JARS v40n4 - ARS Convention, 1987

ARS Convention, 1987
Curtis Huey, Springfield, Oregon

The Eugene Chapter, the second Chapter formed in the ARS, invites you to join members and guests in Eugene, Oregon on April 30-May 3, 1987 for the annual ARS Convention. The Eugene Chapter hosted the 1969 and 1976 Conventions. This experience will insure that the 1987 Convention is enjoyed by all who attend.

The Valley River Inn will be the Convention Center, with the Annual Flower Show to be held at the Valley River Center, a modern covered mall within walking distance of the Convention Center.

The program format includes a tour to the beautiful and rugged Oregon Coast and a visit to two gardens. A local tour includes three gardens where a variety of hybrid and species rhododendrons, dwarf and large, are grown, and a visit to a garden and nursery with an excellent collection of magnolias and companion trees. Also, you can visit three nurseries with extensive collections of rhododendrons.

Hendricks Park, a beautiful public rhododendron garden in the foothills of Eugene, is a part of one tour. Visitors to this garden comment on the beauty of the wooded setting, over-looking the City of Eugene, and the extensive collection of mature rhododendrons, azaleas and companion plants. The staff has promised to have the garden in prime shape for the Convention.

The Convention program begins on Thursday evening, April 30, with a presentation by Warren Berg on his visits to far away places, including Tibet. It continues on Friday with programs on "Establishing and Maintaining a Garden," and "The Rhododendron Collection of Dr. Carl H. Phetteplace." Harold Greer is the keynote speaker Friday evening, with a talk on "The World of Rhododendrons."

The programs on Saturday are designed to appeal to a wide range of interests. Topics include "Native Plants of the Northwest," and "Companion Plants." If your interest is azaleas, you will enjoy the presentations on evergreen and deciduous azaleas by knowledgeable speakers, followed by Don Hunter, who, some may recall, was widely acclaimed for his multiple slide presentation at the 1976 Convention. The Flower Show that follows is in an impressive site at the Valley River Center and if the weather cooperates, many trusses and plants, along with nursery exhibits, will be on display.

On Sunday, you will be attending a series of short programs of your choice on "How To," along with presentations on hybridizing. The Eugene Chapter is excited about hosting the Convention and looks forward to seeing you on April 30, 1987.