November 16: Thom Luloff ” Nature’s Tiny Heroes”

Overview:
Your garden is more than just a pretty place—it’s a stage for some of nature’s weirdest and most wonderful performances. From slugs that secretly pollinate trilliums to earwigs that double as pest control, this talk will uncover the surprising and often overlooked roles of some of our least-loved garden visitors. Join us to discover the strange, sneaky, and surprisingly beneficial behaviors of the creatures lurking among your leaves and flowers. You may never look at your garden the same way again!

Biography

Thom Luloff is a Professor in the Conservation Biology and Fish and Wildlife programs at the School of Environmental Resources and Natural Sciences, Fleming College.   Thom has spent his career in wildlife science, completing his degrees in Medical Science from Western University, and working on research projects at the Advanced Facility for Avian Research and the Toronto Zoo.  Thom is passionate about wildlife conservation and protecting species at risk.  He is the Senior Wildlife Biologist at Kawartha Wildlife Centre and is the Liaison to Nature Canada for Bird Friendly Cities Peterborough, bringing his expertise in animal biology to help guide these organizations in making decisions that are ecologically sound and best serve Ontario’s native species. Thom grew up outside of Pembroke, Ontario and currently lives with his wife and three kids on a 50-acre farm in Selwyn which he has turned into a grassland-bird conservation project, complete with landscape modification to create habitat for amphibians, reptiles, and of course, birds!  His favourite colour is green, and he has a completely irrational dislike of chocolate ice cream!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/november-16-thom-luloff-natures-tiny-heroes/

Omemee Scarecrows raise donations for food bank

By Robyn Best, Kawartha Lakes Weekly

Omemee residents may have recently noticed King Street was overtaken by scarecrows. The scarecrow invasion returned for its seventh year, collecting donations for the Omemee Food Bank.

The annual event started just before COVID, run by the Omemee Blooms Garden Club. The club works to keep the downtown area looking fresh and seasonal. They maintain the various gardens and planters within Omemee.

Traditionally, businessess and residents decorate their homes with scarecrows. This year, members of the club, the Omemee Food Bank, and the Omemee Lions, dressed up as scarecrows.

“We want to be out there in the community more, and we do have a lot of fun,” said club member Joan Harding.

With large bins places along the streeet, the scarecrows waved at passersby to encourage donations. The LCBO was also taking donations for Kawartha Lake Food Source.

The street was decorated with cornstalks, straw bales and pumpkins, all donated by Kennedy Farms. “It’s my community and I want it to thrive, if I can help to make it better, I’m all for that,” Jason Kennedy said.

The items were returned to the farm after the event was over, with all items available for use again.

President Joanne Windrem said donations had already been received fore the event even starts. “It’s a good cause and people support that.”

Members of the Omemee Blooms Garden Club, Omemee Food Bank, and Lions Club collected donations for the food bank. Photo: Robyn Best.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/omemee-scarecrows-raise-donations-for-food-bank/

October 19: Laura Gardner “Winter Sowing”

Please join us October 19 at the Omemee Legion.

Door open 6:30 for a Social Half Hour. Meeting starts at 7pm.

Don’t forget to Lug-A-Mug.          Visitors are Welcome -$5 

Monthly Competition: Anything from your Garden that Jack Frost hasn’t damaged.

 Winter Sowing

Discover the benefits of starting seeds outdoors in the fall or winter vs. indoors. In this session, you will learn all about the winter sowing process—from determining appropriate species for sowing, to choosing the best starting medium and types of growing containers.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/october-19-laura-gardner-winter-sowing/

Friday, Sept. 25, 1-4pm: Live Scarecrows on King St

Omemee Blooms Garden Club

Invites you to join them Friday Sept. 25 1-4pm

‘Live Scarecrows’ on King St. Omemee

Join in the fun & pose for a photo!

Foodbank collections; Non-perishable food items or monetary donations accepted.

Link to the Omemee Food Bank Wish List for September

Facebook; Omemee Blooms Garden Club

Contact; Joan 705-313-9868 or Joanne- President 705-991-3214 for info.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/uncategorized/friday-sept-25-1-4pm-live-scarecrows-on-king-st/

Omemee Food Bank September Pantry Update

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/omemee-food-bank-september-pantry-update/

September 21: Jim Jones “Big Ass Garlic”

Big Ass Garlic has been in existence for over 30 years providing the best Ontario Garlic at affordable prices.

Evolving over the years, Big Ass Garlic has developed and perfected a multitude of associated products all featuring garlic. They sell gourmet garlic BBQ sauces, mustard, relish, pickled garlic, beans, and asparagus.

Jim will be bringing garlic with him to sell.

Please join us September 21 at the Omemee Legion. Door open 6:30 for a Social Half Hour. Meeting starts at 7pm.

Don’t forget to Lug-A-Mug.

Visitors are Welcome -$5 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/september-21-jim-jones-big-ass-garlic/

Monday August 17, 2026: On-Site Visit to Cutting Gardens

Please join us on Monday, August 17th at the Cutting Gardens of our member Lucille Fowler.

Lucille will welcome us at 6:30pm in Lindsay at her home located at 7 Ridgewood Road, Kawartha Lakes (near the Lindsay Ex grounds)

Please bring a lawn chair if you would like to visit for a while. Omemee Blooms will provide some refreshments.

Consider riding with a friend as parking may be limited.

For $15, you can cut some flowers to bring home in a mason jar. 

Check out her Facebook account; Lucille’s Blossoms.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/monday-august-17-2026-on-site-visit-to-cutting-gardens/

Monday July 20, 2026: Rachel Burrows “Growing & Using Culinary Herbs”

Omemee Legion – Doors Open 6:30 Social Time      Meeting Start 7pm

Monthly Flower Competition: “A Stem From A Flowering Shrub”

Lug-A-Mug & Door Prizes

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Rachel started looking more closely at herbs after her husband was diagnosed with heart disease and therefore had to cut out salt and eat more healthily.

Rachel will concentrate on some of the different herbs that are easy to grow and make a delicious addition to our meals. She will bring along some of her plants for people to touch and smell. She will cover growing conditions; most herbs are pretty easy to grow and most bugs don’t bother them due to their strong scent and flavour. Harvesting is important; the right time and storage.

She will discuss cooking with herbs; her most favorite, enjoyable part.

A few copies of recipes that she uses all the time will be available. Rachel will have lots of ideas for the best way to use them to spark up your meals. She plans to have a couple of samples to taste.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/monday-july-20-2026-rachel-burrows-growing-using-culinary-herbs/

Cancelled: Guided Forest Walk Saturday June 27 2026

Please be advised that the Guided Forest Walk on Saturday June 27 2026 has been cancelled.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/events/cancelled-guided-forest-walk-saturday-june-27-2026/

May 19: Day Trip to Richter’s Herbs, Goodwood

357 Durham Hwy 47, Goodwood

MAY 19TH. – 10am Guided tour

                    -12:30PM   Lunch at Annina’s Bakery and Catering, 300 Durham Hwy 47, Goodwood

We will be carpooling from Omemee Firehall: 8:45AM

[Sign up for this trip!]

For questions, contact Joan @ 705-313-9868 or DJHARDING2014@OUTLOOK.COM .

GUESTS – $5. FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES

There will be no regular meeting at Omemee Legion in May.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.omemeeblooms.ca/uncategorized/may-19-day-trip-to-richters-herbs-goodwood/