AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY

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The International Headquarters for the American Rhododendron Society is located in Fortuna, California. The office is open daily, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT. The Executive Director is available to answer your questions and provide additional information about our Society. Phone (707) 725-3043, Fax (707) 725-1217. Email the Executive Director

"Rhododendrons in the Victorian Seaport"

"Rhododendrons in the Victorian Seaport" will be theme of the 19th annual Western Regional Conference, to be held September 30 through October 3 in Eureka, California. The Eureka Chapter is the host chapter, with conference headquarters at the historic Eureka Inn. The Western Regional was last held in Eureka in 1993. Eureka is located on the rugged Northern California coast. The weather in early October is almost always perfect.

The Eureka Chapter will begin the festivities on Thursday evening with a traditional Native American Salmon Bake, a Yurok story telling and dancing. An art show, a photography competition open to conference attendees, garden tours, lectures and other events are also being planned during the event. The plant sale will feature rhododendrons and companion plants. Conference Chair Nelda Palmer and her committee have lined up major speakers. Ann Lovejoy, author and lecturer, and Dr. Leonard O. Miller, District 11 Director from Grove, Oklahoma, will highlight the program. At the banquet on Saturday evening Dr. Miller* will present "Rhododendrons in Oklahoma." The Western Regional Rhododendron Conferences have become known for their educational workshops. These Saturday workshops will be led by Hank Schannen, Steve Hootman, Jerry Harris, Merle Sanders, Mike Bones, Frank Wan and Clint Smith. Come visit us and enjoy the Conference.

(This information provided by Jerry Reynolds, Eureka Chapter. For registration information contact Jerry Reynolds or Tim Walsh

* You may read about Dr. Miller’s garden, Lendonwood, seen in Rhododendron and Azalea News, December, 1998.

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The Middle Atlantic Chapter (MAC) of the American Rhododendron Society will host an Eastern Regional Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia, from November 5 to 7. Williamsburg is one of the country's great historical, cultural, and recreational centers. It was the second capitol of Virginia, England's largest colony in North America. (Jamestown on the banks of the James River was the first capitol.) Restoration of Williamsburg began in 1926 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Eighty-eight of the original structures were preserved and 50 major buildings and many smaller buildings were reconstructed on their original sites. The area has a wealth of horticultural attractions, including many formal gardens in the Colonial Williamsburg area.

The Meeting Headquarters is the Radisson Fort Magruder Hotel and Conference Center. It is conveniently located near the historic district and easily accessible from Interstate 64. Special convention discount rates will be available only on reservations made prior to October 14, 1999. (Phone 800-333-3333. Ask for ARS conference rates).

An entertaining and enlightening agenda has been arranged to please both the old pro and the novice, an agenda that will encompass our many unique growing conditions and the wonderful diversity of the genus Rhododendron.

On Friday, November 5:

• Hank Schannen, chair of the ARS Research Foundation, will give the opening talk on the "Future of Rhododendrons."

The Saturday, November 6, program includes:

• George Ring of Potomac Valley, who recently moved his rhododendron collection to a mountain top in Virginia, speaking on cold hardiness;
• George McLellan, of the Middle Atlantic Chapter's Species Study Group, speaking about native azalea hybrid swarms;
• David Sauer, artist and photography teacher, talking about the new Kurumes;
• Dr. John Thornton, hybridizer and nursery owner from Franklinton, Louisiana, speaking on heat tolerant rhododendrons;
• Paul James, grower of the largest collection of Delp hybrids, speaking about the Delp and Haag Rhododendrons;
• Sonja Nelson, author and ARS Journal Editor, speaking on "Landscaping with Rhododendrons";
• Don Hyatt, award winning computer teacher, speaking on computers and the garden.
• The banquet speaker is plant explorer and nurseryman Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery, who will present a humorous and informative program about "Plants on the Cutting Edge" showing use of new and unusual companion plants.

Sunday morning, November 7, will feature a program about the eastern native azaleas by the MAC Species Study Group and the Hybridizers Roundtable with azalea and rhododendron hybridizer, Dr. Sandra McDonald, moderating a panel of experts. Participants will be:

• Dr. John Thornton of Franklinton, Louisiana, who will talk about heat tolerance;
• Werner Brack of St. James, New York, who has done some breeding for yellow and hardy plants;
• Walter Przypek of Yorktown, Virginia, who likes to try unusual crosses and has worked with evergreen azaleas, deciduous azaleas and rhododendrons;
• Harry Wise and Dr. Douglas Jolley who will do a joint presentation about the problems involved with raising seedlings and how the MAC Nursery developed as a result of it.

There will be tours to Richmond to see the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. A magnificent, new building, the Robins Visitors Center opened in March 1999, and a new three-acre garden is being developed around it. Some gardens that have been developed here include the Martha and Reed West Island Garden, Asian Valley, The Children's Garden, Vienna Cobb Anderson Wildflower Meadow, The Cottage Garden, Madeline Livesay Friendship Garden, and the Lora and Claiborne Robins Tea House. In Williamsburg walking tours of Colonial Williamsburg gardens and the College of William and Mary Campus will be available.

A highlight of the meeting is a plant sale featuring Delp and Ring rhododendrons, McDonald evergreen azaleas, some of the new Kurumes, other evergreen azaleas, native azaleas, many other rare and special rhododendrons and azaleas, magnolias, and companion plants.

Other activities include a book sale, a fall foliage show, and a photo contest.

Many activities are available for spouses and families. They include: shopping at the outlet malls, finding antiques, handcrafted colonial reproductions; touring Colonial Williamsburg (admission tickets are required for most colonial exhibitions); visiting the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center, the DeWitt Wallace Gallery in Colonial Williamsburg, and the Joseph and Margaret Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William and Mary. Area attractions include Jamestown Island 1607 and Jamestown Festival Park; Yorktown and Yorktown battlefields where the patriots defeated the British; Carter's Grove, Berkeley, Sherwood and Shirley Plantations; Busch Gardens (The Old Country Theme Park). There is shopping at the Williamsburg Pottery Factory and at Merchant's Square in Williamsburg.

Many fine restaurants are available in the area as well as the ordinary fast food restaurants.

Some members' gardens will be available for visits on Sunday.

Additional conference and registration information can be found in the summer issue of the American Rhododendron Society Journal.

For more information or registration forms contact

Registrar:
Jane McKay
3 Cobb's CourtPalmyra VA 22963
Telephone: 804-589-9630.

(This information provided by Sandra McDonald and George McLellan of the Middle Atlantic Chapter. Call Ray Doggett, 804-642-9190 for further information.)

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1999 SCHEDULE

For the last few years ARS members have made expeditions to different areas in southeastern United States to evaluate the flowering of azaleas and rhododendrons. Joe Schild, Vice President and Program Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Chapter, has sent the following information about the chapter’s trips. Many of you have read about expeditions to different Balds in the Southeast. Here is an opportunity to share in some of these activities.

From Joe Schild, Vice President & Program Chairman, Tennessee Valley Chapter:

Please keep in mind this schedule is drafted in late January, and the predications of best bloom times are estimated, based on previous years experience and predicted future weather conditions. Based on the huge bud set from 1998 for this years’ bloom, there will be an excellent flowering of azaleas and rhododendrons. I will be making frequent journeys to the locations for evaluation of flowering, so please call me for the status prior to making reservations at motels or a long trip. For the early season trips, wear warm clothing and bring cameras on all the trips. At publication, early trips will have been done.

NOTE: Ed Collins of Hendersonville will be advising me on the flowering conditions on the next trips, so a call to me may be advised around June 7th, for a dash run to Copper Bald, North Carolina.

1. Saturday & Sunday, June 19th and 20th, an overnight trip to Wayah Bald, North Carolina on Saturday, then Copper Bald on Sunday. Plans are to go direct to Wayah on Saturday for the Flame Azalea bloom, then stay overnight in Andrews. Sunday morning I plan on hiking the 1.5 mile moderate trail to Copper and check out the interspecifics in bloom, then leave for the return trip to Chattanooga and Hixson. For those not familiar with Wayah or Copper, you may wish to follow me on this trip in convoy. We will meet at the Burger King off I-75 and Shallowford Road exit at Hamilton Place Mall, at 6:30 AM and plan to leave by 7:00 AM. It is about a three-hour drive with a pit stop in Murphy, North Carolina. There are a number of Motels in the Hamilton Place Mall area just off I-75.  The drive to Wayah is a beautiful trip with loads of scenic views, the impressive Occoee River Gorge, and Copperhill area. We do pack a picnic lunch for eating on Wayah. There are tables, ample parking, a brick primitive rest room, and the short trail to the top of the Bald is paved to accommodate the handicapped.
2. Sunday, June 27th—A hike into the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, to see and record the R. arborescens, R. viscosum, and R. maximum flowering in this most scenic area. It is a moderate to difficult hike with some possible boulder hopping up the creek bed. Pack water and something to eat along with perhaps a wipe towel, for it is hot and humid at that time of year. We will also be looking for the Stewartia ovata, and the form grandiflora. There are several motels located in the Hixson, Tennessee location, just ten or fifteen minutes from the NCG destination. See the lodging list at the end of this schedule.
3. Saturday, July 3rd—A possible return to North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. Please call for conformation on this hike, for a lot depends upon bloom times.
4. We have several open dates for a long hike to Gregory Bald, TN in late June or early July, depending upon reports from the National Park Service and fellow azalea chasers. We will use the Parson’s Branch Trail, 4.5 miles. It may be prudent to give me a call for those dates, perhaps from mid-June to June 25th.
5. Saturday, October 23rd—Return to Wayah and Copper Balds for the fall color and to collect seed we hand pollinated in June.
6. Saturday, November 13th—Return to North Chickamauga Creek Gorge to collect seed.
7. Sunday, November 14th—Return to the Cumberland to collect seed.

TO REACH ME:

Joe Schild
1705 Longview Street
Hixson, TN 37343-1738
(423) 842-9686 Home
(423) 822-2300 Work

MOTEL LISTINGS IN THE HIXSON AREA

Hampton Inn, 1920 Hamill Rd., Hixson, TN 37343, (423) 877-3100
Holiday Inn. Express, 4833 Hixson Pike, 37343, (423) 877-8388

MOTEL LISTINGS IN THE HAMILTON PLACE AREA

Comfort Inn, 7717 Lee Hwy, (423) 894-5454
Econo Lodge, 7421 Bonny Oaks Dr., (423) 499-9550
Wingate Inn, 7310 Shallowford Rd., (423) 0893-7400

There are more motels in the Hamilton Place area.

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The Cowichan Valley Rhododendron Society, a chapter of the American Rhododendron Society in District 1, will host the 20^th Western Regional Rhododendron Conference on September 14-17, 2000.

The Cowichan Valley surrounds the picturesque city of Duncan on Vancouver Island. Duncan is located one hour north of Victoria via a scenic trip over the Malahat, or conversely one hour south of Nanaimo which has ferry terminals to Swartz Bay ( West Vancouver) or Tsawwassen, near the Canada-U.S. border which allows a driving loop of southern Vancouver Island. There are also connecting U.S. ferries from Seattle, Anacortes and Port Angeles to Victoria.

The Valley has all the best of the Island, agriculture, logging and fishing communities. It is home to four local wineries and the only cidery in western Canada to use real apple juice. It is also home to the oldest lawn tennis court in Canada. There are three 18-hole golf courses, and one can peruse the superb gardens as you play your round. Spectacular mountain views, lake and woodland walks await visitors. Watch the spawning salmon or take fishing, boating and sailing excursions to and from other islands as well as to Butchart Gardens.

There is a Totem walk around Duncan, the city of Totems. The largest hockey stick in the world adorns the side of the community center. The Forest Museum and a replica of the tallest wooden span trestle in the British Empire are here. See the "last spike" of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Enjoy a visit to the nearby town of Chemainus to view the many outdoor murals depicting the history of the area.

There is a garden 40 miles away belonging to the University of Victoria that was the home of Buchanan Simpson. This garden has rhododendrons moved there to become the foundation stock of the Finnerty Rhododendron Garden at U. Victoria. And the Valley offers much more.

The Howard Johnson Suite Hotel at the Water will be the conference headquarters, but there are a variety of other accommodations within a ten-mile radius.

Organizers are lining up a roster of excellent speakers on scientific and general interest topics. The events will include a salmon barbecue, a town and country garden tour and the traditional banquet with Frank Fujioka as guest speaker. The speakers will enrich you, the gardens will inspire you and the special events will show you a good time. Come join us for a wonderful weekend.

For information and registration:  Helen Schuckel, Registrar.

[This information has been compiled by Betty Spady from a handout distributed at the 1999 Annual Convention in Bellevue, Washington.]

Websites

Don't forget the American Rhododendron Society Website: http://www.rhododendron.org

The American Rhododendron Society is a non-profit organization. Learn more about the Society here. Membership information may also be found in this site. This new website is now maintained by Project Alpha, Inc. It is regularly updated. Many of our chapters have their own homepages. You may connect from this site directly to all of these websites. Click on the name.

Other Societies that have Internet Sites:

There are many other good Websites about rhododendrons, which have been designed recently. Some of our members' personal Website addresses have been included in articles or information in other Rhododendron and Azalea News pages. Check out the "Links to Other Websites" on the Books, etc. Page. Look for them!

Chapters with Websites that are not listed should send the URL to bettyspady@aol.com

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  The following information gives the names of those who hold Offices, Positions and Committee Chairmanships for the American Rhododendron Society. A brief description of the committees’ responsibilities is given.

These people represent your Society working for you.

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Information about ARS Chapters and District distribution can be found in the ARS Website at http://www.rhododendron.org

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Committees with brief description. Chairman, chapter affiliation.

 

AWARDS COMMITTEE:

Identifies new superior plants to encourage propagation and distribution:  Leonard Miller (Ozark).

ARCHIVES COMMITTEE:

Works with the Alderman Library to maintain records of the ARS.  Sandra McDonald, Middle Atlantic Chapter

AZALEA COMMITTEE:

Promotes evergreen and deciduous azaleas to recognize their importance in the Genus Rhododendron: 

BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Makes up and recommends budget, acts in advisory capacity:  Ted Stecki, Pine Barrens Chapter

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:

Reviews policies and supports Journal Editor:  Sandra McDonald, Middle Atlantic Chapter

HONORS COMMITTEE:

Acts upon and reviews applications for Gold and Silver Medals, Citation for Service or Award of Merit:  Ed Egan, Portland Chapter

LONG-RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE:

Looks ahead and recommends goals within the Society’s financial means to the Board:  H.C.("Bud") Gehnrich.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Prepares a slate for nominating officers of the Society:  Gordon Wylie, Eugene Chapter

REGISTRAR OF PLANT NAME:

Serves as American Rhododendron Society registration agent for the Royal Horticultural Society, in its role as International Registration Authority for the genus Rhododendron. Maintains a complete file of all registrations’ materials:  Jay Murray, Princeton Chapter

RESEARCH COMMITTEE:

Fosters and encourages research in the rhododendron field. Serves as a clearinghouse to receive and evaluate research proposals. This  committe works with the Rhododendron Research Foundation.  The research Application Form is available.   Email to Ben Hall, Seattle Chapter

RESEARCH FOUNDTION:

Although not a Society committee, the Research Foundation works closely with the Society. It solicits for funds and distributes monies for research projects; acknowledges all gifts; recommends appropriate uses for Fund income; manages investments: H.A. "Hank" Shannen, Chairman, Princeton Chapter,  Werner Brack, Treasurer, New York Chapter,

SEED EXCHANGE COMMITTEE:

Provides for the distribution of seed to the ARS membership.  Co-chairmen John Nicolella and George Woodard, New York Chapter.  

FLOWER SHOW COMMITTEE:

Prepares and updates information on Rhododendron Shows. Booklet Show and Judging Book.  Eleanor Stubbs, Portland Chapter

SLIDE & VIDEOTAPE LIBRARY:

Facilitates the creation, assembling and distribution of audio-visual programs for rent by chapters of the Society:  Wes Tarpley, Seattle Chapter

TEST AND DISPLAY GARDEN COMMITTEE:

Serves as a resource group for chapters wishing to establish gardens of this type:  Clarence (Slim) Barrett, Eugene Chapter

POLLEN BANK COMMITTEE:

Collects and distributes pollen for a fee to interested members and contributors:  Ron Rabideau, Princeton Chapter

PIONEER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD COMMITTEE:

Award is given for pioneering and original achievement in the advancement of rhododendrons in America. Activated upon need. Committee composed of the ARS President, Eastern and Western Vice-presidents and two international members from different countries.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

ARS officers plus three board members who are appointed by the president with Society Board approval.

ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE:

Solicits for donations, memorial gifts and bequests to the Fund. Acknowledges all gifts. Recommends appropriate uses for Fund income:   Tim Walsh, Eureka Chapter

SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR SALARIED POSITIONS:

Activated upon need. Committee includes Eastern and Western Vice-presidents plus 3 ARS members, one each appointed by ARS Vice-presidents and ARS President.

SPEAKERS’ BUREAU:

Gathers names of speakers and their topics to distribute to chapters.  For information about the Speakers' Bureau and/or participation in the program as a speaker, see the Speakers' Bureau Page.  Betty Spady, Portland Chapter

BYLAWS & POLICIES COMMITTEE:

Manages the phrasing of documents and presents to the Board any suggested changes in the Society’s Bylaws and Policies of the Board.   Gordon Wylie, Eugene Chapter

LONG TERM INVESTMENT COMMITTEE:

Manages investments and reports to the Board of the investments, earnings, and other pertinent information. Chair is ARS Treasurer:  Tim Walsh, Eureka Chapter

HARDINESS COMMITTEE:

Responsible for accumulation of observations about hardiness of hybrids and species. Compiles and publishes this information periodically.  For information regarding hardiness definition and participation in data gathering see the Hardiness Committee Page.   Herb Spady, Willamette Chapter

PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE:

Determines the best means to provide information on proper rhododendron culture:  Wayne Mezzit, Massachusetts Chapter

PUBLICITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE:

Develops a press kit and educational display materials for use at shows, fairs, etc. Seeks and maintains contacts with gardening magazines and horticultural organizations, to publicize the Society. Publishes press releases for ARS conventions and regional conferences. Establishes a local contact with each ARS chapter to encourage local publicizing, press releases and other assistance:  

MEMBERSHIP & CHAPTER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Works with the Executive Director and District Directors to provide chapter membership chairmen and/or treasurers with effective procedures for membership renewals. Develops educational displays to be use by chapters. Develops guidelines and materials to organize new chapters:  Mike Stewart, Portland Chapter

ELECTRONIC MEDIA COMMITTEE:

Develops uses for the Internet to promote the Society. Advisory for an ARS website. Advisory for the electronic newsletter committee and other related projects:  Richard (Dick) Gustafson, Princeton Chapter

 ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE:

Develops and maintains an electronic newsletter on the Internet called "Rhododendron and Azalea News" using the Society’s chapters’ newsletters as the main sources of materials:  Betty Spady, Editor, Portland Chapter--Herb Spady, Publisher

  ARS WEBMASTER:

Develops and maintains a Website for the Society:   (Project Alpha)

 

Don't forget that the name of the ARS is the American Rhododendron Society, not the National Rhododendron Society! When dues are sent to the Executive Director they are sent to the Society office, not the national office. Our annual meeting is the Society meeting, not the national meeting. Our officers are Society officers, not national officers. (Guess who! HAS)

Comments, suggestions and contribution may be emailed to: bettyspady@AOL.com

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