JARS v63n1 - From the Editor

From the Editor
Sonja Nelson
Mount Vernon, Washington

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!