WEYBURN - Two long-term members of Weyburn’s Horticultural Society, Heather Cugnet and Grace Plonka, were nominated and inducted as honorary members of the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association at the annual provincial convention, held in Weyburn last October.
Both of these women have made major contributions to the club’s success. To be eligible for nomination, one must be a resident of Saskatchewan who has rendered valuable service to the cause of horticulture; who has demonstrated leadership ability in horticulture at the local, district, or provincial level; been involved in furthering horticultural information in Saskatchewan; and to have demonstrated leadership in local, district and provincial organizations.
Heather Cugnet joined the Weyburn Horticultural Society in 1983. In her 41 years as a member, she has held the following positions within the club: director, vice president, president, and archives.
She has been instrumental in the longevity of our local club. For many years there were only a few individuals willing to hold executive positions.
Heather was named an honorary member of the Weyburn Horticultural Society in 2018 and has convened and co-convened both the Weyburn Lily, Rose and Perennial show and the Annual show several times held in Weyburn. She has chaired and co-chaired the annual spring plant sale for many years.
Heather has been active as both a presenter, and as clerk at times, at shows held, and has hosted Provincial Shows two years consecutively (2012 and 2013).
Heather sat on the SHA Board from 2013-2015, has coached numerous individuals on how to effectively present entries when showing and has participated as a guest speaker at our locally held meetings giving presentations about the guidelines and tips for presenting and showing plants successfully.
In her time as a member, Heather has made over 1,100 combined entries in local and provincial shows. She has received numerous trophies and rosettes for her entries.
Heather has always kept a beautifully landscaped farmyard. She opened her home to host the June potluck supper for members several times.
As members toured the varieties of plants she has on her property, she always welcomed members to grab a shovel and take a portion of something if they liked it.
Heather specializes in perennials, tulips, and roses. Her substantial garden, although she humbly would call it nothing special, has been used functionally to sustain her family for over 50 years.
Grace Plonka joined the Weyburn Horticultural Society in 1995. In her 29 years as a member, she has held the following positions within the club: secretary, vice president, president, past president, programming, hospitality, and archives.
Grace was named an honorary member of the Weyburn Horticultural Society in 2018. She has convened and co-convened both the Lily, Rose and Perennial show and the Annual show held in Weyburn multiple times, always being active as both a clerk and a presenter at shows held.
Grace has chaired and co-chaired the annual spring plant sale for many years and hosted provincial shows for two years consecutively (2012 and 2013).
Grace sat on the SHA Board from 2010-2012. She served as the liaison person for the Weyburn Show in 2012, and also the silent auction, and bus tour during her term. She organized bus trips to Manitoba-Neepawa and International Peace Gardens, Watrous for provincial show, Radville and area, and Carrot River.
Grace, in her time as a member, has made over 1,000 combined entries in local and provincial shows (Regina, Windthorst, Weyburn). She has received numerous trophies and rosettes at both local and provincial level.
Grace has always kept a meticulous, picturesque yard. She specializes in lilies and currently has 25 Asiatic varieties. Grace has grown over 50 cultivators of roses from hardy roses, miniature and floribunda varieties.
Grace was instrumental in keeping the Weyburn Horticultural Society afloat for many years as there were only a few individuals willing to hold executive positions for a long period of time.
