different lengths to make the arrangement more interesting. Every couple of days, I change the water and take a tiny slice off the stem ends. If a bloom still in reasonable condition droops, I will take the stem out, cut it underwater and put it back. The flower usually recovers.

If you got a cyclamen, keep it in bright light, but not direct sunlight. Mist it every two or three days. Some people do it daily and some say sit the plant on a tray of wet pebbles, but don't let the water in the tray touch the bottom of the pot.

Cyclamens like to be near a south facing window. They also do well near an east or west facing window. Too little light or too warm a room will cause the leaves to yellow and the flower buds to fall or wither. If the plant gets mites, they are very hard to control and it's best to get rid of it. You can spray it with a proper insecticide, cover it lightly with plastic and isolate it from other houseplants. The spraying may have to be repeated several times before all the mites are eliminated.

Poinsettias are generally tough. They will keep their colour longer if they are in a sunny location and well watered. Many will keep their bracts almost into spring. They tend to get leggy by then, but cut them back gently and plant them out in the sunny garden once there is no danger of frost. If you want them to produce new coloured bracts, they must be brought indoors in early September before any frost, repotted and put in a warm sunny place. Then from Oct. 1 until late November, they must be kept in complete darkness from 5 p.m. until 8 a.m. Keep their soil moist and remember to bring them into the light each morning. Failing even once to keep to this routine will seriously jeopardize the chances of getting the poinsettia to reflower.

Azaleas like a cool, but sunny room to keep them thriving. Mist with warm water every two or three days to create the humidity they love. Most potted azaleas, like cyclamen, won't rebloom once the flowers have gone, although some potted azaleas, generally those with small flowers, are hardy and can be planted in the garden in June. After they finish flowering, give this variety an acid-type fertilizer according to package directions once a month until they are put outside. If they are going to be repotted to stay indoors, use an acid soil mixture.

When planting amaryllis lilies, at least one-third of the bulb should be above the surface of the soil. You can put the newly potted bulb in a dark place and water it sparingly until the flower bud starts to show. Now move the lily to a sunny, south-facing window and keep the soil damp. Long leaves will develop once the flower has died. Continue to water the lily until these leaves wither. The bulb may be put in the garden once all danger of frost has passed, even if the leaves are still green. Bring it indoors before the autumn frost. Cut any leaves off and repot as above. It may rebloom, but some horticultural experts claim less than 50 per cent of bulbs do.

All these houseplants like dampish but not soggy soil. Most houseplants die from over watering. Sunlight pouring through a window will burn plants sitting too close to the glass. Avoid putting indoor plants where they will get constant draughts, especially cold ones.

Amaryllis and poinsettias are mildly poisonous if ingested and therefore should be kept out of the reach of pets and small children.

Seniors'

euchre

Dec. 11 euchre winners were Helen Bible, Paula Lattanville, Carol Burbidge, Walter Hill, Murray Hilliard, Herb Workman, and Ray Hilliard. The lucky draw winner was Ray Hilliard. There will be a bid euchre session Jan. 15 at 7:30 pm in the Drop-in Centre. All are welcome.

A bus trip to Rama is being considered for Feb. 11. For more information, contact Lou at (905) 859- 0519. The bus trip to Owen Sound was great and enjoyed by all.