This will be my last issue of the Journal as editor. When I took over from the previous
editor, Adele Jones, I never would have believed it would be seventeen years later that I
would hand the job over to the next editor, but so satisfying has been the job and so
pleasurable the immersion in the ARS that I stayed, and stayed. Now it is time for me to
let go and give the next lucky person a go at it. This person is the highly qualified Dr.
Glen Jamieson of Parksville, BC, about whom you will learn more as you read his article in
this issue.
I remember at my first convention (in Oakland, CA), I had a dream that I had rhododendron
branches growing out of me, a prescient dream indeed, for the genus has become a part of my
life. I have often thought one could get lost in this genus. However, it has not only been
these plants that beckoned to me but also, and really more importantly, the people who love
them, which brings me to the people part of the ARS.
I have so many people to thank I hardly know where to begin. Well, not entirely true, for at
the top of my list is the chair of the ARS Editorial Committee, Dr. Sandra McDonald, who has
unstintingly guided me all these years. The two other current members of this committee, Don
Voss and John Hammond, have also been stalwart supporters of the Journal and wise advisors
in their own right. I thank them profoundly. Jay Murray also stands up there as an indispensable
guide. The list hardly ends here though. A group of unsung heroes and heroines to thank are the
journal technical reviewers (Ken Cox, Harold Greer, Steve Hootman, Stephen Krebs, G. David Lewis,
Erik Nilsen, Jay Murray, Herb Spady, Bob Ticknor, Kathy Van Veen, Don Voss and Mark Widrlechner).
These are the people who plow through scientific papers to ready them for publication, using
expertise I unfortunately lack.
Then there are all the ARS presidents and other ARS officers to thank, all of whom have given
incredible support to the Journal. Neither can I forget to thank our three executive directors
during my tenure: Barbara Hall, Dee Daneri and Laura Grant.
I'm saving the best 'til last - that's you! Yes, all you authors and photographers out there
contribute the guts of the journal. All I have done is put it together. Truly, you are the journal
and I know you will give Glen the support that you have given me. I thank you all!