Miami Valley Hosta Society
Stimulating the Knowledge and Love of Hostas
Carry-in Dinner, Presentation and Meeting
Tuesday September 8, 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 9pm (***NOTE EARLIER START TIME***)
***Dinner starts at 6:30 pm***
Bring a dish to share.
Vandalia Senior Center
21 S. Tionda Dr.
Vandalia, OH 45377
Open to the Public
Speaker: Debbie Downes
Topic: My Journey with Native Plants
Debbie will discuss how an area of her property was in need of change and how she started a mini-prairie that she calls "chaos". What does that have to do with Hostas? Nothing really, but it is about making big changes to your garden and gardening style.
Debbie Downes was a founding member of the Osborn Historic Garden Club established in 2009. She served as club President for six years and Vice President for four years. As a member of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs (OAGC) she has served in various capacities and is currently serving as state President (2024-2026). Debbie is a retired Air Force Lt Colonel. She owned Mill Pond Acre Bed & Breakfast for 16 years in Fairborn. She is also a Greene County Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV). Her area of interest is native plants and she is currently earning her Advanced MGV Native Plants Specialization certificate. She spends most of her volunteer time at the Governor's Mansion Heritage Gardens in Bexley, Ohio. Debbie lives with her partner, Michael Cox who has a beautiful Hosta shade garden.