Bronze Medal Awards

CAPE COD CHAPTER
Edward H. Larson
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to present its highest honor, the Bronze Medal Award, to Edward Larson in gratitude and warm affection for your many years of service. You held the position for several years of corresponding secretary and editor of the chapter's newsletter. Your dedication to detail and accuracy could only be described as legendary. You have also willingly assisted other chapter officers behind the scenes in a clerical capacity when needed. Most recently, you have agreed to serve a term as a director of the chapter. As an early member of the chapter, over the years you have been a volunteer in many chapter activities. Your record of participation at plant sales, display garden maintenance gatherings, and other events is quite impressive. Thank you so much, Ed, for your dedication to our cause. May 19, 2002

Connie LeClair
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is happy to present its highest honor, the Bronze Medal Award, to Connie LeClair in recognition and appreciation for your many valuable contributions and unselfish service. You are primarily responsible for establishing and designing the chapter's Display Garden in the Town of Orleans. Since its birth in 1990, you have watched over your creation with tender love and care, ensuring its maintenance and design integrity as well as the acquisition of appropriate plantings. During that time, you have also acted as liaison with the Town of Orleans to oversee their cooperation in this joint venture. Your willingness to act as speaker at our chapter meetings, sometimes on very short notice, is admirable. In addition, you have filled the role of educator to your fellow members, both new and seasoned, on many occasions and in many ways. Your talents and time are very much appreciated. May 19, 2002.

Peter Moulton
The Cape Cod Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present its highest honor, the Bronze Medal Award, to Peter Moulton as a token of our high esteem for your dedicated service. You joined the chapter in its early years and you have made many contributions to its growth and prosperity since that time. You have been an active and willing participant in many of the chapter's special events such as plant sales and auctions, as well as maintenance and weeding gatherings at our Display Garden in Orleans. In addition to being an active member, you have performed the duties of chapter treasurer, membership secretary and board member for many of the years of your membership in your usual understated, skillful and meticulous manner. For this and so much more, we are extremely grateful. May 19, 2002.

GREAT LAKES CHAPTER
Virginia Delp
The Great Lakes Chapter, American Rhododendron Society, presents the Bronze Medal to Virginia Delp. Your warm welcome and accommodations are well known by all who came to visit. You fed equally the princes and the paupers of the rhododendron world. You welcomed into your home those (from all walks of life and far reaches of the world) who loved rhododendrons. Your generosity is as endless as the number of pies in your freezer. Your boundless energy is unequalled. Your plant-naming prowess is legend. Your friendship is ever a source of warmth and goodness. You kept excellent records - so good that one year the International RHS Yearbook was twice the size due to the publication of your work. While others hesitated at the detailed work required to get correct colors entered, you had two copies of the color plates. You continued to point out the great need for revision of the required color standard, a revision accomplished now through the issue of a new publication. The North American Rhododendron Society has made your records a part of the database of the Society. Even the International Registrar found it necessary to "ask Ginny" not only to complete the pedigree of a new registration, but for the parents of the parents of the parents, etc. You had it all in your computer - just as you have all of us in your heart. Your work has been a rich resource for others - researchers, authors, and also the compilers of the CDROM with extensive color images in the Third Edition of Rhododendron Hybrids. You have been the heart and soul of the whole Delp operation. We are better people because of you. In that spirit, and with grateful hearts, we ask that you remember always that God loves you - and so do we in the Great Lakes Chapter.

PORTLAND CHAPTER
John Welsh
Your leadership and enthusiastic service have greatly benefited the Portland Chapter, American Rhododendron Society, and its members. You have demonstrated a willingness to help whenever called upon. Your conscientious performance is evident on all projects undertaken. You provided outstanding leadership as co-chair of the Western Regional Conference and provided valuable service as co-registrar at the American Rhododendron Society convention and the Western Regional Conference. In addition you have served on the Portland Chapter's board for three terms and organized the Annual Awards Banquet for several years. You have spent many hours helping at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden shows and plant sales and recently accepted the position as chairman of the Friends of Crystal Springs. For these exceptional contributions the Portland Chapter is proud to award the Bronze Medal to John Welsh. June 20, 2002.

Loni Welsh
Your leadership and enthusiastic service have greatly benefited the Portland Chapter, American Rhododendron Society, and its members. You have demonstrated a willingness to help whenever called upon. Your conscientious performance is evident on all projects undertaken. You have provided outstanding leadership as co-registrar at the American Rhododendron Society Convention and the Western Regional Conference. You also provided logistical support and coordination for the Western Regional Conference. In addition, you served as the chapter's membership chairman for many years, and for the last couple of years have served as book sales chairman. You have also spent many hours helping at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden shows and plant sales. For these exceptional contributions the Portland Chapter is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Loni Welsh. June 20, 2002.

Kath Collier
You have served as editor of our superb chapter newsletter for the past eight years. Your remarkable talent has made it a most interesting and informative publication. Your efforts have produced a publication enjoyed not only by our members but one that has encouraged other chapters to become affiliated with the Portland Chapter as well. You have maintained an active interest in chapter affairs throughout your membership. You served on the chapter's board for three years. You have performed a variety of tasks at the annual Early and Mother's Day Shows, which included providing invaluable assistance to the chairman at four large shows and one early show, serving as recorder, demonstrating the use of rhododendrons in flower arrangements, and making table decorations for the annual Awards Dinner. You have also on many occasions helped run the rhododendron booth at the large Portland garden shows. For these outstanding contributions the Portland Chapter is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Kath Collier. June 20, 2002.

SCOTTISH CHAPTER
Hamish I. T. Gunn
You are the Senior Member of the Scottish Rhododendron Society and have undoubtedly been so for a long time. You were a founder member of the Society and have served on the Council of the Society since its very beginnings. In 1984 you succeeded the late Dr. McKenna to become our second president and served over our formative years until 1990 by which time our Society had grown to its present position. You have always been available to give wise advice, not only in a horticultural capacity, but also from your wide legal knowledge as a practicing solicitor. We marvel at the quality of the plants you produce from what you have described as a "postage stamp" sized town garden. You have exhibited every year at our Annual Show and also at the Glasgow Shows which antedated the S.R.S. When we cannot find you in Edinburgh we can be sure that you are fishing in a river somewhere in the North. And, your pipe will be emitting sparks and smoke like a volcano, as sometimes do the railway locomotives and racing cars that you love and with which you have shown great expertise. You are an excellent photographer and are responsible for many of the illustrations in H. H. Davidian's rhododendron monographs. You are a man of many talents not least of which is your knowledge of rhododendrons which benefits us all. The Directors are delighted to present Hamish I. T. Gunn with the Scottish Rhododendron Society's highest award, the Bronze Medal of the American Rhododendron Society, our parent body. Given at Oban this day 4th May 2002.

TUALATIN VALLEY CHAPTER
Paul & Nelda Brown
Paul has served enthusiastically as a member of the Tualatin Valley Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. We appreciate his years serving on the board of directors, and as vice president and president. He has also served with unflagging devotion as our annual plant sale chairman and has made encouraging new membership a high personal priority. Nelda has faithfully served our chapter as board member and treasurer. She has served as head cashier overseeing the banking and disbursement of the proceeds from the annual plant sales, our chapter's largest fundraiser. Her organizational skills have been evident in her management of the annual banquet and plant auctions. ogether, you have been invaluable resources to our chapter by volunteering and organizing workdays at members' gardens and by promoting and assisting with the annual flower shows. You both have also been eager to help plan, promote, and cultivate the new Rhododendron Garden in Hillsboro. For these contributions, the Tualatin Valley Chapter takes great pride in awarding the Bronze Medal to Paul and Nelda Brown. May 17, 2002.