dNobleton Congregation at St. Paul's Presbyterian getting ready to mark Lent
Nobleton Notes
By Angie Maccarone (905) 859-5174

Seniors' euchre

The winners of euchre play Jan. 29 were Mary Bullock, Audrey MacDonald and Cathy Kiekebelt. The winners of Bid Euchre that evening were Helen Fleury, Lou Curtis and Audrey MacDonald.

Horticulture

". . . Snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes. Silver white winters that melt into springs. These are a few of my favourite things."

Hopefully, indoor winter gardening during this long, snowy winter, typical of Canadian winters over the years, has become one of your favourite things and is helping you see winter in a more positive light. It is a really a beautiful and necessary season in this region. The snow which protects the garden from bitter cold weather will help replenish groundwater after last year's drought. I must say that I'm glad to see a foot or so of snow covering my garden, which means I get a rest from digging, planting, weeding, watering, dead-heading and grasscutting for a few months.

Now that St. Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year (favourite winter celebrations for many people) are near, gifts of flowers and candy come to mind.

Pots of miniature roses are appearing in florists and supermarkets. Today, these roses, a product of hybridization, are much improved over those available in the past and they come in a wider range of colours. Most grow from six to eight inches high and need a sunny location. Nursery grown plants usually come in good soil, so do not need replanting in a mix for about a year. Unlike most house plants, these roses like moderately acid soil which should be kept evenly damp. Too much or too little watering will cause leaves to yellow and drop. Although humidity is not important (you can mist them once in a while) good ventilation is necessary as they don't like still air.

As with all roses, miniatures should be pruned. Cut off blooms within four or five days after they have opened to encourage new buds to form. As well prune back unproductive side branches almost half way to get the plant to branch more.

If the rose develops yellow leaves, even though it has been watered properly, it probably has mites. Isolate the plant and apply an insecticide or use "no pest strips," according to directions. This works for aphids as well.

Miniatures may be put outdoors during the summer and in fact this is recommended by many who grow these roses. During their time outside, give them some freedom of growth. Then in the fall, trim them back sharply to about a third their height and cut down on watering and fertilizing until new growth appears on most of the branches. This should result in persuading this winter favourite to bloom even better during that season next year.

By the by, I've been successful in planting potted Canadian miniature roses (the plastic tab in the pot usually says if the plant has been grown in Canada) in my garden and having them winter over.

Now if the icicles don't drip on and dissolve the snowflake butterflies - shades of Uncle Wiggly stories - I'll tell you all about another favourite winter flowering house plant, kalanchoe, next time.

The Nobleton - King City Horticultural Society wishes all in the community a happy St. Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese (Year of the Rat) New Year.

St. Paul's

Presbyterian Church

The Season of Lent Begins

Join us this Sunday (Feb. 10) for the First Sunday of Lent.

Rev. Dr. Jeff Loach will be with us once again. Our service begins at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday school for all ages follows at 11 a.m. Nursery care (for children five years and younger) is provided during the service.

Our Prayer Group meets tonight (Ash Wednesday) at 7:30 p.m.

The Thursday morning studies for men and women continue at 9:30 a.m. and the men's Saturday morning study begins at 8:30 a.m. There is a study on Prayer Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and the quilting ladies will meet at 9:30 a.m. also.

Our Youth Group will be travelling to Owen Sound this weekend to participate in Recharge Snow Camp.

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

WI luncheon

and euchre York Centre Women's Institute - Nobleton branch is again holding their annual luncheon and euchre Feb. 28 at noon at Vandorf Community Centre at 14663 Woodbine Ave. The cost is $12 per person. There will be door prizes, draw prizes and euchre prizes. For information call Mary Anne at (905) 859-0709.

At the WI meeting of Jan. 17, members worked on their seven Tweedsmuir History books, dating back to 1945 - getting them ready for copying for show at the 100th anniversary.

All ladies are welcome to WI meetings. Members are needed as we enter another 100 years. Mary Anne has several history books of Nobleton dating back to 1776 and hopes to sell them. The price now is $10. They are full of excellent material on Nobleton, especially on families.

CWL annual bake sale

Please try to attend and purchase home baked goods from the St. Mary Catholic Women's League annual bake sale, to be held this Sunday (Feb. 10), after the mass at 9:45 at St. Mary's Catholic School. All baked goods should be dropped off at 9 a.m. before the Mass.