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Graham Pearson PHF
Stories
ROTATELLER
ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON
 
Rotary April 12, 2021
 
With 23 in Virtual attendance, President Paul asked Steve Wilson to serve as our able Chair this morning. Steve also reported overall good health within his family following a recent Covid scare.
 
Marc C. delivered a thoughtful and professional Blessing, most suitable to our times, clearly demonstrating his Salvation Army training and experience.
Our guests this morning included our past and hopefully again future member Adriana Van Duyvendyk and her Brother Rick, today’s presenter.
As well member prospects Dale Worrel and Jennifer Lawrence joined us. Dale is deeply involved in the Shelter Box program, providing emergency disaster sheltering Worldwide. Jennifer who hails from South Africa is leading an important initiative to provide much needed support and clothing to several orphanages there.  Anyone with contacts in South Africa, especially Rotarian contacts, are encouraged to reach out to Jennifer to assist in making linkages. Jennifer is also a keen Chef as we found out after the call and would be very much interested in cooking for the Salvation Army (Heads up Marc).
 
Gary R. in his inimitably gentlemanly fashion introduced Rick Van Dyvendyk, who is number four of six kids in the Van Duyvendyk family. Many will recall patriarch Arie, a longtime member since 1968 and who founded Dutch Growers, a highly successful Saskatoon plant and shrub Nursery in 1963.
 
Rick hosts a very insightful 2 hour weekly radio show focusing on flora and fauna. His topic today focused on pollination, especially from the butterfly and bee population. Starkly stated, “Pollinators keep humans from starving” Rick began.
 
He described how Leaf cutter bees are well suited to Saskatchewan and are essential for Alfalfa pollination.
Attracting Pollinators to your garden will benefit most of your plants, and especially vegetables such as cucumbers.
Butter flies are especially important as pollinators and are attracted to brightly colored flowers that have flat surfaces to land on, such as sunflowers.
Even Moths, which some find annoying in their leaf eating caterpillar stage, are important to the pollination process.
Rick has found that in this past year of isolation, both butterfly and bird watching enthusiasm has taken off, describing how topical books are flying off the shelf the way toilet paper did in early 2020!
 
If one is planting with a purpose in mind such as for fruit, you need pollinators. The “iNaturalist” website (https://www.inaturalist.org/places/saskatchewan) is especially helpful in identifying Saskatchewan friendly butterfly and moth species.
 
To attract butterflies to your garden, Rick suggests adding a water feature like a fountain or bird bath. He has three water features in his yard and thus needs no chemicals to control pests as a result. By placing pebbles in shallow water, this allows butterflies to land for a drink. They also like big trees for protection. They especially prefer cabbage whites, leaving their larva in the cabbage leaves. Plants like the Painted Lady, Thistle and they aforementioned Sunflowers are great attractors as well.
 
Morning Cloak, Willow, Aspen and Poplar are also popular draws for the butterfly. Interesting Monarch Butterflies are quite rare in Saskatchewan barring one season where a high wind storm in the US blew quite a number off course and into our Province. The Butterfly Bush is another sought after attraction for local butterflies but does need replanting each year.
 
Butterflies especially like perennials, but the timing of planting is important. Cone flowers like False Nettle, Nettle, Mustard and Canola are all big enticements. As well Dandelions, Hollyhocks, Parsley, Dill and Panseys are large lures, along with Lilly’s, Fall Mums, Clover, Lobelia, Nicotiana, Clematis, Bee Bomb and Manarda. Shrubs such as Lilac, Blue Morang, and the Dwarf Korean are great draws for bees as well.
 
Spirillum, Hydrangeas and Nine Barks are also enticements for Butterflies who especially like the colors red, blue and violet. As well Heliopsis is another great mini sunflower with a flat flower, easy to land on for a butterfly.
 
Rick suggested both the Dutch Growers and U of S Websites as terrific plant identifiers.
 
On the topic of pest control, Rick suggested that while Tangle Foot can defeat fruit flies from apple trees, it can also trap birds, so he suggested using mesh cages instead. “Grub Buster” is great at controlling grubs, prompting your humble Editor to chime in with the suggestion of importing a herd (bevy, platoon, pod??) of Raccoons who very helpfully roll up great swaths of your lawn in the search of the tasty Grub. Unfortunately they are not nearly as diligent in replacing said swaths!!
 
During question period Rick offered suggestions such as not planting Invincible Spirit Hydrangea on the south side of your house as it’s too hot. Pine tree will produce lots of pine cones when under stress due to lack of water. He advised to not fertilize fruit trees as this puts them under unnatural stress as they are self-fertilizers.  Tulips need bone meal but avoid cutting off the bulbs to aid in future growth.
 
The Club thanked Rick and Adriana (who says she taught him everything he knows) for a most excellent and informative presentation as we head into spring gardening.
 
HAPPY DOLLARS
  • Gary R. - $50 to celebrate Paul Harris’s birthday and Gary’s role as part of the Paul Harris Foundation Leadership Committee.
  • Clare H. - $5 for his recent successful move into Hide Park View.
  • Graham P. - $50 for the recent win of Mr. Matsuyama at the Masters whom his son James had picked on one of his three teams. At this point “Eagle Eye” Gary R. quizzed Graham about a T*me magazine cover on Graham’s bookshelf portraying your humble Editor’s Cover Photo as the “2012 Thought Leader of the Year” (but of course). Graham demurely refrained from expanding upon this humbling but flattering experience lest it be construed as bragging. There followed several mutterings from various apparently jealous members, citing something called a “Four Legged Test” or some such hogwash.
  • Elaine Z. $10, but unfortunately the dreaded meddling Zoom mute button gremlin sabotaged our ability to hear the cause, but we are sure it was just and charitable.
  • Dale W. - $20 for having received his Vaccination shot Thursday at the Martensville location.
  • Mark G. - $10 for something or other, and a very good cause I’m sure, but left uncaptured by your easily distracted Editor. Sorry Mark. Blame to cat!
  • Marc C. - $20 in recognition of the Salvation Army recently serving 700 meals to families in need. Well done Marc and your team!!
 
In closing and as we see happier times ahead, remember the Accountant:
 
“There once was a counter of beans, who was deathly afraid of vaccines. His arm it was poked, from which it provoked, a series of squealish high screams!”
  
Steve W. announced that our next meeting will be held April 26th with a presentation by our District Governor Gail Marie Anderson. Steve also thanked Program Organizer Gary R., Treasurer Wayne P., Zoom Aficionado President Paul and your Humble Editor “Bean Counter” Graham P. Thanks to you as well Steve for an excellent job at Chairing.
 
Editor Graham Pearson
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