Rhododendron and
Azalea News

Paul Anderson
Eureka Chapter

At the February 22nd meeting of the Eureka Chapter, Jerry Reynolds had the great privilege of awarding the Bronze Medal to Dr. Paul Anderson.  Paul was one of the founding members of the Eureka Chapter and has served as the chapter's president.

Jerry read the proclamation:

"Since you joined the American Rhododendron Society in 1964, you have been active in spreading the word about rhododendrons and you continue to do that today with your many activities on behalf of the ARS.  You have encouraged many people to join the Society over the years.  Among them is Eureka Chapter's own Dee Daneri, who ably led the ARS as executive director for several years.

Many of our members began their association with the ARS when you presented them with gift memberships, or when you encouraged them to take an interest in horticulture in general and rhododendrons in particular.  You have traveled the world in search of rhododendrons and returned to share what you have found with may ARS chapters, Rotary clubs, churches, and others who share your interest in nature.

You have shared your garden here in Eureka with the members of our chapter on numerous garden tours and other programs over the years.  Today, you are a member of six ARS chapters and serve the Society as a district director.

For 43 years of dedicated and untiring service to the American Rhododendron Society and to our chapter in particular, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is honored to award this Bronze Medal to Paul W. Anderson, M.D., this 22nd day of February 2007."

-- Jerry Reynolds

Mary Berg
Fraser South Chapter

For her tireless work on behalf of the Fraser South Rhododendron Society and its member doing everything: organizing and outfitting tours, recordkeeping, phoning, problem solving, and as secretary for our chapter for several years!  And, for her work above and beyond the call of duty for our chapter's ARS Fall Conference where her efforts went on and on mostly behind the scenes.  For example, managing the photo exhibits, recordkeeping, setting up and cleaning up the event's hall, and most importantly soothing jangled nerves.

The Fraser South Rhododendron Society would like to honor Mary Berg by awarding her the American Rhododendron Society's Bronze Medal for 2006, with our grateful thanks.

Gail DaPont
Whidbey Island Chapter

The Whidbey Island Chapter presents the highest award, the Bronze Medal, to Gail DaPont. Gail has been editor of our newsletter for almost a decade.  In this capacity she has tirelessly collected news items, published them in her professional style, and made sure they arrive well before the meeting date.  A sprinkling of her warm humor is often included.

She serves on the board, volunteers weekly at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, and is a steady contributor to the plant sales at meetings.  Gail is an invaluable member of our chapter and we are pleased to honor her on this November 15, 2006.

William Dennis
Valley Forge Chapter

William Dennis, you are one of our longer-tenured members and during this time have also been a most valued one, active in various capacities but most notably in the chapter’s annual plant sales.  For several years you shouldered the job of contacting various plant nurseries and, ultimately placing orders for and arranging delivery of plants for our spring sales.

Additionally, you conducted the advanced plant sale during its initial years.  You have also been most generous in donating plants from your garden to our sale.  Just recently, you agreed to accept the chairmanship of the plant sale for the coming year.  This is in addition to currently being the Valley Forge Chapter recording secretary.  It is also worthy of note that you hold the distinction of being published in the ARS Journal.

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that this Bronze Medal is awarded on this 12th day of November 2006.

Douglas Justice
Vancouver Chapter

Douglas Justice is Associate Director and Curator of Collections at the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden, and a teacher of the Agroecology and Masters of Landscape Architecture Programs.

He joined the Vancouver Rhododendron Society in 1997, bringing with him a great wealth of invaluable horticultural knowledge, as well as enthusiasm and support, for all of the chapter's programs and events.  As a member of the executive board, his voice was always one of moderation and professionalism.  At meetings, Douglas freely shared his botanical knowledge, often giving educational and entertaining mini-lectures, and to our benefit revived the popular "Francisca Bouquet" plant demonstrations.

Tours of the U.B.C. Botanic Gardens, led by Douglas, are always pleasurable and highly instructive.  His contributions of rare species trusses and sprays from the Gardens greatly enhance our Show and Sale, as does his ability to identify and classify the rhododendrons on display.

Douglas is a member of a number of local, national, and international organizations, and he and his wife, Karen, write professionally on various horticultural subjects.  Together they christened our newsletter, The Indumentum, and were the first to make an electronic version available to members.

Betty Kennedy
Victoria Chapter

In preparing a citation for Betty Kennedy's induction into the ARS's celebrated Bronze Age, a good place to start would be to quote from Betty's award of the Abkhazi Trophy, in June 2002...and now brought up to date in 2006:

"Betty has brought so much to the well-being of our society.  On the executive, she has served variously as president, past president, and secretary.  She has provided a hospitable environment for the many executive meetings.  She has provided a valuable link to the University’s Finnerty Garden.  Her hosting of the annual picnic at her splendid Galiano residence was a highlight of our 2001 season.  She has supported our annual Show & Sale, providing vital nourishment for the hardworking judges, incidentally serving in that capacity on occasion."

And, there is much more.  Her leading position with the Royal British Columbia Museum was vital in organizing a special event there for the 2005 ARS "Silver Salute" Convention.  Speaking of nourishment, a general slavering for her mince tarts has been happily quenched at annual Christmas parties.

Her renown extends far beyond the Victoria Rhododendron Society...when in residence in her Galiano home on the hill overlooking Active Pass, the great ships of British Columbia Ferries always sound their stentorian foghorns in response to her flickered light.

On a personal note, having attended many VRS executive meetings at Betty's home, I have wondered at her steady grasp of keeping a herd of mind-wanderers to proper order ("Be quiet, James"), while speeding the Society's affairs with a warm hand.

The Bronze Medal has been bestowed upon a person of quality.

Tom Martin
Eureka Chapter

The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society awarded Tom Martin its highest honor, the Bronze Medal.  Tom has been a Life Member since 1991, and has been a tireless volunteer, lending a helping hand at truss shows and plant sales, setting up garden displays, and just helping to clean up after regular meetings.

Tom served a single term as vice president before being elected to three consecutive terms as president of the Eureka Chapter.  Tom and Aileen have opened their home for the chapter for garden tours and as host for potlucks.

As the Society's accountant, Tom worked with the executive director to set up a new accounting system, he worked closely...and without fees...with the Society's committees to help them prepare their budgets.

Pat Sasson
Whidbey Island Chapter

In grateful appreciation, the Whidbey Island Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents the Bronze Medal to Pat Sasson.  She has served as vice president for the last five years and has willingly stepped forward for each term to schedule interesting programs and speakers on rhododendrons and companion plants.

In addition to scheduling the program speakers, Pat often hosts them in her home for dinner and overnight stays, and does the same for visiting members of other chapters.  In this regard, she is the chapter's own Good Will Ambassador.  Furthermore, she readily volunteers for committees, plant sales, and coordinates the holiday party.

Mary Alice Snyder
Valley Forge Chapter

Since joining the Valley Forge Chapter you have been an enthusiastic and loyal supporter in many ways.  You have served as a director on the board.  For several years you organized the chapter's annual dinner, securing the contracts, and handling the reservations from chapter members and friends.

You also solicited appropriate items from area businesses to be used as door prizes.  Most notably, you have for some years assumed responsibility for the perennial and native plant section of the chapter's annual plant sale, ordering plants, directing receipt and placement of same, and being on hand during the sale to offer assistance to, and answer questions from, our customers.  All this with a keen sense of humor and an ever-present friendly smile.

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that this Bronze Medal is awarded this 12th day of November 2006 to Mary Alice Snyder.

Bill Spohn
Vancouver Chapter

Claiming to be a novice, Bill Spohn joined the Vancouver Rhododendron Society in 1997.  Now, however, his large garden is home to a considerable number of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as maples, magnolias, camellias, and other companion plants...a place members enjoy visiting on Open Garden days.  Bill soon took on the role of society secretary, keeping board meetings on track, and, with his sense of fiscal responsibility, ensuring that chapter functions were kept within budget constraints.

The Vancouver Chapter is greatly indebted and appreciative of Bill's contribution, as founder of our excellent web site, and his continuing commitment as our webmaster.  The site, which Bill updates on a regular basis, is a doorway to the botanical and horticultural world.  It carries many of Bill's superb photographs of rhododendrons in his own garden, as well as others from the Rhododendron Species Foundation, and other sources.  The site is an excellent educational resource, with links to the ARS, other chapters, and significant botanical sites, and gardens worldwide, and is a source of information about events of interest to the rhodo and gardening public.

Bill now serves on the board of the Rhododendron Species Foundation in Seattle, no doubt, with his camera ever at the ready

Paul Wurz
Victoria Chapter

Paul Wurz, of the Victoria Chapter, presented the "best of wurtz talks" at a chapter meeting in June 2006...then was surprised to be presented with the chapter's highest award, the Bronze Medal, for being a mentor to the chapter, his inspiring wit, and his willingness to acquaint others with his love for rhododendrons.

Sean Rafferty Receives 2006 Harold Johnson Memorial Award

Sean Rafferty supports the Fraser South Chapter in many ways, at each meeting, by managing the raffles and being a general "dog's body" at such chapter events as plant sales.

He has entertained us with his slide presentations on his plant-hunting trips to China.  Another plus, at the American Rhododendron Society's Fall Conference, Sean set up and managed the very successful plant sale for the weekend.  This work involved endless phone calls to our growers and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency plant inspection people, as well as tracking sales and assisting with the set up and take down of the plants' sale area.  Sean's friendliness and good humor always make our chapter meetings and events so much fun.

Thank you, Sean.

Patti Bale Awarded Ella J. Crabb Memorial Award 2006

Many people may not realize the hard work that Patti Bale has done ever so quietly for the Fraser South Rhododendron Society and for our ARS Fall Conference.

Patti regularly hosted the conference executive planning committee for the last two years, she contributed to the conference raffle, assisted with general organization of the conference, put together conference information packages and special merchandise, helped keep the hospitality room fully stocked and everyone happy.  In previous years, Patti has contributed to outfitting and organizing our wonderful spring garden tours.

Thank you, Patti.

Deaths

Lloyd C. Hahn
Midwest Chapter

Lloyd was a pioneer in chemical farming, being the first person to use 2, 4-D to kill weeds in corn.  He applied the chemical with a tractor-mounted sprayer made of old pipe and a washing machine motor.  In 1948, his brother, Kenneth, joined him and formed Hahn Spray Service, which became Hahn, Inc., and led to the development of the Hahn Hi-Boy high clearance field sprayer.  Lloyd served as president for 30 years and chairman for 17 years.  Lloyd’s wife, Helen Stocker, served as corporate secretary of Hahn, Inc.  They were married for 62 years before her death in June 2003.

Lloyd’s activities and honors over his 87 years, included: member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 4-H leader for 16 years, past president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute; past member of the Young Presidents Organization; past president of the National Holly Society of America and the Indiana Chapter; past president, Midwest Chapter of the ARS, and the district director of the ARS; recipient of the ARS Bronze Medal Award; the Wolf/Fenton ward in the Holly Society; the Joseph McDaniel Award in the Holly Chapter; and a Kentucky Colonel.

Hollis Ottaway
Willamette Chapter

He worked for OSU for one year before joining the U.S. Navy in 1942.  He completed Officer Training in Annapolis, MD, and became an Ensign.  He was in the amphibious forces and landed troops in North Africa, Anzio, Sicily, and the D-Day landing in Normandy.  He returned stateside and was assigned to an LSM (landing ship medium) and was preparing for deployment to Japan when the war ended.  Hollis was discharged as a Lieutenant in 1946.

He married Clara Breckenridge on March 15, 1945, in Norfolk, Virginia.  He returned to Oregon, working for OSU as an extension agent in Clackamas, Jefferson, and Marion counties.  Upon his retirement in 1973, he was selected Man-of-the-Year for Oregon Seed Council.

Hollis and his OSU colleagues spent three months in Turkey establishing a hi-yield wheat program.  He enjoyed his retirement years and was very active in establishing his own tree farm in Dallas. He maintained contact with his Navy shipmates and nurtured his many friendships with his farmer friends in Marion and Polk counties.

Thomas L. Ring,
Great Lakes Chapter

Tom’s love for rhododendrons was immeasurable, and his desire to share and dispense plant material, seed and experience in culture as well known throughout the Great Lakes Chapter.  He always used the very best parents and pollen to create some of the most beautiful and easy to grow rhodos around.  The past blooming season, Tom cleared up the annual truss show with Best in Show with his favorite hybrid ‘Ring’s Monarch’ (“Fowle 19’ x ‘Graf Zeppelin’), along with 2nd Best in Show and seven trophies! That Best in Show was probably his 15th in his long career of producing wonderful plants.

Our ‘Rum Dum’ club always got together every early spring at his home in Bellaire, Ohio, in preparation for Tom’s plants for members’ meeting of the Great Lakes Chapter...always the most popular meeting of the year.  Tom loved having Jack Looye coming down from Canada and joining Fred Palmer and myself to talk rhodos way into the night with lots of good cheer and love.  His faithful companion, Rhodo (a blonde Labrador retriever), was always by his side.

Tom loved nature and wildlife more than most people - hunting and fishing were his passions, but the rhododendron was his real love.

Tom, everyone will dearly miss you...but none more than I. Hope to see you in rhododendron heaven!

--Chris Trautmann

Howard Roberts
Greater Philadelphia Chapter

Word was received of the death of Howard Roberts, former president and long-time member of our chapter, who died February 10.  He was also involved with the Princeton Chapter.  He was 80 and had been ill for several months.

In addition to serving the chapter as president, 1993-97, Howard was a key man in the plant sale for the last several years and had a key role on the host committee for the national ARS convention in 2004.  For many years, he maintained a local seed exchange for growers and hybridizers in this area, an outgrowth of his own hybridizing efforts.

A visit to his garden in May was always a revelation, with such a diversity and number of plants in a normal-size home garden.  Prominent, of course, were his yellows, and who could not take delight in the plant 'Smarty Joan's' registered in 2004, from seed hybridized by Allan and Shirley Anderson.  Howard took full advantage of the national ARS seed exchange and won the chapter's Seed Exchange Trophy ten times from 1993 through 2006.

Above all, Howard was a person of great generosity and a tinkling smile, a true gentleman.  The chapter extends warmest condolences to Joan Roberts and the family.

Richard R. Ryan, Princeton Chapter

It is necessary to report the loss of Richard R. Ryan.  Dick joined the Princeton Chapter in 1973 and became an active, energetic member from the beginning.  In 1983, Dick became chapter president and served for two terms.  During this time he formed the Study Group which he later chaired, and subsequently started the practice of compiling a "do-gooders" list which was later published and made available to members, and to the public, as well.

Dick created a beautiful garden at his home in Brielle, where he tested and grew hundreds of rhododendrons species and hybrids, azaleas, specimen trees, and a fine collection of vireyas.  In March 2002, Dr. Richard R. Ryan was awarded the American Rhododendron Society's Bronze Medal in recognition for his service to the chapter and to the Society.

Pearl Westerlund
Noyo Chapter

A couple of weeks ago Pearl Westerlund passed away.  Pearl was a member of the Noyo Chapter for many years...and was 95 years young!  She was still gardening at the age of 92.  What better evidence for the value of getting your fingers in the dirt!

Many of us remember her bountiful garden overgrowing the fence on Chestnut Street.  We also remember her scurrying around collecting trusses after the Show for the Senior Center or Sherwood Oaks.  People like Pearl are truly inspiring...and will be missed.

Gladys Wheeldon
Mid-Atlantic Chapter

Gladys Wheeldon, a Mid-Atlantic Chapter member and widow of MAC founder and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas F. Wheeldon, died January 16, 2007.  She was 94 years old.

She had been a strong supporter of the chapter throughout the years...even after her husband's death in 1976.  At the first chapter meeting, held March 23-25, 1952, Gladys signed as a guest, apparently not having a separate membership, although playing a strong supporting role to her husband who served as president of the Middle Atlantic Chapter (MAC) for 12 years.

Mrs. Wheeldon had a membership in her own name after her husband's death for a total involvement with MAC and rhododendrons of almost 55 years!  In the early years of the chapter Gladys hosted many speakers for MAC at the Wheeldon's home in Richmond and was friends with early names in the rhododendron world, such as Dr. Henry Skinner, director of the U.S. National Arboretum; Frederic P. Lee, author of, The Azalea Book; hybridizer Henry Yates; and Dr. Fred Coe.  Some others she knew whose names appeared on the list of the first meeting and who are still remembered in the field were: Joseph Gable, Ann Glass, Henry Hohman, Kenneth McDonald (Sr.), A. J. Shoosmith, David Leach, and John C. Wister.

Mrs. Wheeldon received the Bronze Medal from the Middle Atlantic Chapter on May 10, 1980, for her generosity with time and money, and sharing her garden...one of the outstanding ericaceous gardens in the South, and for sharing plants and cuttings from Gladsgay as the garden and nursery were called.  Gladys received the Award of Merit from MAC on April 26, 2003, for contributing to the founding, growth, and excellence of the chapter.  She contributed many records of her own, as well as of Dr. Wheeldon and Gladsgay Gardens to the Rhododendron Manuscripts Collection of the University of Virginia Library.

She was a financial benefactor for several rhododendron-related causes including: the rhododendron garden at the James Madison University Arboretum, the Middle Atlantic Chapter of the ARS, and the Rhododendron and Azalea Endowment Fund at the University of Virginia Library to which she made the key donation to get the fund started.

She welcomed visitors to her garden even after she was widowed until she moved to Wesham Green in Richmond.  She will be remembered by those who knew her for her graciousness, hospitality, generosity, and wit.

Harry Wise
Mid-Atlantic Chapter

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) lost a very valuable member on January 18, 2007.  Harry Wise had been recovering from lung surgery he had in the late summer, and then suffered a fall when he went out to get the newspaper in January, and two days later died at a hospital in Huntington, West Virginia.  A memorial service was held at Coonskin Park, where Harry had been active in planting and working in the park.  Two county commissioners and a former governor were among the group who braved the bad winter weather to attend the service.

Harry had been very active in MAC and traveled long distances sometimes over icy roads from Charleston, West Virginia, to most of the MAC meetings and board meetings wherever they were held.  He joined the American Rhododendron Society in 1965, was president of the chapter from 1981 to 1983, served as a MAC director, ultimately becoming Director Emeritus, a position he held at the time of his death.  He received the chapter’s Bronze Medal in 1984.

One very valuable job Harry did was act as chairman of the nominations committee where he could be counted on to come up with good candidates to fill officer and board positions over many, many years.  He also started the chapter's Seedling Sale with proceeds totaling over $2,500.  Going to the ARS Research Foundation over a period of years.  Harry was active in helping establish the Rhododendron and Azalea Endowment Fund at the University of Virginia Library and the Rhododendron and Azalea Manuscripts Collection.

Harry served as an ARS District Director from 1988 to 1991.  He received the American Horticultural Award of Merit in 1997 from the Garden Club of America, presented by Kanawha Garden Club in recognition of his work for the ARS, the Master Gardeners, the Friends of Kanawha County Parks (Coonskin Park).

Harry was a busy pollinator and hybridizer.  He ran out of planting space for his seedlings and gave large numbers of them away.  Many people will remember him fondly when they look at a mature seedling he gave them as a small plant.

Harry did not blow his own horn.  He did so many things behind the scenes, helping people, cheering them up and helping them through difficult times.  He will be remembered by many of us for his wise counsel.  He was unfailingly generous, touched people of all ages, and expanded public awareness of the genus Rhododendron.  He was an enthusiastic worker, a good communicator, and expressed his opinions fearlessly.  He had a good sense of humor and shared it with the chapter in some presentations he made.  He was a faithful supporter of the chapter’s newsletter and supplied many leads and articles for it.

In 2004 Harry was honored with the ARS Silver Medal.  Frank Pelurie had picked up the medal at the meeting in King of Prussia that Harry was not able to attend and later presented it to him.

Events

2007 ARS Annual Conference,
San Francisco, CA
April 12-15, 2007

The members of ARS District 5 cordially invite you to join us in the Greater San Francisco Bay area for the 2007 ARS Annual Conference, "Rhododendrons at the Golden Gate", to be held April 12-15, 2007...and a post-conference tour April 16 through 18.  Convention details and registration and hotel information can be found on the internet at www.ars2007conf.org.

Come and see California's wonderful scenery and enjoy the warm and sunny climate and the many nearby attractions.  The 2007 Convention is a not- to-be-missed event.

2008 ARS Annual Convention, Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 16 to 19

The annual convention will be hosted by the Ozark Chapter,  Len Miller, ARS president, reports the conference will include many public garden tours.  More details will be coming in future issues of the R&A News.

2008 International Rhododendron Conference at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland, May 7-11, 2008

David Stark, president of the Scottish Chapter, sends a special invitation in the ARS Journal for all to come and celebrate the Silver Jubilee in 2008.  Because not all receive the Journal, it is to extend this invitation now that David writes...

Join us to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Scottish Rhododendron Society at an International Rhododendron Conference to be held at the Royal Botanic Garden in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the Spring of 2008.  If you love rhododendrons and azaleas, are enthralled by interesting speakers, and magnificent gardens, and enjoy a friendly social atmosphere, then, this is an event for you!

Jointly hosted by the Scottish Rhododendron Society and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Rhododendron 2008: 50 Years of Modern Day Exploration, Hybridisation & Conservation will predominantly cover the post-World War II period through a wide-ranging program of lectures, garden tours, a rhododendron show, exhibitions, and social events in the evenings.

International speakers will entertain you with a schedule of contemporary exploration, hybridization and breeding, cultivation and propagation, historical, science and taxonomy, and conservation lectures.  To cater for all tastes there will be an opportunity to attend an alternative set of lectures when the science and taxonomy sessions are programmed.

Two full days of tours are being planned to a variety of gardens that will complement the theme of the Conference.  A specially arranged full-day sight-seeing tour is planned.  Also under consideration is a four-day Pre-Conference Tour with a wide-ranging itinerary of private gardens located in a completely different area than those visited on conference tours in 1996 and 2002.

This is a wake-up call to put the date on your diary, plan ahead and come to Scotland in 2008.  Further details will be available in early 2006.  You will find more details on their web site: http://www.scottishrhodos.co.uk

A thought to ponder...

It’s the little things that make up
the richest part of the tapestry of
our lives.