Bronze Medal Awards

FRASER SOUTH CHAPTER

Mike Trembath

The Fraser South Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal Award to Mike Trembath for her many outstanding contributions to our chapter. Mike was a founding member of the chapter and has served in many capacities on the Executive Committee. She is always willing to share her extensive knowledge of the Rhododendron genus with others and invite chapter members to her mature rhododendron garden. She willingly took on the job of editor of "The Yak," the chapter newsletter, and has maintained it as a lively periodical with many contributions from members with Mike's encouragement. She has contributed to the ARS Journal and is an active participant at chapter events. The Fraser South Chapter is fortunate to have her as a member.

PIEDMONT CHAPTER

Dr. Reid Bahnson

Dr. Reid Bahnson, M.D., you have been a loyal and active member of the Piedmont Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society since 1970. You have been an officer of the chapter and have supported its programs and activities, especially its flower shows. You have supplied outstanding specimens of rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas for chapter auctions. You have also provided such specimens for planting in the Van Landingham Rhododendron Glen at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In addition, you were instrumental in developing rhododendron plantings at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem, NC. You have written several articles for the ARS Journal, have made presentations at local and regional meetings on the techniques of hybridization, and have been a popular member of "Breeders Roundtable" discussions. Over the years you have been involved in the search throughout North Carolina for wild specimens of white-flowered variants of our native Rhododendron catawbiense , especially heat-tolerant selections to use in hybridizing. In fact, you have become something of an authority on this plant. You have named and registered several hybrids. You have also worked with hybridizing large-flowered deciduous azaleas, and have grown many beautiful specimens. You have enjoyed growing rhododendrons, azaleas, and other interesting plants, with your wife, Lou, at your home in Winston-Salem. You have had a passion for developing new hybrids, and have been an inspiration to others as you share your knowledge and plants. Furthermore, you have been involved in growing orchids and have given many beautiful specimens for public display to the McMillan Greenhouse at UNC Charlotte. Your broad influence will be felt for many years, and we wish you good luck in your continued work.

Reid, we are fortunate to have you involved in the Piedmont Chapter and we are proud to award you the Bronze Medal, this 26th Day of March, in the year 2000.

Dr. Robert L. Means

Dr. Robert L Means, M.D., you have been a loyal and supportive member of the Piedmont Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society since 1970.You have been an officer, including president, more than once. You have presented programs on plants of interest to our members and have been a major supplier of outstanding plants for our annual plant auctions. You have participated in workdays in the Van Landingham Rhododendron Glen at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and have supplied fine specimens of hybrid rhododendrons for display in these gardens. You have been a District Director of the Southeastern Region for the American Rhododendron Society and have attended numerous regional and national conventions. With your wife, Mary Jane, you have enjoyed growing rhododendrons at your home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, since 1962. During that period you have hybridized many rhododendrons and registered at least four hybrids. You have published several articles in the ARS Journal on your hybridization work involving the search for heat-tolerant selections. You have been generous with plants and information, and welcomed visitors to your garden. With your son, Rob, you started the Yadkin Valley Nursery, which is famous for specializing in well-grown dwarf conifers and other evergreen shrubs. We wish you good luck in all your future endeavors.

Bob, we are fortunate to have you involved in the Piedmont Chapter and we are proud to award you the Bronze Medal, this 26th Day of March, 2000.