Rhododendron and
Azalea News

Nan Ray,
De Anza Chapter

The De Anza Chapter, San Francisco area, was pleased to present the Bronze Medal, its highest award, to Nan Ray in recognition of her years of work for the chapter.

Since joining the chapter in the early 1980's, Nan has been involved in virtually all of its activities.  She has held, at various times and sometimes more than once, most of the officer positions of the chapter and because of her knowledge and enthusiasm has been a success at all of them.  She has judged at chapter shows up and down the West Coast.  She has helped with the organization of local conventions and been instrumental in the success of our own shows and plants sales.  The whole chapter has benefited from her dedicated volunteer work at Strybing Arboretum where she is involved in the propagation of rhododendrons, particularly vireyas, and her vast network of personal contacts in the rhododendron world.  She opens her home to chapter speakers from outside the area and has hosted many of the chapter's social events.

Nan, for your long-standing support of all the facets of the De Anza Chapter, we present this award with grateful appreciation.

Joan & Alan Yoder,
Komo Kulshan Chapter

Recently the Komo Kulshan Chapter, Everson, Washington, was proud to present the Bronze Medal, to Joan and Alan Yoder.

Joan and Alan have been members of the chapter for 11 years and, in that time, have loyally attended almost every meeting, bringing their knowledge of plants and their good cheer with them.  Proof of their deep interest in rhododendrons was their willingness to move their nursery, A Touch of Color Gardens, to the site of the former Komo Kulshan Nursery owned by the late Alma and Larry Allbaugh.

Joan has served on the chapter board of directors as secretary/treasurer, and for several years as our newsletter editor. Alan has served as vice president, program chairman, and president. He is especially appreciated for his technical knowledge of rhododendron culture and is hard to stump when it comes to questions of a scientific nature. They also have been generous in their donation of plants.

When the Komo Kulshan Chapter was asked to host the 2002 Western Regional Conference, Joan and Alan boldly stepped up as co-chairs and logged innumerable hours in that capacity.  Alan not only chaired the conference planning committee but also coordinated the various committees and personally helped with the phyto-certificates for the plant sale.  Joan, our culinary expert, miraculously planned all food and beverage events and, with Lori Bayes, personally helped in preparation and serving.

The chapter thanks Joan and Alan for their willingness to help in all these various ways and is grateful to them for sharing their many skills and good spirits.

Kevin Rooney,
Pine Barrens Chapter

Kevin Rooney, the officers and board of directors of the Pine Barrens Chapter, New Jersey, want to recognize you for your many years of valuable and productive involvement with the chapter.

Your leadership and dedicated service to our small chapter, while serving as vice president and president, helped to keep the chapter focused.  Your untiring effort to plan programs and get high-quality speakers for the meetings enabled the membership to increase their knowledge of the genus Rhododendron.

For your willingness to continue to be a major and active member, to educate yourself, chapter members, and the public, we are proud to present you with our highest award in the Pine Barrens Chapter...the Bronze Medal of the American Rhododendron Society.

V. Leon Pace,
Southeastern Chapter

The Southeastern Chapter, Hendersonville, North Carolina, had the privilege of presenting a Bronze Medal to V. Leon Pace, with this notation:

You have served our chapter well.  You have come early and stayed late to lend energetic assistance.  With a smile, you have performed whatever task was at hand, even those jobs requiring long hours and perspiration.  Your friendly spirit exemplifies that of cooperation and public service.  You seek out visitors at our meetings and welcome them warmly.  For these and other contributions too numerous to mention, the Southeastern Chapter salutes you and bestows this, its highest honor, the Bronze Medal.

Jean L. Pace,
Southeastern Chapter

Jean L. Pace is hereby presented the Bronze Medal in recognition of leadership and service.  These words were the introduction to a recent presentation.  These are the added thoughts.

You have graciously extended your hand in warmth and hospitality to all of us.  Your friendly spirit brightens and enlivens each meeting.  Your careful attention to detail and thoughtful planning make you the perfect choice for complex jobs others might eschew.  You have discharged chapter duties faithfully, enthusiastically, and energetically.

For these and other contributions too numerous to mention, the Southeastern Chapter salutes you and bestows this its highest honor.

Joseph Bruso,
Massachusetts Chapter

At the November Founders' Day Brunch, Joseph Bruso was presented with the ARS Bronze Medal.  George Silverman made the presentation and had this to say:

Joe, there are organizers and there are doers.  Sometimes an organization is lucky enough to have a member like you who is both.  You have been a supportive member of the chapter and its various activities since 1988 and, with your interest in species, and active member of the Species Study Group for many years.  But, it is just recently that your star really began to shine.  We saw the first strong glimmers at Convention 2000, where you served as registrar.  You were seen at the sign-in desk at all hours of the day and night, and were involved in all details of the event...a real cornerstone of the convention.

In 2001, you were elected to the board.  Shortly after, the glimmer turned into a bright light and you agreed to chair the first Elm Bank Truss Show and Auction.  With your good planning and strong leadership (and the experience of many workers), the day was a success despite unexpected obstacles.  You also had the foresight to marry Nancy, who stepped in to cover an unexpected vacancy in the kitchen department and lend a strong back later in the day. Since then, you chaired the event a second year, volunteered to help with the Elm Bank Display Garden, and, when a vacancy arose, took over the Van Veen order with your usual quiet competence.  As if those activities were not enough, you have provided articles for chapter publications, participated in Plants for Members, and even served as secretary of the board when needed.

The chapter is indeed fortunate to have you as a member, and is pleased to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society.

Award of Merit to Weston Nurseries

At the Founders' Day Brunch, Susan Clark, editor of the Massachusetts Chapter newsletter, presented the Award of Merit on behalf of the chapter to Weston Nurseries.  On hand to receive the plaque were Wally Mezitt, Wayne Mezitt, and his son, Peter, three generations of the family that owns this outstanding local nursery. The text of the award:

"Since the founding of the American Rhododendron Society, Massachusetts Chapter in 1971, Weston Nurseries has actively supported and contributed to our group.  Starting with the initial generosity of Edmund and Wally Mezitt, the nursery has continuously supplied plants to the chapter for our auctions, display gardens, and conventions.  They have opened their fields and facilities for both conventions and small groups to tour and enjoy.  They have always promoted our favorite genus and helped to educate the public about it.

Their extensive and continuing generosity should not be taken for granted and we would like to formally and publicly express our gratitude.  We, therefore, take great pleasure in presenting this American Rhododendron Society Award of Merit to Weston Nurseries."

Deaths

The Victoria Chapter's newsletter told of the great loss of the passing of Angus Boyd.  In 1991-92 Angus was the president of the Victoria Chapter during which time his wisdom and skills were of inestimable value in the handling, with Bruce Maycock, of the important matter of investing the funds resulting from the 1989 Convention.  Also, among our happy memories of Angus is the picnic that he and Mary, his wife, held in their beautiful Deep Cove garden, where the enjoyable hospitality in spite of the terrible weather.

At the Oban Convention and tour of Scottish gardens that followed it, his cheerfulness and good humor contributed much to the general enjoyment of the group.  We will all miss Angus's regular attendance at our meetings and his contribution of friendliness and interest.

Fleurette Evans,
California Chapter

The California Chapter reported in their January Newsletter that their member, Fleurette Evans, died on December 3, 2003.  Even though they hadn't seen her for about three years, they have many wonderful memories.  They especially enjoyed her beautiful home and garden.  Fleurette and her husband, Jack, became active in the California Chapter in the 1950s.  In addition, they served the ARS in many ways, and everyone enjoyed and valued their friendship.

Edward Gray Millais

"Ted" Millais was the youngest grandson of the Pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais.  However, it was his uncle, the Victorian naturalist, J. G. Millais and author of the great two-volume edition on rhododendrons dated 1917 and 1924, who inspired and kindled Ted's lifelong interest in rhododendrons from a young age.

Ted's first job was at Sunningdale Nurseries near Woking.  The privilege of working there was considered so great they paid him no wages.  He started his first nursery in 1938 at Bracknell, but this had to be sold during the war.  Ted met his wife, Romy, in 1946, and they bought Crosswater Farm at Churt, near Farnham.  Here they grew mushrooms until 1969, when Ted developed his long-standing hobby of rhododendrons into Millais Nurseries, which now grows one of the largest ranges of rhododendrons in the country.

His enthusiasm for rhododendrons then spread to species, and his eyes were opened wide when he visited Sikkim for the first time in 1982 on a trek lead by Daku Tensing, the wife of Tensing Norgay of Everest frame.  From then until his last trek in 1995, he and his ever-supportive wife, Romy, returned most years to the Himalayas.  With the gradual opening up of China to visitors during the 1980's, Ted was amongst the first Westerners to follow in the footsteps of the great plan hunters, such as Forest, Kingdon-Ward, and Rock in 1920.  This being in the days before any trekking companies existed in China, he initially obtained visas and permits through the Botanic Gardens at Kunming, and later hosted and showed Chinese botanists some of the great British collections in exchange.  Throughout this time he was always amused and delighted to be called "Professor" on official documents.  Among Ted's more interesting introductions were late forms of R. augustinii, July flowering R. decorum, denudatum, glanduliferum, huianum, irroratum var. ninyuenense and ochraceum.  In 1987 Ted was award the Royal Horticultural Society's Loder Cup in recognition of the value of his work with rhododendrons, and in 1988 he was invited onto the RHS Rhododendron and Camellia Committee where he served until 1999.

Ted was a plantsman who specialized in rhododendrons almost exclusively.  However, in later life he did branch out, and when this happened he did so with extraordinary determination to learn everything he could about his subject.  He continued to develop and plant the six-acre gardens at Crosswater, and in his last two years purchased and planted a significant collection of new Sorbus and Magnolia, and created a new arboretum area.

Donald W. Paden

Don Paden of Urbana, Illinois, a long-time member of the Midwest Chapter, died August 6, 2003, just two months short of his 90th birthday.  Don was a professor of economics at the University of Illinois.  He served as director of the Center for Economic Education there and authored "An Introduction to Economic Analysis", plus many other publications.  Don served as an economist for the U.S. Department of Commerce during the World War II period.

For over 30 years, however, Don's hobby was gardening.  He was interested in growing ornamentals that were not commonly grown in the Midwest.  He started growing rhododendrons when it was common knowledge that "they could no be grown on the Illinois prairie."

A cross made by Stan Hall grew into a lovely, hardy pink rhododendron which Don introduced and named after his wife: 'Elaine Pagel Paden'. Don also named and introduced 'Aloha', from a cross made by Dr. Phetteplace who sent seed to the ARS Seed Exchange.  It is an attractive, free-flowering shrub now grown in many regions.  We were surprised to see it used in landscaping in Alaska.  He also registered his own hybrid 'White Felicity'.

Don also became interested in research.  He set up a laboratory in his basement, improvising with ordinary household equipment.  Without any training in biology or laboratory techniques, he taught himself how to grow rhododendrons in tissue culture and clone them.  He served on the ARS Research Committee for a number of years and was Director of District 11 for several terms.  He was awarded the Bronze Medal by the Midwest Chapter.

Don will be remembered by many for his work with rhododendrons, his enthusiasm and hospitality, and for increasing the use of rhododendrons in Midwestern gardens.

--Jim and Janice Gerdemann

Election of Directors
New District Directors have been elected for three-year terms and will commence responsibilities at the ARS annual meeting in May.

Harry Wright,
District Director, District 1

Harry Wright is affiliated with the North Island Rhododendron Society, Canada, and is the present president.  He says, "this is my fourth two-year term since I formed the chapter 19 years ago".  He received the Bronze Medal from the Chapter in June 1955.

I have a diploma in General Horticultural, University of Guleph, Ontario. I am a founding member and past president of the Comox Valley Horticulture Society and was instrumental in the creation of the Comox Valley Rhododendron Garden in the city of Courtenay.  After leaving the Royal Canadian Air Force, I owned and operated a landscaping firm before moving on to being the Parks foreman for the City of Courtenay. 

I'm a member of the Milner Gardens and Woodland Rhododendron Propagation Project.  I now operate a small rhododendron garden with a strong interest in hybridizing. I have registered five rhododendrons.

Several years ago I started recording the varieties of rhododendrons and known crosses that grow successfully in District 1.  So far, 113 gardeners have sent me their inventories with a total of 3,887, with several large gardens still to report.  I plan on having this in print for the 2005 convention in Victoria, B.C.

As District Director, I would like to see more interaction between Chapters, and a rhododendron species garden located at Milner Gardens & Woodland at Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Don Smart,
District Director, District 2

Don Smart has been a member of the Cascade Chapter, Bellevue, WA, since 1995.  He became involved with collecting rhododendrons several years earlier while landscaping a new yard.  His father-in-law was a long-time friend of Joe Davis and the two of them really contributed to Don's addiction.

Don has been very involved in Cascade Chapter activities since the beginning and in the years since has served as board member, vice president and program chairman, president, show and sale chair, and newsletter editor.  He was awarded the ARS Bronze Medal in 2001.  In past several years, Don's wife, Carolyn, has become actively involved with the chapter and is currently a board member.

Don and Carolyn's one acre has become a collection of several hundred different hybrids and species.  They have become interested in companion plants, such as Japanese maples, hostas, and ferns.  Recently they have been trying to turn their acre into more of a "garden" by adding these new collections.

Don retired from the telecommunications industry last year, but is currently doing part-time consulting as a web designer and programmer.  He helped with the development of the ARS office website for ARS officers' use for rosters and financial reports. He also helped develop the Society's www.rhododendron.org web site, which has become a very popular web destination for gardeners.  He is a member of the Electronics Media Committee and the Digital Publishing Committee of the ARS.

Don believes that if you are going to be a member of an organization, you should be involved as much as you can.  He would like to work towards making that a universal thought throughout the ARS.

W. A. "Bill" Stipe,
District Director Alternate, District 2

Bill Stipe has been the past manager of Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens on Whidbey Island, WA and is now the owner/proprietor of Glynneden Gardens, a garden nursery specializing in rhododendrons, located at his home on Whidbey Island.

Bill says, "I am an active member of the Seattle and Whidbey Island chapters of the ARS and was awarded the Bronze Medal in 1993.  Am also active in the Northwest Hybridizers Association with many of my hybrids in evaluation.  Have made several trips to China and am growing many of the seeds collected there.  Also have been researching innovative methods of conserving water, a scarce commodity on Whidbey Island.  In addition, have been evaluating several biological control methods for garden pests and practice IPM (integrated pest  management) at Glynneden Gardens."

Bill is the past president of the Washington State University/Island County Master Gardeners and the Whidbey Island Chapter of the ARS, besides being a member of the South Whidbey Tilth, an organization of organic growers in the Pacific Northwest and teach classes regularly on all aspects of gardening.  Also am an active member of the Greenback Garden Club.

Bruce Feller,
District Director, District 7

Bruce Feller and spouse, Marianne, have been members of the ARS New York Chapter for about 17 years.  They reside and garden in Old Field, New York, a small village on eastern Long Island's North Shore, enjoying a decidedly favorable microclimate.  Their property is regularly included on the chapter's garden tours.

Since his retirement from vice president, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in 1988, Bruce has become more actively involved in ARS affairs.  He currently serves as Alternate Director for District 7 and First Vice President of the New York Chapter.  Bruce chairs the Chapter Truss Show and organizes the Chapter Dinner held early in June each year.

Bruce and Marianne maintain associate memberships in the Connecticut, Greater Philadelphia, Massachusetts, Mid-Atlantic, Princeton, and Tappan Zee chapters of the ARS.  They are frequent exhibitors at various chapter truss shows.  Bruce also is an active member of the Azalea Society of America and the American Conifer Society.  The Fellers are regular attendees at the regional and national conferences of these organizations.

In addition, Bruce is a volunteer at the Sweetbriar Nature Conservancy, where he is responsible for rearing giant silk moths, Saturniidae, for the Vivarium maintained at the Nature Center.  He has authored an article on the distribution and population levels of indigenous Saturniiae for the Conservancy publication Snail Trail.  Bruce also serves on the planning board of the incorporated village in which the Fellers reside.

Bruce says that he never met a "plant person" that he did not like and draws great pleasure from his association with the Society membership.  He hopes that his background, interests, and experience may be applied to the advancement of ARS goals and objectives.

Hank Schannen,
District Director Alternate, District 7

Hank Schannen is a long-term member of the Princeton Chapter and a member of the Magnolia Society, Holly Society, Hardy Plant Society, and the American Conifer Society.  He has served on the ARS board of directors, the Princeton Chapter board of directors, and as president, Princeton Chapter.  He is the current chairman of the ARS Research Foundation and has served on various other ARS committees.  He is the recipient of the ARS Bronze Medal, and in 1997 was awarded the ARS Gold Medal.

He is a frequent program presenter at annual ARS conventions, regional conferences, and local horticultural organizations.  He ravels to gardens across the United States, especially to Pacific Northwest gardens and to Germany.

An active hybridizer, Hank produced his "signature" plant, R. 'Solidarity', which is widely grown in many parts of the United States and Europe.  He has 20,000 un-bloomed seedlings under evaluation.  At his RareFind Nursery in Jackson, New Jersey he has 11 acres of rare and unusual plants and a display garden.  He propagates over 1,000 rhododendrons cultivars and a similar number of unusual shrubby and perennial plants.

G. Hubert Jones,
District Director, District 10

Hubert Jones and his wife have collected and planted over 650 native deciduous rhododendrons and 200 evergreen azaleas and rhododendrons in our forest garden around a 3-acre farm lake in the last 25 years.  My architectural practice is now allowing time to give back or share the enjoyment of my horticultural experience.

My ARS local activities include: two years as newsletter editor, board member for two years, landscape architect for chapter's Rhododendron Garden, Flower Show chairman 1999, vice president 1999, president 2000, general manager of ARS Annual Convention 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia, and exhibits about 200 entries in chapter flower show annually.  Have been a member of the Azalea Chapter since 1981.

My activities in other horticultural organizations include: president, N. Georgia Bonsal Study Club; Native Plant Rescue Society member; past president Atlanta Bonsai Society; and past president, Houston, Texas, Bonsai Society.  I have received the following honors from other horticultural organizations: Service Award Plaque from each bonsai society, and Best-In-Show at several bonsai exhibits.

Bob Stelloh,
Director District Alternate, District 10

Bob Stelloh and his wife, Denise, have been members of the Southeastern Chapter since moving to Hendersonville, North Carolina, in 1966.  Denise was the chapter's show chairman for a number of years and Bob has been the chapter treasurer since 1999.

Bob relates: Have been treasurer of the Azalea Society of America since 1995, and have maintained their website since 1999.  More importantly, Denise and I have been active gardeners since 1970.  With a background in engineering and computers, have always been interested in how things work.  That interest was pointed to plants when I "murdered" Denise's Japanese maple bonsai we had moved from California to  Washington, D.C. by leaving it outside during the winter, without protection.  Then the interest expanded to azaleas and rhododendrons when we saw how easily they can be propagated, and how beautiful they are.  We now have a woodland garden with several thousand azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples, and other ornamental trees, and lots of groundcovers and native plants...all in a natural setting of big old kalmia and R. maximum and R. calendulaceum.

Life is good.  Why?  Because I enjoy the plants for themselves, enjoy keeping track of plants (as well as money), and have authored a plant inventory control and mapping program for the Macintosh in 1987.  Two years ago, I got a digital camera and went "nuts" over it.  You can see some of the results at: www.pbase.com/kehr&gt for the beginnings of a collection of azalea pictures.

Most recently got a little handheld computer, and can now wander around the garden and enter data on any one plant I see...and label and locate them so my computer can tell me what Denise keeps in her head!  And at a plant sale, now I can check first to see if we already have the plant we are thinking of buying.  My focus as alternate director will be on exploring ways to make membership more appealing to you people...believe that is essential for our long-term growth.

New Year’s Resolutions...

Did you make some?

The Noyo Chapter, Fort Bragg, California, carried out a survey of the New Year resolutions made by some of their members.  It's not too late, after the beginning of 2003, to consider seeing what others proposed for the new year 2004.  Perhaps, you made similar ones.  Listen:

Bruce Philp: clean up winter damage.
Cecil Proffit: not work on my heather garden, except to rip it out.
Dee Daneri: regarding the vegetable garden, HAVE ONE.
Nancy Morin (who lives in Flagstaff, Azornia): find more native plants for my Pt Arena garden.
Henrietta Bensussen: have "moderation in all things."
Eleanor Philp: map the location of the plants in the garden.
Herb Spady: rename my garden to the "Four Toos Garden" (too hot, too cold, too dry, and too much) as I prepare to move to a smaller property.
Sandee Tell: keep up with the weeds

Perhaps, you can enter on an imaginary line above, your desire for completion in the year 2004.  We all have wishes...and, maybe this year the wish will become a reality!  Good Luck!

Thought about "Retirement Options" lately...

Here are a few facts to consider in the days ahead.  Since this is a "People's" section, we may inject a few facts and some humor along with it.  Someone has outlined the following:

• With the average cost for a nursing home reaching $188. per day, there is a better way to spend our savings, when we get old and feeble.
• Have already checked on reservations at a popular Inn for a combined long-term stay discount...and senior citizen discount.  It comes to only $49.23 per night.
• That leaves $138.77 for the following: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in any restaurant I want...or room service.
• Laundry, gratuities, and special TV movies, plus, they providing a swimming pool, a workout room, a lounge, washer, dryer, etc.  Most have free toothpaste and razors, and all have free shampoo and soap.
• They treat you like a customer...not a patient...$5 worth of tips a day will have the entire staff scrambling to help you.
• There is a city busy stop out front, and seniors ride free.  The handicap bus will also pick you up...(if you fake a decent limp!)
• To meet other nice people, call a church bus on Sundays.  For a change of scenery, take the airport shuttle bus and eat at one of the nice restaurants there.  While you're at the airport, fly somewhere...otherwise, the cash keeps building up.
• It takes months to get into decent nursing homes.  The Inn will take your reservation today.  And, you are not stuck in one place forever, you can move from Inn to Inn...even from city to city.  Want to see Hawaii?  They have an Inn there, too.
• TV broken?  Light bulbs need changing?  Need a mattress replaced?  No problem.  They fix everything, and apologize for the inconvenience.
• The Inn has a night security person and daily room service.  The maid checks to see if you are OK.  If not, they will call the undertaker or an ambulance.  If you fall and break a hip, Medicare will pay for the hip, and Inn will upgrade you to a suite for the rest of your life.
• And, no worries about visits from family.  They will always be glad to find you and will probably check in for a few days mini-vacation.  The grandkids can use the pool.
• What more can you ask for?
• So...when I reach the Golden Age, I'll face it with a grin... Just forward all my email to: ...me@The Inn

2004 Azalea Society's Annual Convention

May 6-9, Annapolis, Maryland

The theme of the Azalea Society's 2004 Annual Convention is Best Blooming' Azaleas in Bay Country, and is hosted by the Ben Morrison Chapter.  You must come and see some of the many beautiful public and private gardens in the Chesapeake Bay area, hear talks about azaleas, meet your gardening friends, get some great azaleas, and enjoy some of the deservedly famous Annapolis seafood.

Check them out at their website: www.azaleas.org.

2004 ARS Annual Convention

May 12-16,
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Plans have been developing for this event for several years.  James Fry, New York Chapter, reports his chapter and others are preparing the largest rhodie show ever.  Members have already planted special rhodos for sale.  Plans are for trips to Philadelphia and other historic American sites.  This will be one convention you won't want to miss.

Celebrate the Legacy..Plant the Future!  Isn't it a great one.  Come and learn some ways to preserve our present for the future legacy of our children and the world.

For added interest...refer to this R&A News section on Gardens.  You will find description of some of the gardens planned for tour...and lots of American history.

Plans have been developing for this event for several years.  James Fry, New York Chapter, reports his chapter and others are preparing the largest rhodie show ever.  Members have already planted special rhodos for sale.  Plans are for trips to Philadelphia and other historic American sites.  This will be one convention you won't want to miss. Put it on your calendar.

Fraser Days
May 29, 2004

A date to remember: 2004 will be the 150th anniversary of George Fraser's birth, and a big celebration is being planned for late May in Ucluelet.  Do mark your calendars!

Take a few moments and read about George Fraser and his accomplishments in the Gardens section of R&A News. It's amazing and you'll enjoy it.

2004 Western Regional Conf.

September 22 to 26, Hilo, Hawaii

"The Hawaii Chapter of the ARS is hosting the Western Regional Conference and Board Meeting next September 2004.  They are most excited at this opportunity to share our with fellow ARS members our diverse island and fauna.

The chapter is referred to as the "Vireya Club" and their island is known as "the Orchid Isle" so, of course, vireya rhododendrons and orchids will be among the plants featured.  The tours being planned will include a tour to the Volcano National Park, a nighttime lava walk, members' gardens tours  and a post-conference week-long Hawaiian Island cruise.

Hotel rooms have been blocked out at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for September 23 to September 26.  Hold the dates!

Our theme is: "E Komo Mai"...come on over.

A little information on the seven-day island cruise...a post-convention event.  Sail on the "Pride of Aloha," a new, American-flagged and American-staffed ship on the seven-night cruise, visiting Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Kona and Hilo on the big island of Hawaii.  Special land tours of Hawaii's gardens are being organized.  More cruise information can be obtained by contacting Diane Weissman at (650)-964-6280.

60^th Anniversary, New Zealand Rhododendron Association

November 1-5, 2004
Gore, Southland, New Zealand

Do plan to join our friends Down Under for this special event.  They are so enthusiastic about their programs, speakers, hospitality that they want the world to know everyone is welcome.  A little secret...the NZ hosts make the best finger sandwiches...they call for "m-o-r-e"!  And, one is tempted to take just one more...they're little...so you do!

Be sure and read the forthcoming Summer issue of R&A's Garden Section.  Will give a report on the beautiful Emu Valley endeavor.  It's unbelievable what a vision of a few men can do for a project.

Australian Rhododendron Conf.
October, 2004

This wonderful conference is expected to be held in mid-October. And, let me assure you...you won't want to miss it!  The ladies make the BEST cookies ever.  One has a chance to taste them at mid-morning tea and again at mid-afternoon tea!  Cookies are plentiful.

2005 ARS Annual Convention
Victoria, BC, Canada
April 27-May 1.

Let's whet your appetite a little!  The annual convention is being planned to the last detail.  Have you ever wanted to see The Butchart Garden made from a quarry, the Shephards' Garden, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and a host of other wonderful activities.

Norman Todd, Victoria Chapter, reports the theme of the 2005 ARS Convention will be "Silver Salute".  It will mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Victoria Chapter.  They are confident they will put on a sterling performance...a repeat of the ARS Convention in 1989!  Let's start to plan to attend...and assist them in celebrating.

More details will follow.

T he truth of the matter is...

Whether you think that you can,
or that you can't, you are usually right.

--A memorable statement by the late Henry Ford.