Bronze Medal Awards

MAINE CHAPTER

Ernest Egan

The Maine Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to present its highest award, the Bronze Medal, to Ernest Egan in recognition of his years of work for this chapter. Ernest has willingly shared his knowledge of the genus Rhododendron with all. Many of the chapter members are grateful recipients of his advice.

Ernest has been a member of the Connecticut Chapter for many years before coming to Maine and joining this chapter. Your contribution to the plant sales, your judging at the truss shows and your sharing of your vast knowledge is deeply appreciated by all. Ernest has always opened his garden to visitors. To see his many beautiful blooms has delighted the many that have passed through his garden.

We thank you again, Ernest, for all your contributions.

NANAIMO CHAPTER

Craig Clarke

The Nanaimo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society takes great pleasure in awarding the Bronze Medal to Craig Clarke. Craig's enthusiasm and willingness to contribute has been reflected in his continuous role on the executive committee, where he has served since the chapter's inception in 1992. Craig has served as president, vice-president, director and is currently the chapter secretary. As if that wasn't enough, Craig was also editor of our newsletter for six years. Craig has taken part in and helped out in virtually all of the chapter activities ranging from garden tours and picnics to truss shows and plant sales.

In recognition of his enthusiastic dedication, the Nanaimo Chapter is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Craig Clarke.

RSC NIAGARA CHAPTER

Lydia Szukis

The Rhododendron Society of Canada is honoured to present the Bronze Medal Award to one of its most deserving members, Lydia Szukis. Over the years as publicity chairman of the Niagara Chapter of the Rhododendron Society of Canada, Lydia has always been a resourceful and well-organized promoter on behalf of the Niagara members. A long-time Niagara executive member, she rarely missed a business meeting and indeed was always available to lend a hand at regular meetings. Lydia's contribution to the Niagara Chapter of the Rhododendron Society of Canada has been most significant and the Rhododendron Society of Canada has been most significant and we present this award with our grateful appreciation. July 2002.

SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER

Patricia Phillips

Patricia, you have served as both president and vice president of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. You continue to give your time and energy to make the chapter meetings more interesting and enjoyable for all who attend. This effort has resulted in an increase of attendance at many of our meetings. Our membership is proud to award Patricia Phillips our highest honor, the Bronze Medal.

John Brown

John, the newsletter that you produce while serving as our secretary continues to reflect all the work that you do each month. It is something which all of our chapter members can be very proud. You also are willing to oversee the banquet arrangements, work at our flower show and plant sales. For all these endeavors, the members of the Southeastern Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society are honored to award John Brown our highest honor, the Bronze Medal.

VANCOUVER CHAPTER

Joanne Ronsley

The Vancouver Rhododendron Society takes pleasure in awarding the Bronze Medal to Joanne Ronsley. This award recognizes Joanne's untiring spirit of teamwork and dedication over the past five years as membership chair and, in particular, acknowledges the enthusiasm with which she led the Vancouver Chapter members in the ARS Campaign 2001 to recruit new members. With Joanne as Master of our Member Ship, we raced with seventy-one other ARS chapters who began the campaign period with less than ninety-nine members. The Vancouver Chapter, with Joanne at the helm as we unfurled our sails, outpaced the others to realize the greatest growth in Society membership development during the campaign.

Joanne Ronsley, our sincere thanks for your commitment as membership chair from 1997 to 2001. The Vancouver Rhododendron Society is pleased to award the Bronze Medal, the highest award a chapter of the American Rhododendron Society can bestow, to you. Oct. 17, 2002.

Ron Feicht

The Vancouver Rhododendron Society is pleased to award the American Rhododendron Society Bronze Medal to Ron Feicht. Ron has been an invaluable member of the VRS in many ways. He served the society as treasurer, and has directed its annual spring show and sale for three consecutive years, doing so with extraordinary success. The spectacularly beautiful garden he has created is always open to members in the spring, or for that matter at any time. But his garden in recent years has had to share his time and interest with his beautiful and original work in ceramics. He has sold his ceramic works at VRS shows, and at one monthly VRS meeting each year, and is always most generous in his contributions to the VRS from proceeds of these sales. Moreover, at every meeting a Feicht pot is offered as a raffle prize, even when Ron himself cannot attend the meeting and sends it with someone else. It is always among the very first prizes to be selected by winners. Ron's sound thinking and cheerful good humour have been assets to every VRS gathering.

We are proud to present Ron Feicht the highest award possible from a chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Oct. 17, 2002.

WHIDBEY ISLAND CHAPTER

Carl "Jake" Jacobson

The Whidbey Island Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presents this Bronze Medal Award to Carl "Jake" Jacobson. The Whidbey Island Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society proudly recognizes Jake Jacobson for his contributions toward the growth and wellbeing of our chapter and for his interest in our beloved genus, Rhododendron .

Members of WIARS know Jake on a first name basis, as he is in charge of making the nametags for our chapter. When it comes to growing rhododendrons in challenging climates, Jake has the experience! For decades, he grew many of Elsie Watson's hybrids in Alaska, testing them for hardiness. Concurrently, he grew tender rhododendrons and vireyas in Hawaii. He and his wife, Peg, finally discovered the perfect growing conditions upon moving to Whidbey Island.

Jake's work with the world of rhododendrons includes hybridizing, grafting, and landscaping design. He is particularly fond of the species in subgenus Hymenanthes, and has been the driving force in the conception and creation of the Big Leaf Valley at Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens. Jake is an inspiration to others in our chapter who are involved with this project, as well as the thousands of visitors who learn about these exotic rhododendrons when they visit the Gardens each year. Jake is also a contributor to rhododendron expeditions to further the knowledge of species rhododendrons. The Whidbey Island ARS Chapter is honored by Jake's efforts in furthering the appreciation and culture of the genus, Rhododendron .

We are proud to present our chapter's highest award, the Bronze Medal, to Jake Jacobson, in recognition of his continuing support. November 20, 2002.