Spring Meeting of Middle Atlantic Chapter
Thomas D. Wheeldon, M.D., Secretary
The 1968 Spring Meeting of the Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society was held May 17, 18, 19, at the Holiday Inn atop the Blue Ridge Mountains, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The meeting had a nicely balanced program.
As usual, gardens containing rhododendrons in their inception and as finished ones were visited. This has become quite an educational facet, for those newly interested in rhododendrons have the opportunity of studying design and sifting cultivars which will suit their purpose best. The chapter is fortunate enough to have members who have some very fine gardens.
The didactic portion of the program was handled by Dr. J. H. Tinga, Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, who spoke on "Pests and Diseases," and Mr. Fred C. Galle, President of the American Horticultural Society, and Director of the Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Georgia, who spoke on "Native Azaleas and Rhododendrons." These talks were timely to both the amateurs and the professionals, and both are "attention holding" speakers.
The chapter is known for its friendliness and the interest of its members in each other. Therefore, the two social periods enjoyed before the two dinners gave everyone a chance to "chew the rag" either seriously or otherwise.
The presence of Mr. Galle gave those formulating the 1969 annual meeting of ARS at Callaway Gardens on April 20-22 a fine opportunity to get facts and make plans. Fred has used the latter and added so much to them that the meeting should be among the finest. It should attract members from every chapter of ARS. It was decided at our meeting that the Middle Atlantic Chapter would join in as a sponsor of this meeting.
The present officers and directors will continue to serve in the same capacity for the year 1968-69.