Rhododendron & Azalea News - Ideas for Chapters

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Ideas for Chapters Tacoma Chapter's 50 Years		Bill Brackman, president of Tacoma Chapter, reports the Golden Anniversary Show for the Tacoma Chapter on May 1. What a milestone in their history. He's urging all present, past, and future members to participate in their Show just prior to the ARS National Convention in Olympia, the first of May. Bring lots and lots of blooming rhodos to make an impressive display. They deserve congratulations of the finest order.

Websites…		Wow…Wow…they're everywhere! Yes, indeed, more and more chapters are establishing websites and are finding them extremely valuable. Some chapters have reported receiving new memberships because of the warm invitation to "come and look us over."

ARS Chapter Websites		You can access the various chapter websites at www.rhododendron.org by clicking "Chapters," selecting "Websites"…and you'll find a listing of chapters and those having websites. According to last count: 27 of 71 chapters have branched out into cyberspace. An added bonus at some sites…soft-playing classical music! What a delight! Blends in so beautifully with the elegance of beloved rhododendrons. Do try exploring the ARS websites. You may even want to "save them among your "Favorites" so you can visit the sites often. You'll be pleased, too, to know what other chapters are doing to tell the world the values of belonging to the ARS, to learn how to keep abreast of new findings, sometimes a review of a book, and other related items. Again, try it! You'll like it!

From Brenda MacDonald, Fraser South Chapter		The Yak, newsletter for Fraser South Chapter, reported in their January 2003 issue, "Our website seems to be a tremendous success. Since its establishment last summer we have had over 2,000 "hits." They gave special thanks to Chris Klapwijk for making the site so valuable and successful.

Azalea Chapter website		Don Smart, Cascade Chapter, recently wrote in his newsletter about the Azalea Chapter website: "The Azalea Chapter of the ARS has just put up a website, which has some very good content. In particular, at http://azaleachapter.com/propagation.htm, they have Allen Cantrell's illustrated talk on propagating native azaleas from root cutting; Earl Sommerville's approach to rooting stem cuttings; and Frank Pelurie's approach to raising natives from seed." Don goes on to say that even though what they have is geared towards the South's native azaleas, much of it applies to all rhododendrons. He would definitely be interested to know if there is anyone who has tried the "root cutting" method in other places.

Love Your Neighbor!		The word is out…boys will be boys! Gail DaPont of Whidbey Island reports the message is out…moreover the message has appeared in several newsletters! But Gail's report is the best: Listen… "I have it on good authority that three or four pink flamingos are turning up in chapter members' gardens. They visit for a while and then move on. The reason I can vouch for the scenario is because they turned up in MY garden over the holiday and soon they will migrate into another member's yard." Let me explain: this started as a pink flamingo joke on Frank Fujioka. Someone, who shall remain nameless, planted the flamingos in Frank's yard while he was gone. After days of detective work, Frank was able to root out the culprit (no, it wasn't me). I made a comment about the birds and the next thing I knew they mysteriously appeared in my yard. Frank suggests we have some fun with these pink flamingos and help them traverse the Island. If the flamingos mysteriously appear in your garden, you are challenged to get them into another member's yard (without getting caught!). I'll keep you updated on their 'flocking' travels." Warren F. Timmons III, president, ARS Cascade Chapter, thinks it would be great if "these birds" all migrated to the East Coast. Maybe they might make the conference next year. Oh, of course, first to the conference in Olympia. So, be watching for the migrating pink flamingos! And, he looks forward to more detailed reports on the flamingo sightings.

Faithfulness in attendance		The "old" swims circles around the "young." This note should be an inspiration to all. Barbara Campbell, past director of District 5, writes: Some mention should be given to two of the members of the California Chapter, Walter and Carrie Loescher. These precious friends drive from Paradise (that's in California) to Oakland…then they drive back home again the same night. Moreover, it's a three-hour-plus drive each way…(that's a two-day trip for Barbara.) But, listen to this…the amazing thing is Walter is 89 and he had a hip replacement within the past year. Amazing! They have a four-acre place in Paradise with several greenhouses and a great rhododendron landscape. The ARS members and friends tip our hats to you, Walter and Carrie.
Serving refreshments		Treats IS the word in the Nanaimo Chapter! One thing that has caught the editor's eye…someone else cherishes chocolate chip cookies, too. Who could that be? Paul Lawry, editor of the Nanaimo newsletter, seems to want to make sure the potluck dinners have his favorite finger food. Chocolate chip cookies! Paul, why don't we make a "tasting and judging contest" to see which cookie recipe is the best. You know, it seems a splendid idea to me, to have some wonderful cookies and sit in the garden and admire the rhododendrons! Honestly, it seems that most of the chapters have some type of refreshments for their meetings. Some are before, others after the meeting. It does set the scene for a better relaxation time and fellowship. If your chapter is not serving refreshments, it might be worth consideration.

New member incentive		The Victoria Chapter has a policy to give a small rhododendron plant to each new member as a welcome gift and instructions on "how to" accompanies the gift. Nice idea for other chapters to consider. An idea, could such a suggestion be added to the chapter's website…you'll get a "free" rhodo when you join. Thanks to Victoria Chapter for your leadership!

Rhodo and flower cards		Marnie Brightenstein, Whidbey Island artist and gardener, has just finished a striking painting of a deep-red rhododendron. It is the newest of gorgeous flower portraits added to her collection of Garden Gift Cards, which include: holly with berries, golden sunflowers, lilies, and more. These cards which are suitable for framing make great gift for gardeners. And, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to support the Meerkerk Gardens. This is reported by Kristi O'Donnell, Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. To those who may not be aware, some 23 years ago Ann Meerkerk bequeathed her garden to the Seattle Rhododendron Society. Pat Sasson, an energetic member of the Whidbey Chapter, has become very involved with Meerkerk. In June 2002, the Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens received its not-for-profit status in the state of Washington…truly from visualization to reality! You should visit this beautiful Garden, too.

Feature plant of the month		A real learning tool in the hands of a gardener. There are long-term and short-term members in the ARS and it is believed that to feature a certain plant each month and telling the history, planting, maintenance, and other features is a real "plus" to all. Several of the chapters follow this practice and it wants one want to make one rush out and purchase another rhodo to add to your collection. And, when the newsletter is viewed on the website, it really whets one's appetite for more. Just keep in mind that we are all learners and exposure to another viewpoint enhances and strengthens our knowledge of this genus called Rhododendron.

Door prizes		It's amazing to see how many chapters offer door prizes! Yes, that's right…a number of chapters offer door prizes as incentives to come to the meeting. Each chapter decides on what will be an award. Sounds like a good idea for each chapter to consider. The season of the year would be a determining factor: Spring, a new rhodo; Summer, chocolate chip cookies (like Paul enjoys!); Fall, bulbs for planting now, reward in the Spring; Winter, why not a fresh Christmas plant. Both men and women can add their suggestions. Believe me, men can come up with really good ideas.

Garden tours		Deborah Blenkarn, Nanaimo Chapter, offers this wonderful suggestion: Create tours of your members' gardens. She knows from experience. Last spring several Chapter members opened their gardens. Visits were organized to occur on consecutive Friday evenings throughout the major rhododendron flowering period. Members viewed a wide spectrum of gardens, varying in size, locations, topography, architecture, and planting. Of greater importance, it provided the venue for the sharing of ideas, information, inspiration, and even plant material. Visits confirmed my suspicions that the talents and knowledge of our membership is a great and relatively unexplored asset. While the visits themselves were convivial and pleasurable, their memory lingered to provide inspiration for the nurturing on my own garden and others. May the editor add her personal evaluation of this suggestion. It's true, and the plan works. How do I know? Because Eugene and Beth Paschall of the Midwest Chapter opened their beautiful garden in the spring of 2002 to the members of the ARS. And, it was the most beautiful garden to behold…equal to some seen in New Zealand and Australia. Came home wondering, what could be done with my 63'x103' plot. What an inspiration to view the results of Gene's more than 30 years of tender loving care to rhododendrons. It truly was a showplace! And, found that Deborah is right, the lingering memory of the Paschall garden has lasted a long, long time. Spring is nearly here…it might be an important item to put on your chapter's agenda: to organize a garden tour of members' gardens. You might consider inviting Paul from the Nanaimo Chapter and having chocolate chip cookies, too! Maybe he could be a judge of several kinds.

Flamingos on the go! Roosted again!		My, oh my…they have roosted again! The flamingos have flown again! Those vagabond flamingos took flight and landed in the garden of Pat Sasson, Whidbey Island Chapter. Pat stated, "While waiting and watching for the hummingbirds to come back…what did my wondering eyes behold…but three pink flamingos in my garden. They are nestled in rhodos just ready to bloom and are really quite lovely there. But I know someday they will just fly away as they are flighty birds I'm told." So you see these flamingos are on the move. Will your garden be next? Gail DaPont wants each to keep tuned in for the next thrilling episode. And, for those of you who might be wondering, no Gail didn't get caught!

Thoughts		Guardians of rare plants are obligated to propagate and distribute them. - Hellen Dilion, world-renowned garden writer