Bronze Medal Awards
MIDWEST CHAPTER
Bronze Medal: Tom Horner
For your thirty-five years 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 presents to you, Tom Horner, the Bronze medal on this July 28th 2007 date.
PILCHUCK CHAPTER
Bronze Medal: Barbara Blankenship
The Pilchuck Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal, 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 - 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 for our ticket sales and auctions at our 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.
TORONTO CHAPTER
Bronze Medal: Willem Anton Morsink
The Rhododendron Society of Canada was very fortunate and pleased to have Bill 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 endeavour is a new, innovative and unique "airlayer-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.