Rhododendron and
Azalea News
|
|
Rhododendron and |
|
| ARS Home Page R&A Home Plant Tips Gardens Ideas for Chapters |
| People and Events | Bronze Medal Awardees | |
|
Tom Horner |
For your thirty-five years, Tom Horner, of determination, fortitude, and dedicated plantsmanship in a climate always hostile, for your leadership in serving the chapter by being a secretary/treasurer, a president, and generosity in sharing your knowledge, plant material, and matchless beauty of your garden with us, and for your continuous (lifetime membership), and inspired support of the Midwest Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, it is with affection, appreciation, and great esteem that the Board of Directors of the Midwest Chapter proudly present to you, Tom, the Bronze Medal, on this July 28th 2007. |
|
|
Kay Moats |
The Midwest Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present to Kay Moats its highest honor, the Bronze Medal. Two years after joining the chapter in 1981, Kay stepped up and became the first woman president of the chapter. During Kay's three-year tenure, she was the main driving force in which the chapter grew in membership and prospered, a tireless worker who provided strength and direction. She also did the "little tasks", such as during the annual truss and plant sales, the help in providing and contributing to the District 11 meeting held in Northbrook, Illinois. At the time of the Chicago-land Flower and Garden Show, held at McCormick Exposition Center, Kay took it upon herself to gather azaleas and rhododendrons and force them into bloom to bring color and vibrancy to the chapter's information booth at the snowy and dreary February show time. In, addition, she made sure there was information literature and a "show board" with photos of rhododendrons grown in local gardens to draw interested individuals. Kay also welcomes us into her home garden to share her knowledge and recipe for success in growing rhododendrons and other plants. Kay has always been a true plants person, and consummate gardener. For such dedication, we, the Midwest Chapter owe a great deal of gratitude to you, Kay Moats. Thank you so much, this day, May 5th, 2007. |
|
|
Barbara Blankenship |
The Pilchuck Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medial, our highest honor to, Barbara Blankenship. Barbara was overwhelmingly voted in, for her first elected position, as president of the Pilchuck Chapter in May 2000. She was our chapter president from May 2000 to May 2004. She was the driving force behind our annual flower shows, and made her home available for the holding of plants that would be our inventory, our ticket sales, and auctions at business meetings. She has researched many gardens in the Northwest and provided good information that made our annual garden tours very successful over the years. She also has provided programs for our chapter. She has chaired our public plant sales and shows many times over the years. She has opened her gardens and nursery to the chapter for picnics and tours. Barbara is an enthusiastic "can do" person who always raises her hand when a need arises with great attention to detail. We are fortunate to have her as a member of our club. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Willem Morsink |
The Rhododendron Society of Canada was very fortunate and pleased to have Bill Morsink join the Toronto Chapter a dozen years ago with the following credentials: A master of science degree in forestry, who became an urban forester for many years, and is dedicated to the preservation of urban parks, gardens, and forests. You came to us as a "dendrologist" (one who studies trees and shrubs), but enriched yourself and us to become a "Rhododendrologist" (a "Rosetree" lover). You have distinguished yourself in the years you have been with us as a dedicated secretary, president, and now treasurer, but above all you are a person who puts heart and soul, knowledge, and determination to use in your research, including an extensive survey on the hardiness of plants and trees, especially in Eastern Canada, and have studied and published scientific articles in the ARS Journal, and the local chapter's newsletter. Your new endeavor is a new, innovative and unique "air layer cutting" technique for the propagation of rhododendrons. For your tireless and dedicated work, the Toronto Chapter of the Rhododendron Society of Canada is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Willem Anton Morsink. |
|
|
|
||
|
"Miss Jean", lover of nature, honored |
There is a very special lady in the Mason-Dixon Chapter who was honored recently for her devotion to nature, wildlife, and as a television personality. In the Fall Issue of the Mason-Dixon Newsletter this is the tribute to an ARS member: Jean Worthley was honored recently for her lifetime contributions to gardening, wildlife, and education. Many will remember "Miss Jean" as the hostess of Hodgepodge Lodge, a children's program that aired on Maryland Public Television (MPT) weekday afternoons during the 70's. "Miss Jean" enthralled a generation of children...and adults, too...with tales about plants and animals of the woods and meadows. To celebrate the work of Jean and her late husband, Elmer, The Maryland Native Plant Society has donated a warm season grassland and wildflower meadow in the Howard County Conservancy's "Honor Garden". It was dedicated October 6, 2007. In June, MPT created the "Miss Jean" Worthley Award for Services to Families and Children. Miss Jean was on hand in June at MPT's Vision Banquet to present the first award to Kevin Clash, the Baltimore native behind Sesame Street's Elmo. "Miss Jean", a mother of six children and grandmother of four, now lives on a farm in Finksburg, and continues to..."Have fun with nature!"...the closing credit on Hodgepodge Lodge. |
|
|
|
||
|
Tom and Ann Widdowson enjoyed being VIPs for a day! |
The membership of the American Rhododendron Society is...has been...and will continue to be made up of the most distinguished individuals in the world. From all walks of life they enjoy the study, research, and pleasure of growing their own gardens. From time to time, members take the most unusual trips to other parts of the world. This is a most interesting article that appeared in the newsletter for the Victoria Chapter...and, believe me, it is worth sharing with the world. The Tom Widdowsons of the Victoria Chapter would like to share with you the wonders of being a VIP (that’s a very important person) for a day in India! Tom writes the following: My father-in-law, Dr. Leslie C. Coleman, was director of agriculture for many years in Mysore Princely State, in south India. He founded the Coffee Research Station at Chikmagalur, the University of Agriculture at Hebbal (near Bangalore), researched various insect pests, and so on and so forth (sorry...no rhododendrons). In 1934, towards the end of his stay in India, he organized the construction of a sugar factory at Mandya, just outside Mysore, even providing financial guarantees for it. Ann had been told that there was a bust of her father in front of the sugar factory. When our friend Prasad offered to take us to visit Mysore on Thursday, she asked if we could stop at Mandya to take a picture of it. Sure enough, it was there, behind a chain-link fence and a sign saying, "No photography!" So we went around to the main entrance at the side, and had a chat with Security. "This is Dr. Coleman's daughter, who has come all the way from Canada, and she would very much like to take a picture of his bust." Security seemed a bit doubtful, but phoned management. Management said, "Dr. Coleman's daughter? Bring her to our office right away." So we had tea and cookies in the manager's office...then moved to the assistant manager's office...then out to the bust...taking photographs all around. Prasad gave them his cell phone number, for the exchange of photographs, and we were off. Mission accomplished...we thought...and in only a couple of hours. That evening in Mysore, Prasad's phone rang. "We would like to organize a reception on Monday in honor of Dr. Coleman's daughter and her husband." "I'm sorry, but I don't see how that is possible. Tomorrow they are going up into the Biligirirangan Hills to visit the grave of Dr. Coleman's first wife. On Saturday, they are going to visit General and Mrs. Nanda up in the mountains in Coorg. Monday, they are returning directly to Bangalore, and Tuesday, they fly back to Canada." "No problem. We will send a car to pick them up at Coorg on Monday morning, take them to the reception, and deliver them back to Bangalore by 6 p.m." I rather unkindly told Ann that she would have to make a speech, and that I would have my camera ready to make a video of it to amuse the folks back home. The car actually came up to Coor Sunday evening, so that the driver would be sure of finding us in the morning. They arrived on the dot on Monday morning, and we were soon heading down to the plains. Passing through a town near the large and successful Tibetan colony west of Mysore, we saw all sorts of activity, with monks and other Tibetans rushing around. Something was happening! We reached the entrance to the colony, a banner stretched across the road: "Welcome to H. H. the Dalai Lama!" made it all clear. The police waved us to a halt and we, together with a few hundred other people, settle down to wait. Finally, an unpretentious car appeared in the distance and came to a halt in front of us. A presentation was made. We did not see His Holiness, as he was in the side of the car away from us, but we got a good look at the present, who had to be the most beautiful girl in the colony. Then, the car continued on to the colony, and we were on our way. Our encounter with Dalai Lama had made us late, but we made a rest stop (fortunately, it turned out) on the outskirts of Mandya. Arriving at the road leading to the factory, we saw a huge crowd by the side of the road. An accident?... No, us! Somewhat reluctantly, Ann got out, and I fell in behind her. The high school marching band was there, as smartly turned out as its American equivalents...but unlike them...all male. Marigold garlands were draped on us, and the drum major escorted us to a platform on the back of a pickup truck nearby. The band then set off at a slow march towards the factory...with the pickup following behind...halting at the potholes to avoid shaking us off. We waved graciously to the multitude, at least he hoped it looked gracious and not sheepish. We were given flowers to throw to them. It is not easy, I found to throw a flower. Many I threw to the women and children in the affordable housing behind a chain-link fence on our tight fell short, to their evident frustration...but I finally got it right. A few of the boys kept up with us and made quite a collection; I hope they did not think that the one with the most would get a prize. We turned in at the gate where security had viewed us doubtfully Thursday afternoon and proceeded a couple of hundred meters past the works. At the administration building, we got off and continued with our way lined by school girls throwing flowers at us (some were pretty good shots). A platform had been erected in front of THE STATUTE, with two thrones in the center for us, flanked by lesser chairs for top management and a politician or two. I was provided with a white and gold turban (Ann said it suited me). More garlands found our necks. When these were disappearing, they were removed and more added, presumably provided by other interested parties. Bouquets of flowers. Baskets of fruit. The management gave us a box made of mirrors, which opened to show a portrait of Dr. Coleman (based on the bust of a photograph with smaller portraits of the Maharajah, his Diwan (Prime Minister), and Mahatma Gandhi, together with a laudatory play of the letters of Ann’s name. The union gave us a piece of marquetry (inlaid wood) about three feet long and 16 inches wide, with a special inscription. A politician made a speech in Kannara, the local language. When you are on a platform with a politician making a speech, it is always difficult to maintain a proper expression of rapt attention. When the speech is in a language you don't understand, you wonder, is he telling a joke? Or is he saying something like..."If the market for sugar does not improve, there will be layoffs?" Then the microphone was passed to Ann. She apologized for not speaking in Kannara, and thanked them for their wonderful welcome. She was encouraged to say a bit more, and said it. Then, it was my turn. I said much the same thing, and added that we were happy to accept the welcome on behalf of my father-in-law, Professor Coleman. This seemed to serve (being the No. 2 attraction has its advantages). We then adjourned to the manager's office, where
we were interviewed by the Deccan Herald. The next morning, there were sounds of much merriment from the servants' quarters...as it turned out that the local Kannara television had a pretty complete coverage of our performance...starting with Ann's cautious emergence from the car and ending with my speech, and then repeated it. I must say that it looked not too bad. The Kannara edition of the Deccan Herald also had a feature article on us...with a color picture. The organization impressed us. Starting from 5 p.m. Thursday and over the weekend, the management laid on the car, the marching band, the schoolgirls, the politicians, the flowers, the fruit, and the gifts by Monday noon. The union gift was perhaps a customized off the shelf item, but the management gift must had been created from scratch. The event apparently went off without a hitch. The sugar factory, as an old-fashioned piece of heavy industry, under state or cooperative ownership, must face an uncertain future in these days of privatization. We hope the people welcomed our visit as a hopeful omen...and not as a promise of more solid, material help. We did notice that they were into the production of ethanol, so maybe they will be able to ride the boom in that. Note: Reader, you may have experienced a similar experience. Do write, sending it to the Editor's address. Would love to hear about it. |
|
|
|
||
|
|
Deaths |
|
|
Roger G. Cook |
On Monday, September 17, 2007, Roger G. Cook, a long-time member of the Princeton Chapter, died after a lengthy illness in the University Medical Center in Princeton, New Jersey, with his wife Fran at his side. Born and raised in Cranbury, New Jersey, Roger was a graduate of Duke University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Over the course of 45 years, Roger pursued a career in engineering working for firms, such as General Motors, Sier-Bath Gear & Pup, later retiring from Good Housekeeping in 1995, where he was a technical director. In addition to serving on many professional boards, Roger distinguished himself in countless ways by joining numerous community and service organizations; such as a the local Historical Society, the Lions Club, Board of Health, Environmental Commission, and various church groups. As a member of the Princeton Chapter, Roger served with distinction as president, member of the board of directors, chairman and organizer of two Northeast Regional Conferences, as well as contributing to countless other ways, for which he was awarded the Bronze Medal. To his wife, Fran, and their children and grandchildren, we offer our condolences. We shall miss his talents and his vibrant energy. -- Peg Van Patton |
|
|
|
||
|
Dick Gustafson |
It is with great sadness that we note the death of our good friend, Dick Gustafson, this past September. He was a true believer in our favorite genus and his observations, willing and helping hands, and friendship will be greatly missed. Richard H. Gustafson, Ph.D., of Durham, North Carolina, formerly of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, died at home on September 19, 2007, at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Jeanne K. Gustafson, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. Dick, as he was familiarly known, received his Ph.D. in virology from the Waksman Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers University. He was a research fellow in the field of antibiotic resistance at American Cyanamid, Princeton, New Jersey, until his retirement. As an active member of the American Rhododendron Society, he served on the national board of directors and as president of the Princeton Chapter, and on numerous committees of the national and local organizations. He was an avid rhododendron hybridizer and plant photographer. He traveled internationally visiting rhododendron gardens, and was a frequent attendee at national and regional rhododendron conferences. He was a Bronze Medal recipient of the Princeton Chapter. Dick will be well remembered for his contributions to the establishment of the Sandwich Club. In the early 1980s he, along with Don Kellam and other ARS members, visited the Sandwich, Massachusetts, farm of Charles O. Dexter, now known as the Heritage Museum and Gardens. They recognized many unnamed second-generation Dexter hybrids growing there in the woods. Some appeared to be equal, and even better than the named Dexter cultivars. Most were Dexter derivatives hybridized by Dexter’s gardener, Tony Consolini, and by Jack Cowles, the horticulturist at Heritage from 1959 through 1967. The existence of this superior group of rhododendrons was reported at the ARS Board of Directors meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1988. President Harold Greer appointed Dick Gustafson and Don Kellam to co-chair a committee, later known as the Sandwich Club, to study and preserve the best of the unnamed progeny of Dexter hybrids. After Don passed away in 1992, Dick led the group alone until 2003, after which he was an active participant in the Club's activities. With Dick's leadership, the Sandwich Club has evaluated and cataloged approximately 2,000 of the Heritage Hybrid 'Progeny' and registered several outstanding cultivars. These include: 'Cape White', 'Bellringer', 'Kabuki', 'Don Kellam', and Dick's favorite, 'Beryl Coronet'. With support from Heritage, the Club has propagated and distributed numbered plants to east coast gardens for evaluation. In this effort, Dick is fondly remembered for auctioning rooted cuttings of these plants to enthusiasts at the annual meeting of the Sandwich Club. His own hybridizing yielded, among other, the registered plants: 'Original Vagabond', 'Peach Flame', 'Radiant Frills', 'Lemon Zinger', 'Chromatic Fantasy', and 'Scarborough Fair' (name unregistered). My own fondest memories of Dick were weekly midday coffee "klatches" in which we argued the merits of rhododendron parents, and his and Jeanne's wonderful "after Christmas" luncheon, at which he served homemade warm mugs of Swedish grog, as we sat around and discussed...what else?...rhododendrons, of course! -- Hank Schannen |
|
|
|
||
|
Britt Smith |
Britt M. Smith, a long-time azalea and rhododendron aficionado in the Northwest and of the Portland Chapter, died December 7, 2007. Britt was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 15, 1916, to Lloyd and Effie Smith. He graduated from Oregon State College in 1938 and went to work directly for the Boeing Company as an engineer. During World War II he left Boeing to work for Waco Aircraft in Troy, Ohio, and Goodyear Aircraft in Akron, Ohio. He married Jean on December 7, 1940...and died on their 67th wedding anniversary. In 1951 he returned to Boeing, retiring in 1979. Britt felt the importance of a hobby after retirement and his was a consuming interest in collecting, exploring for, photographing and hybridizing rhododendrons. Correspondence with a resident of Sikkim, India, led to seven trips there to view and photograph the many species of their native rhododendrons. Three times he planned and led groups of plant lovers on treks in the Sikkim Himalayas to 14,000 ft. with native, professional guides. On the last trek in 2000, Fred Whitney, international president of the American Rhododendron Society, was a member of the group. Here at home, he and a dear friend, Dr. Frank Mossman of Vancouver, Washington, spent 16 years exploring and collecting our native rhododendron, R. occidentale, along the Oregon-California coast. Much of the collection can be seen at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum in the Smith-Mossman Azalea Garden. Britt also gave many programs in England, Scotland, New Zealand, and the United States. He was an active member of the American Rhododendron Society, and the Rhododendron Species Foundation at Federal Way, Washington. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the American Rhododendron Society, as well as the Pioneer Award. -- Seattle Times |
|
|
|
||
|
Ketty Hughes |
After a brief illness, Ketty Hughes died suddenly on November 2, 2007. She was active in many garden clubs in Greater Victoria, and later on Salt Spring Island. Margaret deWeese writes: "Occasionally a person comes into your life with whom you have an affinity. That person may well have that effect on many other people as well but to me the person was only one of a handful in my life. And, in the twists and turns of enjoying happy visits with discussions of mutual interest and being in awe of that person’s command of her garden and finding connections of surprising turns...such as a library filled with books from A to Z, including every gardening book written." I was phoned tonight to be told that this warm and knowledgeable person had died suddenly this afternoon. The person was Ketty Hughes. Those of you in the gardening world would know Ketty. She was a long-time member of the Victoria Rhododendron Society and I had asked her to entertain the idea of a garden visit by our club. She was more than willing but wanted to wait until next Spring because of her daughter's wedding taking place in the garden this year. She had just had a wonderful cedar arbor built for the wedding which she was planning to turn it into a bench for contemplation...although I think Ketty would have used it to open new plant grouping. In four short years of making a new garden in an old seaside orchard, Ketty made a showpiece. |
|
|
|
||
|
"Charlie" Johnson |
Charlie Johnson died unexpectedly in St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, December 29, 2007, surrounded by his family. Charlie graduated from the University of British Columbia's Faculty of Forestry in 1962, after which he jointed the British Columbia Forest Service (BCFS) and served in various locations and capacities, culminating with his appointment as Director of the Silviculture Branch in 1980. He loved silviculture (establishing, tending, and maintaining forests.) In 1988, he left the BCFS to found an employee-owned forest nursery company, Pacific Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (PRT), together with colleagues and employees. Through his vision and leadership, the company grew and expanded to such an extent that the company was taken public through a listing on the TSX as Income Trust in 1997. The company was ultimately spun off, and continues to expand production. Charlie retired as president of PRT on September 1, 1988. Charlie was a true "plantsman." His love of plants extended far beyond trees and forest vegetation. True to the family tradition, he had a particular fondness for rhododendrons and dahlias, and had a productive vegetable garden. Charlie and Sue, his wife, recently established a Rhodo Glen around a beautiful pond and waterfall at their Lost Lake property. Some of us were privileged to have a tour of the Johnson rhododendron gardens in 2007. Charlie had a very full life and leaves a legacy of multiple interests, including generous donations to a number of causes. We will miss him dearly. -- Ev Vaneerden |
|
|
|
||
|
Robert Reuter |
Long-time member of the Olympia Chapter, Bob Reuter, passed away August 6, 2007, at the age of 78. Bob was born October 18, 1928, in Bronxville, New York. He spent his childhood in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Tucumcari, New Mexico. His pattern of living was learned during those early years and included service to God, his country, and his community. He married Lucy Hudson in 1953. After graduation from college and officer candidate school, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Bob was a Senior Army Aviator, receiving many military awards. He was dedicated to serving the church and community wherever they lived. During their time in Germany he organized a group of their friends to visit and give birthday parties at the local orphanage. He was also involved in Boy Scouts of America activities, and was a lay reader in the Army chapels where the family attended. In 1972 he received his bachelor of science degree from New Mexico Military Institute and his master of science degree from Shippensburg State College in Pennsylvania. Bob retired from the Army with a rank of full Colonel in 1980 after 30 years of service. Bob was a Master Gardener and had a wealth of knowledge of rhododendrons and companion plants. He was a sports enthusiast and had a great appreciation for classical music. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren and other kids how to fish. He loved inventing gadgets and had a new solution to the mole problem every year. They didn't always work, but he sure enjoyed the process. Bob was very active in the Olympia Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society and served the chapter in the capacity of publicity chairman for many years. He was always willing to help when we cleaned the park in March, made sure there was plenty of publicity about the May Show, and also arranged for the chapter to use his church for the Christmas party. As his final act of service, and in order to help research in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, Bob participated in several clinical studies conducted by the University of Washington. He was a brave, kind, and generous man and will be missed by the many people who knew him. He always lived his life to the fullest. |
|
|
|
||
|
Richard R. Ryan Princeton Chapter |
Dr. Richard R. Ryan, of the Princeton Chapter, passed away earlier in 2007 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey. Dr. Ryan was a radiologist with Jersey Shore Radiologist Associates for 23 years before retiring in 1994. A graduate of LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Dr. Ryan earned his medical doctorate from Temple University, living in Philadelphia before moving to Brielle, New Jersey. Dr. Ryan, or "Dick", to friends, joined the Princeton Chapter in 1973 and became an active, energetic member from the very beginning. In 1983, he became president and served 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 lovely garden at his home in Brielle, where he tested and grew hundreds of rhododendron species, and hybrids, azaleas, specimen trees, and fine collection of vireyas. In March 2002, Dr. Ryan was awarded the Bronze Medal in recognition for his service to the chapter and the Society. |
|
|
Events |
||
|
2008 ARS Annual Convention, Tulsa, Oklahoma, April 16 to 20 |
ARS 2008 Convention. April 16-20, 2008 Schedule of Events April 19 April 20 |
|
|
|
||
|
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 Scottish thought... |
|
|
|
|
American Rhododendron Society
Executive Director: P.O. Box 525, Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Ph: 416-424-1942 Fax: 905-262-1999 E-Mail:
lauragrant@arsoffice.org
©1998-2008, ARS, All rights reserved.