Bronze Medal Awards

AZALEA CHAPTER
James Harris
The Azalea Chapter would like to recognize James Harris for his accomplishments in hybridizing evergreen azaleas. His contributions are not just to the Azalea Chapter but to the gardening world. Because of its trailing growth habit, 'Pink Cascade' may be the best of all azaleas for hanging pots, containers, and the tops of walls. It is grown worldwide, from Istanbul, Turkey, to Australia. In Europe, it has been issued a 25-year patent and is in tissue culture there.

James has been hybridizing azaleas for thirty years and he has been a member of the Azalea Chapter for twenty-nine. He got his start working with fellow Georgians Ralph Pennington and Bruce Hancock. Henry Skinner, who was at the time director of the National Arboretum, also encouraged James in his work. James has produced many outstanding hybrids. Fred Galle's Azaleas lists thirty-two Harris hybrids and that does not include James' more recent plants. Jim Darden chose James' 'Fascination' for the title page of his Great American Azaleas , which lists seventeen of James' hybrids.

James, who remembers his own grandmother's interest in plants, has detected in his grandchildren a budding interest in his azaleas. Their interest has spurred James into a new period of intense work. He is breeding bi-colors, primarily purple and white, and trying for a long bloom period, at least four months. April 20, 2002.

Willis Hardin
Willis has been a member of the Azalea Chapter since 1967. For many years, he was one of the people who kept us going. He was instrumental in the regional convention which this chapter hosted in his hometown, Commerce, Georgia. Willis has served as president and vice president and has graciously offered his home and his splendid garden as a meeting place. He has also presented programs for the chapter. A few years ago, when definitive articles on rhododendron culture in warm climates appeared in the ARS Journal and Fine Gardening magazine, Willis was the author. His nursery, Homeplace, is now exclusively wholesale, but for years it offered a wide selection of azaleas and rhododendrons directly to area gardeners. And when asked to help with plants at the chapter plant sale, Willis sent a large horse trailer filled with everything from Japanese maples to exotic groundcovers. Thank you, Willis. This award is long overdue. April 20, 2002.

Edith Davis
In the Azalea Chapter of the ARS, presidents and vice presidents come and go, but for as long as most of us have been members, Edith Davis has been our secretary. Edith either records meetings on her tape recorder or takes meticulous notes in shorthand, so those of us who fall asleep during the presentations can find out what we missed when we read the next newsletter. That means Edith is present at every meeting. She also produces our annual roster. Without Edith's work, we would have no idea who we are or what we are doing. In addition to her duties as secretary, Edith regularly takes on additional responsibilities: recently, she organized the Azalea Chapter's booth at the Southeastern Flower show. She has been an essential member of the convention committee, putting together the insert that appeared in The Azalean and the ARS Journal, supervising registration, and responding to everyone who called to ask for information. Edith has been a member since 1972. We are lucky to have a leader like Edith and I am proud to present her with this Bronze Medal. April 20, 2002.

Joe and Donna Coleman
Joe and Donna Coleman almost always work as a team, so we want to recognize them as such. It was a great day for the Azalea Chapter when they joined in 1974. It is hard to imagine now how we would put on a flower show without them. Joe and Donna have managed the flower show many, many times…and it's a big job: finding a place, setting up tables, categorizing and displaying entries, arranging for awards, recruiting judges, and cleaning up afterward. Yet Joe and Donna manage not just to get it done but to make it fun for the participants. They contribute scores of plants for chapter plant sales and annually invite the chapter to hold a cutting party in their garden. How many of us would be willing to set thirty people with shears loose in our gardens?

The Coleman team has also been essential in the planning and organizing of this convention and, for that matter, of anything else that the chapter does. But the most important contribution they have made to the chapter and the local gardening community is their garden. It is a work of art and if you have the gardening gene yourself, you cannot visit the Coleman garden without being inspired and invigorated to go home and get to work. April 20, 2002.

EUGENE CHAPTER
Harold E. Greer
Your contributions to the Eugene Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society are outstanding and numerous. And your co-chairmanship of the 2001 American Rhododendron Society Annual Convention Committee and happily doing all manner of tasks, both big and small, was instrumental in its great success. In recognition of your contributions, we are pleased to award the Bronze Medal to Harold E. Greer. March 30, 2002.

Gordon K. Wylie
Your contributions to the Eugene Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society are outstanding and numerous. And your co-chairmanship of the 2001 American Rhododendron Society Annual Convention Committee and program chairman of that event were instrumental in its great success. In recognition of your contributions, we are pleased to award the Bronze Medal to Gordon K. Wylie. March 30, 2002.

KOMO KULSHAN
Cora Zoberst
The Komo Kulshan Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present a second Bronze Medal to Cora Zoberst for her long and dedicated service to the chapter. Cora received her first Bronze Medal in 1989 and was duly recognized for ably filling the offices of president, secretary-treasurer and board member and for sharing her horticultural knowledge. Since that time, Cora has not slowed down in her service to the chapter. She has served on the Board of Directors and currently holds that position along with the position of chapter historian. She was the chapter's liaison for the ARS Annual Convention in Bellevue. She unfailingly comes to each chapter meeting, arriving early to brew our coffee and prepare the table of refreshments. She also donates plants for our auctions.

Cora is a professional plantswoman and has owned and operated her own nursery, Cora's Nursery in Anacortes. She has generously shared her horticultural knowledge with members of the chapter for over two decades. She is the best friend a chapter could have. For these reasons the Komo Kulshan Chapter honors Cora with a second Bronze Medal on March 21, 2002.

Fred Kirby
The Komo Kulshan Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal Award to Fred Kirby. Fred is a member known for his willingness to serve the chapter wherever he is most needed. His current "official" job is as a board member. But the chapter especially prizes Fred for his "unofficial" contributions. He invariably brings merriment to chapter meetings and is living proof that belonging to the American Rhododendron Society is suppose to be fun.

Although fishing on the Skagit River brought Fred and his wife, Lenita, to the area, rhododendrons finally caught their fancy and they collected as many as they could. They also joined the Komo Kulshan Chapter. In 1983, Fred started a nursery, Sisco Tree & Rhody Farm. He attended Edmonds Community College to learn how to graft and became proficient at grafting both conifers and rhododendrons. Fred's horticultural prowess is well known, especially his grafting abilities, and he generously shares his horticultural knowledge with members. If the chapter needs help, Fred is there. He will hold an office, provide horticultural advice or enliven a meeting. For these reasons, the Komo Kulshan Chapter awards Fred with its highest award, the Bronze Medal, on March 21, 2002.

MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER
John Perkins
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. It is difficult to isolate one member of a team such as you and Sally, as you have jointly done so much for the chapter. Together you have participated in almost every chapter activity that exists, often assuming leadership roles. You have been tireless and energetic workers at numerous Mass. Hort. Flower Shows and Chapter Truss Shows and Auctions, and at the convention, often wearing many hats. You have been active in Plants for Members, the Propagators' Group (Rhododendron Roundtable), and the Species Study Group. You have organized and presented programs to both our chapter and others. You have hybridized and, after ruthless evaluations, shared your "winners" with us through opening your gardens and donating cuttings to Plants for Members. But you have gone beyond the usual team effort with your own unique offerings. You have served on the Gold Medal Committee and Nomination Committee. You have been a speaker at a number of meetings, addressing not only our main interest, rhododendrons, but contributing your own technical knowledge of computer presentations and digital photography. You have organized and carried out the Sandy Rhododendron Sale for years. Your crowning achievement (giving credit for Sally's help as well) is undoubtedly the chapter website - amazing! This accomplishment alone - the taking/acquiring and organization of hundreds of quality photographs, the research into low cost sites, and the constant maintenance and improvement of a site of such great educational value - is worthy in itself of the Bronze Medal. For all of these accomplishments, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society. Nov. 11, 2001.

Sally Perkins
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. And now, the other half of the whole! You and John have participated in almost every chapter activity that exists, often volunteering for leadership roles. You have been tireless and energetic workers at numerous Mass. Hort. Flower Shows and Chapter Truss Shows and Auctions, and at the convention, many times wearing multiple hats. You have been active in Plants for Members, the Propagators' Group (Rhododendron Roundtable), and the Species Study Group. You have organized and presented programs to our chapter and others. You have hybridized and, after ruthless evaluations, shared your "winners" with us through opening your gardens and donating cuttings to Plants for Members. But you have gone beyond the services that you and John have jointly provided with contributions that are uniquely your own. Not only have you offered willing and enthusiastic labor for numerous flower shows, but you have served as co-chair and designer. You have organized and selected plants for countless companion plant sales at our own truss show and auctions. You have served on the Board of Directors and Nominating Committee. And last, but not least, your expertise in the world of digital photography continues to provide hours of enjoyment for rhodophiles fortunate enough to have accessed the chapter website. For all of these accomplishments, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society. Nov. 11, 2001.

Lorry Roeder
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. Back in April of 1996, our then-president Joe Parks awarded you a President's Award stating that you were "another one of those folks who comes around and says 'do you mind if I do so-and-so.'" Only a year later President Charlie Patterson called you an "unsung hero." And who are we to argue with two presidents? You have served on the board and been an active member of the Species Study Group. You have served on the Judging Committee and volunteered at numerous Mass. Hort Flower Shows–even giving a chapter mini-program with our illustrious Tim Craig on how to man our displays. You have shared your cheerful nature, subtle sense of humor, and golden tongue with all of us, not only in person but also in your regular contributions to The Rosebay under the title "Roeder's Ramblings." Your most noteworthy and visible contributions have been in the area of graphic design. All of the badges and signs of the chapter exist because of you. One of the earlier highlights of your design career occurred in the course of the 1996 Mass. Hort. Flower Show. Not only did you design the brochures (17,000 of which were passed out), but you drove for five hours through a snowstorm to pick them up from the printer and deliver them to the show in time for opening day. Your latest major coup was helping to design a new logo for Convention 2000 and producing chapter T-shirts for volunteer members. In appreciation for your years of valuable and productive service, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal. April 24, 2002.

Peter Littlefield
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. You are another one of those members who quietly work in the background, offering help whenever you see a need. You have served as a judge at various chapter shows, participated in the Rhododendron Roundtable, been a valuable member of the Board of Directors, and helped label and lug untold numbers of auction plants. One of your most recent accomplishments was chairing the very successful plant sale during Convention 2000. Your presence has been noted not only because of the breadth of your service, but by the depth of one particular contribution. In 1994 you took over the chapter's group order of Van Veen plants and have continued that effort with quiet efficiency ever since. Since that time you have devoted countless hours to the minutiae essential to the success of an enterprise of this magnitude = publishing the availability list, receiving plant orders from members, record-keeping, invoicing, correspondence with Van Veen, organizing work parties to pick up and deliver the plants, and then unpack and sort them, and arranging for facilities for distribution. The chapter has been the beneficiary of your labors both financially and in terms of goodwill. Through all the tribulations, you have displayed a singular evenness of temper and cheerfulness. In appreciation for your generous and unselfish devotion, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society. April 24, 2002.

Josie Coleman
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. You have been an active member of the Society since 1979, and in those years have been one of those members who have quietly, but with consistency, enthusiasm, and great dedication, volunteered your services and expertise to support chapter activities. There has not been a plant sale, truss show and auction or flower show exhibit that you have not cheerfully worked at, rain or shine, as assistant registrar, cashier, or in whatever capacity was needed. You have attended Plants for Members faithfully, as well as regularly donating cuttings for propagation. You have helped with the dissemination of the Van Veen orders. As evidence of the love you have of all things horticultural, you share your plants with many visitors and your garden is always open for others to enjoy. Your good cheer and friendly nature have enhanced chapter gatherings and welcomed many a new member. Without the support of members like you, our chapter would lack the depth and warmth that characterize our group. And above all is the blueberry cake! For all of these accomplishments the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society. November 12, 2000.

Ian Donovan
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. There are followers, and there are leaders. There are those who wait to be asked to take part, and there are those who step bravely forward where they perceive a need. Since you joined the chapter in 1975, you have been one of those who have always taken a leadership role, be it in a formal position or with your suggestions for improvement. In 1983 you founded the Species Study Group, recruited members, and served as chair for many years. In 1984 you joined the Executive Board for the first time as treasurer and have since served on the board in many capacities. You took on the Rosebay as editor in 1988, as well as serving on the Nominating Committee that year. You have been a member of the Plant Evaluation Committee and Awards Committee, run the educational programs presented at the Truss Show and Auction, clerked for various truss shows, and served on the most recent By-laws Committee. And you somehow managed to find time to speak at several chapter meetings, contribute numerous cuttings to Plants for Members, and author articles for both the Rosebay and the ARS Journal. Finally, as if all that was not enough, you again stepped forward to fill a gap (a very large one at that!) and served first as chapter vice-president and then president. Not content to just chair routine meetings, you set yourself the goal of formalizing many of the policies and procedures needed to run a chapter of oor size, were instrumental in the success of our Convention 2000, and, almost unbelievably, continued regular production of the newsletter. For all of these accomplishments, and your enthusiastic devotion to the Society over the years, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal. November 12, 2000.

George Hibben
The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the chapter. There are those who fight at the head of armies and who write their own sagas. And there are those who steadfastly serve in the ranks and about whom fairy tales are written - "The Lion Who Roared Like a Mouse." You are one of those. Although you choose to remain in the background, usually quietly leaving an event once the work is done but before the accolades are tendered, you have served on every committee and helped with virtually every chapter activity. You have been an active member of the Propagator's Group, a speaker at a number of chapter meetings, been active in Plants for Members, been a member of the Case Estates Committee for many years, served as Truss Show and Auction co-chair, and have been on numerous Mass. Hort. Flower Show and Auction Committees, tending plants at the greenhouse and spending countless hours helping to set up and break down exhibits. Not only have you hauled plants, but you have hosted and cared for plants at your own home when no other facilities were available. You have served as chapter auditor. And more recently, you are not only a board member, but a member of the Finance Committee. There is perhaps one activity that illustrates the dedication and effectiveness which you always demonstrate. In 1995, on the occasion of our 25th Anniversary Truss Show and Auction, you quietly asked if the committee wanted you to really advertise the event. They did, and you did, and we got a million people - a record year! And you continue to serve in that capacity today. For all of these accomplishments, the chapter is proud to present you with its highest award, the Bronze Medal of the Society. April 2001.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC CHAPTER
Kendon L. Stubbs
The Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents to Kendon L. Stubbs this Bronze Medal Award in recognition of his service to the chapter over many years. On May 26, 1983, the Alderman Library of the University of Virginia became the official repository of MAC ARS documents to secure ARS records, manuscripts, and other relevant materials for preservation along with its rhododendron manuscript and book collections. In the late 1990s, the Science & Engineering Library of the University of Virginia began developing a website of rhododendron resources that notably now includes back issues of the Rhododendron and Azalea News. It is doubtful that these events would have transpired and come to fruition without his efforts. We recognize Kendon L. Stubbs for his quiet devotion to our chapter, the ARS and the genus Rhododendron with this, our chapter's highest honor. May 4, 2002.

PRINCETON CHAPTER
Dr. Richard R. Ryan
The American Rhododendron Society Princeton Chapter takes pride and pleasure in awarding the Society's Bronze Medal to Dr. Richard R. Ryan. You are an avid gardener and have created a beautiful garden with an extensive collection of plants ranging from annuals to specimen trees and prominent are your many azaleas and rhododendrons. You have experimented with many species and hybrids and at one time you had a fine collection of vireyas. As a talented photographer you enjoyed putting your garden on film and have made your pictures available for chapter use. You joined the American Rhododendron Society in 1973 and became active in supporting the activities of the Princeton Chapter. Our flower shows and plant sales benefited greatly from your efforts. In 1983 you became chapter president and served for two terms. During this time you formed the Chapter Study Group. Subsequently you chaired the Study Group and initiated the compilation of a good doers list for our area. This project resulted in the publication of the list as a booklet available to the members and to the public. The Princeton Chapter and the Study Group are grateful for the tradition you established and will endeavor to continue the tradition. Therefore this March 2002, in recognition of your service to the chapter and the Society, the Princeton Chapter presents you with its Bronze Medal.

Robert Warren
The American Rhododendron Society Princeton Chapter takes pride and pleasure in awarding the Society's Bronze Medal to Robert Warren. Robert Warren, you have served the Princeton Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society for many years. As president and Board member you have worked diligently to advance the goals of the organization. Your participation in flower shows, plant sales and plant exchanges has been unfailing. You have been a faithful member of the study group, and a propagator and distributor of rare plant material. Whenever help was needed, you have been a ready and willing volunteer. As an exhibitor at flower shows, you have encouraged us to set high standards with the range and beauty of your entries. At our cutting exchanges you have generously provided material for all to share. At bloom time you have opened your garden to spring tours and the beauty of your garden has enriched us all. For these reasons, the Princeton Chapter presents you with its Bronze Medal this March 2002, in recognition of your long service to the chapter and the Society.

Frank M. Furman
The American Rhododendron Society Princeton Chapter takes pride and pleasure in awarding the Society's Bronze Medal to Frank M. Furman. Frank Furman joined the ARS in November 1971 and has been an active participant in Princeton Chapter activities since he first became a member. These include donating time and energy in the maintenance of the Mercer County Display Garden as well as the use of salesmanship and enthusiasm at the chapter's most significant source of income, the spring plant sale. Frank is a hybridizer of lepidotes, elepidotes, and azaleas and has traveled to the northwestern USA, England, and Germany in order to see plants that please him. He often produces small plants that add beauty to his rock garden, but the influence of R. macabeanum can be seen in many of his larger hybrids. Frank is noted for his generosity and readily donates these beautiful plants and cuttings, as well as pollen, to those who ask. He also provides generous numbers of plants for the annual auction. Judging entries at other chapter flower shows is part of his spring schedule but he plans his time so that he may enter fine exhibits at his own chapter show. Frank was one of the founding members of the chapter Study Group as well as the area Hybridizers' Group. He and his wife, Jean, also provided their beautiful garden for chapter tours at blooming time. Therefore on this March of 2002, in recognition of over 30 years service to the chapter and the Society, the Princeton Chapter presents you with its Bronze Medal.

SIUSLAW CHAPTER
Marty Beam
The Siuslaw Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society was honored to award the Bronze Medal to Marty Beam for her longtime service to the chapter and for the many years of guidance she provided as a member of the Board of Directors as a member at large, secretary and two terms as vice president. Marty coordinated the secretaries and recorders for the Siuslaw Chapter's shows for many years and assisted the Siuslaw Chapter at the regional shows and conventions. The Bronze Medal was presented at the annual Christmas potluck where Marty was recognized not only for her years of service as a member of the Board of Directors but also "for the quiet strength you radiate…for the enthusiastic way you always respond and are always there…for your faithful and unfailing support." From all of us at the chapter, thank you, Marty, for always being here when we need you. December 2001.