Bronze Medal Awards

ANN ARBOR CHAPTER

Jan Grichor

The Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society proudly presents its highest award, the Bronze Medal, to Jan Grichor for her active participation in founding and developing the chapter during the first eight years of its existence. With her husband, Ron Gibala, she hosted the organizational meeting of the Ann Arbor Chapter in their home on Sept. 2, 1992. She was the original secretary/treasurer and could always be counted on to do what needed to be done. She organized several field trips, conducted a census of extra beds and opened her home to members traveling long distances for meetings, held many plant sales at her home, tended rhododendrons waiting to be picked up, sometimes transporting them herself, and kept the founder's library for five years so members could have access to it while the owner was out of the region. For her years of outstanding contributions the Ann Arbor Chapter is honored to present the Bronze Medal to Jan Grichor on this 19th day of May 2001.

Marie Cochrane

The Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society proudly presents its highest honor, the Bronze Medal, to Marie Cochrane for her outstanding service in building the chapter. She served as membership chairman from 1993 to 2001 more than doubling the membership. Her contacts through other activities in the gardening arena brought many people to the awareness and use of rhododendrons in Southeastern Michigan. Marie has been hostess for most of our meetings always looking out for visitors and new members. She was instrumental in creating the winter plant survey and organized several spring Plants for Members sales at her home. For her devoted service to the Ann Arbor Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, the chapter is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Marie Cochrane on this 19th day of May 2001.

CASCADE CHAPTER

Donald Smart

The Cascade Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents the Bronze Medal to a most honored member, Donald Smart. In recognition of your contributions to our chapter and to the genus Rhododendron , the Cascade Chapter wishes to honor you with the award of the Bronze Medal. You have served as board member, vice president, and then president. In all these positions you have shown knowledge, leadership and understanding, keeping the best interests of both our chapter and its members in mind. Always a willing and enthusiastic volunteer, you give unstintingly of your time and talents in service to the chapter. You have often provided that special plant from your own garden to add extra interest to our local chapter meetings. You and your helpmate, Carolyn, have worked tirelessly at the chapter's annual flower shows and plant sales and have actively participated in other local projects, such as Nursery Days and Farmers' Markets, where information is distributed to the general public regarding our chapter and rhododendron culture. Another of your major contributions to the Society and our chapter is in your skill as a programmer and webmaster. In this capacity you are responsible for co-developing a new web page for the Society. In addition, you have developed and are placing into service a new web page for our chapter. The Cascade Chapter wishes to say thank you. June 2001.

MIDDLE ATLANTIC CHAPTER

F. Raymond Brush

The Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents to F. Raymond Brush this Bronze Medal Award in recognition of his active participation and service to the chapter for many years. Ray and Betty Brush came to us on Ray's retirement from the American Association of Nurserymen where he had been corporate secretary. He had also been active in the International Plant Propagators Society. He is a horticultural graduate of Michigan State University. Ray and Betty have been active in the chapter, holding offices of secretary and treasurer at various times and with Ray holding the office of treasurer for many years. Ray computerized chapter membership, financial and budget records for greater ease of handling and understanding. For this and his other contributions to our meetings and society, we present this, our chapter's highest honor. April 21, 2001.

SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER

Denise Stelloh

The members of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society present its highest honor to Denise Stelloh for years of dedication and talents contributed to our chapter. Denise has willingly and ably chaired our annual truss show in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and is again making plans for a splendid show on April 28th of 2001. Denise brings an artistic touch to the show, making it more than a show, enhancing it to an event of great beauty and fine presentation. Denise, we thank you for your dedication and hard work.

Bob Stelloh

The members of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society present its highest honor to Bob Stelloh for talent and service contributed to our chapter. Bob has served the chapter in a wide variety of activities. Bob works with the Rhododendron Display Garden at Blue Ridge Community College. Bob is an active participant in the chapter's Native Azalea Study Group. Bob serves as our treasurer, not only keeping the chapter's finances and records in order but always willing to bring his money box (tackle box) and act as cashier at various sales and events. Bob retains his composure even when members bombard him with checks, large bills and handfuls of loose change. Bob, we thank you for the expertise and dedication you bring to our chapter.

Bob and Denise contribute as individuals and as a unit working together. Each spring they open their personal garden to all comers, and are delighted to give each visitor the grand tour. Bob and Denise are generous with their time and with plant material, happy to contribute cuttings from their expansive azalea collections to azalea fanciers who admire a particular leaf, bloom or shrub. Not many years ago, Bob and Denise moved their plants, large and small, from Maryland to their Hendersonville home, unwilling to leave their fine garden specimens to an uncertain future without their care. Their collection of sizable Japanese maples is beautiful and educational. And their large western azalea R. occidentale is an exotic visitor which thrives under their special care. Bob and Denise, we are delighted to know you and have you in our midst.

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CHAPTER

Dr. Philip Laucks

Phil, you have been active in chapter affairs throughout your membership in the Susquehanna Valley Chapter. You are a life member of the American Rhododendron Society and a member of this chapter since 1984. You have served as vice-president, director, and chairman of the Truss Show Committee. You have been a dependable and enthusiastic promoter of the chapter and its activities. You have served as director of the chapter for seven years. You have been generous with your time by participating and helping out with the activities of numerous committees including the Awards Committee and the Plant Sale Committee. Phil, you have participated in the chapter's truss show not only as a member of the committee but also as chairman for three years. You have consistently helped to promote the genus Rhododendron by exhibiting in the show, receiving the ribbons for Best Azalea in the show in 1994 and the Best Rhododendron in the show in 2000 as well as numerous other ribbons. You have generously opened your garden to visits and tours and have traveled extensively in central Pennsylvania visiting gardens and using the opportunity to promote the good of the chapter. In recognition and appreciation, the chapter is proud to present this medal, the chapter's highest award on this 27th day of October 2000.

Dr. Marvin Keagy

Marv, you have been a member of the American Rhododendron Society longer than any other person in this chapter. You are a charter member of this chapter and have served as a director for six years with ongoing service in that capacity. Marv, you have been active in chapter affairs throughout your membership in the Susquehanna Valley Chapter. You have been an active promoter of the American Rhododendron Society, this chapter and its activities. You have faithfully served on many committees including staffing chapter booths at the York Flower and Garden Show and the Garden Expo in Mechanicsburg. You are currently serving as banquet chairman and are participating in raising plants for sale by the chapter. A participant in the chapter's truss show for many years, you have won numerous ribbons for trusses you have exhibited. You have allowed your house and garden to be used as a venue for board meetings and you have also generously opened your garden to visits and tours by members. You have traveled extensively in central Pennsylvania visiting gardens with other members and used the opportunity to promote the good of the chapter. In recognition and appreciation, the chapter is proud to present this medal, the chapter's highest award on this 27th day of October 2000.

William Hersh

Bill, you have been active in chapter affairs throughout your membership in the Susquehanna Valley Chapter. You are a charter member of the chapter and have served as president, treasurer, director, and chairman of the Truss Show Committee, the Hospitality Committee, and the Membership Committee. You have been a dependable and enthusiastic promoter of the chapter and its activities. You have frequently extended yourself far beyond what was required in your duties in order to enhance the activities of the chapter and keep the community aware of these activities. You have conducted programs at chapter meetings, and organized and staffed chapter booths at the York Flower and Garden Show and the Garden Expo in Mechanicsburg. You have participated in the chapter's truss show and, most importantly, have been the key contact in obtaining our truss show judges. Because of your knowledge and appreciation of the genus Rhododendron , you have been asked to judge at the shows of neighboring chapters. You have reliably been the contact and facilitator for the chapter's many meetings at Saint Mark Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg. You have generously opened your garden to visits and tours and have traveled extensively in central Pennsylvania and used theopportunity to promote the good of the chapter. In recognition and appreciation, the chapter is proud to present this medal, the chapter's highest award on this 16th day of October 1998. [The award has not previously been published.]

Raymond Miller

Ray, in the years you have been a member of the Susquehanna Valley Chapter, you have given generously and enthusiastically of your time, energy and considerable horticultural talent. You have worked consistently to make this chapter a success. You are a charter member of this chapter and have served as director and as publicity chairman. You have also served as a valuable member of the Truss Show Committee and as a regular participant in many chapter activities. You have participated in the chapter's truss show and won many ribbons for your efforts. You well represented the chapter at several conventions, and at Williamsburg in 1988 you won Best in Class for a Seed Exchange seedling in the truss show. You have created a garden, well known in the Hanover area, and populated it with many rhododendron hybrids and species including seedlings grown from the ARS Seed Exchange. You have generously opened your garden to visits and tours by groups and individuals from this and other chapters and have shared your plant material with all who expressed an interest. In recognition and appreciation, the chapter is proud to present this medal, the chapter's highest award, on this 21st day of March 1999. [The award has not previously been published.]

TACOMA CHAPTER

Fred & Ann Whitney

The Tacoma Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to present the Bronze Medal to Fred and Ann Whitney for your willingness to participate in any chapter undertaking and giving freely and generously of your time and considerable talents. Promoting the Tacoma Chapter and the genus locally, regionally and internationally, you are ambassadors of goodwill. Serving as president of the Tacoma Chapter on two separate occasions, a total of four years, and as president of the Rhododendron Species Foundation, you have provided both with capable leadership, direction and personal commitment. Always available to help with chapter activities, sharing interesting travel programs and thoughtfully providing support to your fellow members, together you have provided strength to the chapter. You have considerably enhanced our chapter's annual spring show by offering new ideas and donating the time and expense associated with constructing the fabric covers for the display and trophy stands. This award is presented as an expression of the Tacoma Chapter's appreciation and of personal thanks for your efforts. By unanimous decision of the Board of Directors. May 9, 2001.

Stuart Imrie

The Tacoma Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to present the Bronze Medal to Stuart Imrie for having shared generously with plant material, your knowledge and love of the genus. A nurseryman at a high level of excellence, you have done considerable to promote our society—sharing your extensive knowledge, always available to conduct tours of your display garden and soliciting new members. Our annual spring show has been enhanced by the exceptional quality of your rhododendron landscape exhibits. Your generous donation of plants for chapter sales and other activities has provided financial support and also made superior rhododendron forms available to our members. You do much to enrich our chapter meetings providing information and leading discussions. This award is presented as an expression of the Tacoma Chapter's appreciation and of personal thanks for your efforts. By unanimous decision of the Board of Directors. May 9, 2001.

WHIDBEY ISLAND CHAPTER

Mel and Marilynn Wright

The Whidbey Island Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to recognize Mel and Marilynn Wright for their contributions toward the growth and well being of our chapter and for many years of dedicated service. Marilynn has performed the difficult duties as our secretary/treasurer for three years, collected money at every plant sale and meeting and spent many hours balancing the books. Mel has willingly volunteered for many chapter projects including garden tours, plant sales, and building birdhouses and the flower truss stands. In addition, they have been faithful and tireless volunteers at Meerkerk Gardens; chairing committees, selling plants, promoting rhododendrons, and doing general volunteer activities. We are proud to present our chapter's highest award, the Bronze Medal, to Mel and Marilynn in recognition of their continuing support.