“illinois irisarian”€¦ · illinois irisarian spring 2013 greetings to all irisarians within...
TRANSCRIPT
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN SPRING 2013
“ILLINOIS IRISARIAN” AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY,
REGION 9 Issue 2013-001 Spring 2013
Visit our website at:
WWW.AISREGION9.COM
Greetings to all Irisarians within
the “Land of Lincoln”
‘Emma’s Laughter’ (Steve Poole 2008) TB
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 2 SPRING 2013
“The Garden has two very important purposes: 1. It produces vegetables for the body, and 2.
It produces flowers for the Soul.” Steve Poole
Garden photo by Ginny Spoon,
Winterberry Gardens,
Cross Junction, Va.
Garden photo by Ginny Spoon,
Winterberry Gardens,
Cross Junction, Va.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 3 SPRING 2013
“ILLINOIS IRISARIAN” TABLE OF CONTENTS/PHOTO CREDITS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents 3
Photo Credits 3
RVP Comments 4
Region 9 Officers 5
Region 9 Committees 6
Mail Pouch Tobacco, Steve Poole 7-8
Master Gardener’s Day, Crawford
County-Steve Poole 9-10
Region 9 Spring Meeting 11
Book Review, “A Guide to Bearded
Irises” 12
Region 9 Affiliate Calendars 13-14
Region 9 Training Opportunities 15
Region 9 July 28, 2012 Meeting
Minutes 16-19
PHOTO CREDITS
Front Cover-Steve Poole
Inside front cover—Ginny Spoon
Page 3—Anita Moran
Page 3—AIS Encyclopedia
Page 4-Dave Kelly
Page 8-Steve Poole
Pages 9-10—Dave Miller
Back Cover—Steve Poole
FUTURE AIS CONVENTIONS
April 15-20, 2013, Dallas, Texas
April 5-10, 2014, Dallas, Texas
May 25-30, 2015, Portland, Oregon
You can find out more about these up-
coming AIS National Conventions by vis-
iting the AIS Website. You can also refer
to the latest edition of the AIS Newsletter
(Irises). If you can fit them into your
schedule, plan to attend a National AIS
Convention.
‘Sheer Excitement’ (Tasco 2012)
BB ‘Little Drummer Boy’ (A & D Willott 1997)
MDB Caparne-Welch Medal 2005
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 4 SPRING 2013
This is the first written article I have prepared
since being elected AIS Region 9 Vice President
last fall. I will give just a little background about
myself. I live In Pekin, Illinois and am married to
Margaret Kelly, past RVP of Region 9. I am a
native of Erie, Pennsylvania and am retired from
Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL.
I am a member of Grace Methodist Church in
Pekin and am one of two cameramen who video
our Sunday services. We then spend Monday
mornings editing the video from our two video
cameras. These services are shown on the local
cable channel three times a week. I enjoy taking
still pictures as well.
I am a member of the Prairie Iris Society. I have
had the opportunity to attend the National Iris
Conventions in Madison Wisconsin and Ontario,
California and plan to attend the National AIS
Convention in Dallas, Texas, April 15-20, 2013.
I invite you to take the opportunity to participate
in the many activities sponsored by our local so-
cieties as well as activities sponsored by Region 9
of the American Iris Society. As web master, I
challenge you check out our web site
www.aisregion9.com, to get all the information
on coming events for both the local societies and
the region and to enjoy pictures of past events.
Let’s begin with our AIS Region 9 Spring meeting
which will be held on Saturday April 6 in Roches-
ter, Illinois. Our day will start with fellowship
and coffee, continue with a business meeting;
plant auction (each member brings a plant to auc-
tion); potluck lunch; and end with a book signing
“A Guide to Bearded Irises” Cultivating the Rain-
bow for beginning and enthusiasts by Kelly Nor-
ris. Kelly is the editor for our national bulletin of
the American Iris Society “Irises”. He is the first
horticulture manager at the Greater Des Moines
Botanical Garden, a new botanical garden forming
around a former municipal facility in Des Moines,
Iowa. Following the book signing, Kelly will
give the program "Borderline Crazy - Sorting
Out Intermediate and Border Bearded Irises.”
All are invited to this presentation. Judges will
receive two hours of credit toward judge certifica-
tion.
Our local societies have planned programs around
iris education plus iris shows and public iris sales.
There will be two different in the garden judging
programs; again; all are invited to attend. The
first garden will be Brian and Carol Davis’s in
Champaign – specializing in median irises. The
second garden will be Steve Poole’s in Eldorado –
specializing in Louisiana Irises.
Next, comes our AIS Region 9 Fall Meeting Sat-
urday August 10 at the Washington Park Botani-
cal Garden of the Springfield Park District. We
will need help with set up on Friday afternoon at
the Botanical Garden. Then, all are encouraged to
join us for dinner at the Golden Corral in Spring-
field and a get together in the evening sharing Iris
experiences, pictures, and slides. Starting Satur-
day morning at 8AM, irises will be arriving at the
garden for the public iris sale, 10AM is the busi-
ness meeting, silent auction of new introductions
will take place all morning, lunch at noon, and our
public iris sale begins at 1PM and runs through
4PM.
I hope you will take the opportunity to attend
some of the planned activities we have discussed.
Over the next three years, I hope to make a visit to
each of the affiliated societies in Region 9,
whether it is to a meeting, sale, or picnic. Please
feel free to contact me at (309) 347-8561 home,
cell 309 840 2468, or e mail at [email protected].
Have a great bloom season! Dave
Greetings
From your Regional Vice
President
Dave Kelly
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 5 SPRING 2013
Region 9, American Iris Society Officers
Region 9 RVP: David Kelly Asst RVP: Margaret Kelly
1708 Holiday Drive 1708 Holiday Drive
Pekin, Illinois 61554 Pekin, Illinois 61554
309-347-8561 309-347-8561
[email protected] [email protected]
Secretary: Debra Miller Treasurer: John Bilski
61 Laconwood 9127 Wedgewood Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62712 Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208
217-529-8014 618-398-1029
[email protected] [email protected]
AFFILIATES AND PRESIDENTS
Mid-Illinois Iris Society Ernie Henson
6401 Cedar Road
Iuka, Illinois 62849
618-822-6584
Northern Illinois Iris Society Diana Anshakov
2928 North 4425th Road
Newark, Illinois 60541
Prairie Iris Society: Jerry Wilhoit
2282 N. 350th Street
Kansas, Illinois 61933
217-948-5478
Sangamon Valley Iris Society Debra Miller
61 Laconwood
Springfield, Illinois 62712
217-529-8014
Southern Illinois Iris Society Gail Devilbiss
1253 Moonglow Road
Centralia, Illinois 62818
618-533-4705 [email protected]
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 6 SPRING 2013
COMMITTEES
By Laws: Steve Poole
775 Kaid Road
Eldorado, Illinois 62930
618-273-5992
Iris Auction and Sale: Chuck Simon
10S122 Lorraine Drive
Willowbrook, Illinois 60527
630-323-5070
Judges Training: Becky Simon
10S122 Lorraine Drive
Willowbrook, Illinois 60527
630-323-5070
Membership: Pat Hayden
604 Eller Road
Belleville, Illinois 62223
618-538-7267
Youth: Brian and Carol Davis
1405 Mayfair Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61821
217-359-3468
Webmaster: Dave Kelly
1708 Holiday Drive
Pekin, Illinois 61554
309-347-8561
Illinois Irisarian Editor: Dave Miller
61 Laconwood
Springfield, Illinois 62712
217-529-8014
Nominating: Jerry Wilhoit
2282 N. 350th Street
Kansas, Illinois 61933
217-948-5478
Immediate Past RVP: Margaret Kelly
1708 Holiday Drive
Pekin, Illinois 61554
309-347-8561
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 7 SPRING 2013
MAIL POUCH TOBACCO A Gardener's Journey (First in a Series)
by
Steve Poole
I come from a family of gardeners. On my Daddy’s side of the family, gardeners grew
both vegetables and flowers. Vegetables to feed the body and flowers to feed the soul. As
farmers and gardeners, they prided themselves on the fact their pumpkins and squashes
were bigger and more productive than their neighbor's; their tomatoes were juicier and
more flavorful; their zinnias were the most exotic; and they had the largest and most
spectacular collections of irises of anybody in the county. It seems Daddy's side of the
family had a love affair with irises.
Some of my most impressionable memories as a child of five or six years old (I was born in
1949) was of visiting Daddy's relatives during the month of May, which also happens to be
peak bloom for tall bearded irises here in Southern Illinois. During the spring time, the
children were allowed to wander throughout the yard under the watchful eye of parents,
between the rows of tall blooming irises, looking eyeball to beard at some of the most enig-
matic plants in their gardens. These were plants we had never seen, and which were
highly valued by the adults. Yes, tomato plants, the topic of adult's conversations must
have been interesting to adults, but it was the flowers that the child saw, not the future
tomatoes on the bough, that impressed a child of five or six. Wanting to have my own iris
garden, I asked Daddy to help me get one started. I received my first irises as a gift for
my eighth birthday.
Enter Helen and Rose Jordan, two sisters who were Daddy's cousins on his mother's side
(gardener's side) of the family, and incidentally who had never married. From their
Daddy, they inherited a gas station on old Illinois Route 13 located on Dead Man's Curve
(also known as Jordan's Curve), the only gas station on that highway between Harrisburg
and Marion, Illinois. It was called Dead Man's Curve because the normally straight east/
west highway made an abrupt ninety degree turn to the south on a hillside, almost directly
in front of the Jordan's store. More than one night driver lost their life on that curve.
To supplement their income the Jordan sisters stocked their little store with various craft
items which they themselves had created, such as crocheted doilies, figurines which they
had painted, oil paintings, and other items. Daddy was very fond of those cousins and we
visited them often throughout the year.
As an additional supplement to their income, Helen, being the iris lover of the two sisters,
had learned to hybridize irises from a woman who lived in Marion, Illinois, by the name
of Georgia Hinkle. Being an enterprising pair of sisters, Helen evolved the idea that they
could create vast numbers of "new" irises which no one but they possessed, and then sell
starts of those "new and different" iris seedlings to prospective customers driving by their
store, who naturally had to slow down to negotiate the curve, and frequently stopped to
view the irises during bloom season.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 8 SPRING 2013
To that end, the Jordan sisters began to plant their iris seedlings around their old barn,
down the hill slope east of their store and in the rich soil around the barn. The barn was
only a couple of hundred feet from the north side of the highway. Their endeavor proved
very fruitful. They never threw away a single iris seedling. In time, the old barn became
surrounded by thousands of iris seedlings covering some three to four acres around the
barn. As a result of the Jordan sisters' iris marketing strategy, it's probably safe to say
that they blanketed Southern Illinois with irises.
In the 1950's, before highway billboards were invented, the roofs of barns near major
highways were often rented by big companies to advertise products. The barn roof facing
the major highway was painted with the companies' advertisement. The sisters, Helen and
Rose Jordan, had rented the roof of their barn to a tobacco company. The roof of the
barn facing the highway was painted with the advertisement "Mail Pouch Tobacco". All
of my life I will remember that old barn surrounded by thousands of iris seedlings with
Mail Pouch Tobacco painted on the roof facing the highway.
In 1964, my cousin Helen went with me to Marion, Illinois, to introduce me to Georgia
Hinkle, a nationally recognized iris hybridizer and judge of the American Iris Society.
Georgia had been working a line of blue irises since the 1940's and a line of pink irises
since the mid 1950's. Because of my introduction to, and subsequent association with
Georgia Hinkle, in 1969 I became a member of the American Iris Society and the South-
ern Illinois Iris Society. In 1970, I founded my blue line of irises using the Hinkle intro-
duction of Brave Viking with her Kentucky Hills, Lazy River, Tempo, and Marion Maid.
In 1972, I founded my pink line of irises using Hinkle seedling V-3-2 and Carletta (C.
Brown, 1971). Carletta was a pink iris developed by another hybridizer in Marion, Illi-
nois, using Hinkle breeding stock. Through Georgia, I became acquainted with many of
the other AIS members and iris hybridizers across the state of Illinois.
‘Kaelin’s Lipstick’
(Steve Poole, 2009) TB
‘Abby’s Fire’
(Steve Poole 2009) TB
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 9 SPRING 2013
(above and below)
Crawford County (Robinson, Il) Master Gardeners Day, January 26, 2013.
Steve Poole at his table and presenting to the Master Gardeners.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 10 SPRING 2013
(above and below) Crawford County (Robinson, Il) Master Gardeners Day, January 26, 2013
Steve Poole presenting to the Master Gardeners.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 11 SPRING 2013
Region 9 Spring Meeting—Judges Training, Judges updates,
And other Specialized Training
Region 9 Spring Membership Meeting
Saturday April 6, 2013
Rochester Community Center, Rochester, IL
9:30 AM—Continental Breakfast
10:00 AM—Business Meeting
11:15 AM to 12:00 Noon—Potluck
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM—Plant Auction
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM—Kelly Norris Book Signing
1:30 PM—Judges Training by Kelly Norris, 2.0 hrs Credit, “Borderline
Crazy—Sorting out Intermediates and Border Bearded Irises”
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 12 SPRING 2013
A Guide to Bearded Irises:
Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts A book by Kelly D. Norris, 2012 Timber Press Books
Review submitted by Eleanor Hutchison (Reprinted with permission from the Autumn 2012 CWIS Newsletter)
How do you choose a new gardening book? Do you read the reviews, get suggestions from
friends, know the author? How about all of these? I learned a new iris book was being written
by Kelly because of the various online garden groups I belong to, so it seemed like a longer
wait than usual for the book to be published. When it was finally new off the presses, a friend
brought it along when he came to visit my garden last spring. For just a moment, I felt my face
change, much like Bilbo when he wanted the ring back! I managed to restrain myself from
snatching the book and running off with it for a few private moments! When BJ asked me to
review the book shortly after that near incident, I jumped up and down with glee! Fanning
quickly through the pages, just looking at the many lovely photos, I was reminded how very
much I do love irises, both mine and everyone else’s. And who knew the term isarian meant
‘crazier about irises than a normal person would think healthy’. I’m sooo beyond there!
An easy read, the book covers many topics, from the myths, where irises originated, how to
grow them well, and how to grow your own from seed. It has chapters of the many bearded
classes that we can grow here on the prairies, from miniature dwarf bearded, standard dwarf
bearded and up to the tall bearded irises, including recommendations on which irises to try.
I was so pleased to see many of my favourite irises were included in the book, and many more
on my ‘gasp’ list. I enjoyed reading how Kelly and his family started Rainbow Iris Farm when
he was only 15 years old. Well written in an enthusiastic, easy to read style, I could hardly put
the book down, and took so many notes that I almost wrote out the entire book! Come along for
a colourful journey, whether you’re looking for your very first iris book or you have a large col-
lection of iris books already. I highly recommend Kelly’s book. It’s on my Christmas list. I’m
hoping to get the signed copy.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kelly D. Norris is a horticulturist, plant breeder, and plantsman from Iowa. He currently is the Horticulture Man-
ager for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Kelly is the award-winning author of Iowa Gardener's Travel
Guide, the first travel guide to Iowa's public gardens and nurseries, as well as A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivat-
ing the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts. As a speaker, he has garnered national acclaim for his high-
energy, zealous presentations, leading many to name him as one of the rising stars of American horticulture.
He manages Rainbow Iris Farm (a seven-acre nursery owned by his family), edits Irises: The Bulletin of the Ameri-
can Iris Society, and serves in several leadership capacities throughout the horticulture industry. Kelly is the
youngest person to receive the Iowa State Horticultural Society's Presidential Citation, Award of Merit, and Honor
Award in the organization's 150-year history — awards that exemplify service and contributions to horticulture in
Iowa.
In 2011, he was also honored by the Perennial Plant Association with the Young Professional Award, recognizing
early contributions to the advancement of herbaceous perennials in American horticulture. Kelly's unique 10 years
of experience in the industry began at age 14 when he talked his parents into buying a nursery. In that time he's
become one of the few go-to experts on marketing horticulture to Gen Xs and Ys.
Kelly holds a bachelor's and master's degree in horticulture from Iowa State University. In his M.S. program he
studied Dirca, a genus of rare shrubs commonly known as leatherwoods. You may also be interested in the author's
own Web site, KellyDNorris.com.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 13 SPRING 2013
REGION 9 Affiliate Calendar Dates for 2013
Prairie Iris Society (PIS)
April 13, 2013 Spring Meeting-location TBA
April 13, 2013 Prairie Judges Training-Brian and Carol Davis Garden
May 25, 2013 Annual Iris Show-Lincoln Square Village-8:00 AM—Noon
August 3, 2013 Iris sale-Lincoln Square Village—9:00 AM—noon
September 21, 2013 Fall meeting-location TBA
Sangamon Valley Iris Society (SVIS)
February 22, 2013 Potluck & Planning Meeting
March 22, 2013 Siberian Iris-Chuck Simon
April 26, 2013 Selecting & Grooming Iris for Iris Show
May 11, 2013 Iris Show-Springfield Botanical Gardens
July 27, 2013 Iris Auction for members & Iris Sale for public-Springfield
Botanical Gardens
September 27, 2013 To be determined
October 25, 2013 To be determined
Northern Illinois Iris Society (NIIS)
January 20, 2013 Judges Training, “Like a Kid in a Candy Store: How to Select
the Best Tall Bearded Irises for Your Garden” Westmont Public
Library, Westmont, Il, 2:00 PM
March 17, 2013 Meeting and Program, Westmont Public Library, 2:00 PM
June 1-2, 2013 Annual Iris Show, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, Il
July 14, 2013 Iris Sale, Elmhurst Garden Walk Faire Boutique, Wilder Park,
Elmhurst, Il, 10:00 AM—4:00 PM
August 18, 2013 Summer Potluck and Plant Exchange, Ty Warner Park,
Westmont, Il, Noon.
November 17, 2013 Year end get together, location and time TBA.
Please Keep the “Illinois Irisarian” Editor and the Region 9 Webmaster
aware of all your meeting dates/changes and other pertinent information.
We are working to ensure everyone is aware of your local affiliate activities.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 14 SPRING 2013
REGION 9 Affiliate Calendar Dates for 2013
Southern Illinois Iris Society (SIIS)
April 14, 2013 Spring Meeting and Potluck, 12:30 PM, U of I Extension, Salem, Il
May 4, 2013 Combined Show with Mid-Illinois Iris Society, location and time
TBA
May 18, 2013 Garden Judges Training-Steve Poole’s Garden, El Dorado, Il
July 27, 2013 Fall Meeting and Public Sale, U of I Extension, Salem, Il
Sale—8:00 AM –12:00 Noon
Potluck—noon—bring a dish to share
Business meeting followed by members auction-1:00 PM
Mid-Illinois Iris Society (MIIS)
February 25, 2013 Meeting, 7:00 PM, Casey Township Community Center
March 25, 2013 Meeting, 7:00 PM, Casey Township Community Center
April 22, 2013 Meeting, Preparation for Show, 7:00 PM, Casey Township
Community Center
May 4, 2013 Iris Show, Time and Place TBA
August 3, 2013 Public Sale, 8:00 AM-12:00 noon, after noon Club Auction.
September 23, 2013 Meeting and Club Beardless Iris Sale, 7:00 PM, Casey
Township Community Center
October 28, 2013 Meeting, 7:00 PM, Casey Township Community Center
December 7, 2013 Christmas Party, TBA, Casey Township Community Center
Region 9, 2013 Meetings
Spring 2013 meeting, April 6, 2013, Rochester Community Center, Community Meet-
ing Room
Fall 2013 meeting, August 9-10, 2013, Washington Park Botanical Gardens, Spring-
field, Illinois
AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY NATIONAL CONVENTIONS
April 15-20, 2013 Dallas, Texas
April 5-10, 2014 Dallas, Texas
May 25-30, 2015 Portland, Oregon
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 15 SPRING 2013
Region 9 Special Events—Judges Training, Judges updates,
And other Specialized Training
Region 9 Judges Training:
GARDEN JUDGING
Intermediate, Miniature Dwarf, Standard Dwarf and Border Bearded
Saturday April 13th, 2013, 1:30-3:30PM
Prairie Iris will be sponsoring “IN THE GARDEN” Judges’ training
In the garden of Brian and Carol Davis
1406 Mayfield, Champaign, IL
Training will be conducted by Brian and Carol Davis
Two hours of training for 2 hours of education credit
Per Becky Simon, if you are not able to attend this training and need garden Judges’ train-
ing, Becky can arrange for you to get garden training. Please contact her directly at 630-323-5070.
Garden Judging-Louisiana Iris
Saturday May 18, 2013, 10:00 AM—2:00 PM
Steve Poole’s Gardens, El Dorado, Illinois
Three hours of Garden Judging of Louisiana Irises
Lunch will be Provided
Garden location:
Steve Poole’s
895 Grayson Road
El Dorado, Illinois 62930
Contact Steve at: Cell: 618-841-9670
Logan County Master Gardener
“Garden Education Day” March 9, 2013
9:00 AM—1:00 PM
Lincoln College
Lincoln, Illinois
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 16 SPRING 2013
Minutes, Region 9, American Iris Society (AIS) Meeting
July 28, 2012
Call to Order: Regional Vice President (RVP) Margaret Kelly called the meeting to order at
10:02 am. She recognized the prior RVPs – Chuck Simon, Steve Poole, Orville Dickhaut, Mel-
ody Wilhoit, Jerry Wilhoit, and Ernie Henson.
Secretary’s Report: Margaret reported the minutes were published in the newsletter and asked
for any additions or corrections. There were none. The minutes were approved as published.
Treasurer’s Report: John Bilski provided the Treasurer’s report. See attached. Chuck Simon
made a motion to approve the report. Steve Poole seconded the motion. Motion approved and
Treasurer’s report filed for audit.
Committee Reports:
Membership: Margaret reported for Patrick Hayden. There are currently 126 members in Re-
gion 9. Nine of the 126 are youth members and four are e-memberships.
Web Master: Dave Kelly asked for the activities for next year. The attendees were pleased
with the job Dave Kelly is doing.
Youth Chairman: No report.
Judge’s Training: Becky Simon reported activity reports are due August 1. There are 27
judges in Region 9 and as of today, July 28, 2012, she only had 11 reports.
Iris Sale: Chuck Simon reminded everyone of the silent auction in the back of the room. He
acknowledged and thanked those who helped advertise the public sale: Renee Burns – Illinois
Times, Dickhauts – State Journal Register, Dave Miller – State Journal Register – Who, What,
When, Chuck and Becky mailed 106 post cards. Margaret Kelly helped by contacting Master
Gardener’s in Fulton, Peoria, Mason, and Tazwell County,: Peoria Paper: and Pekin Paper.
Washington Park emailed to 300 plus. Chuck Simon said they will get addresses off of the
checks that will be written.
Nominations: Nominations for Region 9 officers are:
RVP Dave Kelly
Assistant RVP Margaret Kelly
Secretary Debra Miller
Treasurer John Bilski
Margaret asked for nominations from the floor. There were none. Ernie Henson made a mo-
tion to accept the slate of officers. Steve Poole seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 17 SPRING 2013
Reports by Affiliate Presidents:
Northern Illinois: Chuck Simon reported they went ahead with their iris show at the Morton
Arboretum even though their irises were 5 weeks early with bloom before March 27. They had
28 arrangements, 24 stalks of iris, and three laptops showing iris pictures.
Southern Illinois: Ernie Henson reported on their sale. They did not have the traffic and sold
about one fourth of what they normally sell. They made about $300.
Mid Illinois: Ernie Henson reported they will have their public sale and club auction next
week. He asked for donations for their sale.
He also reported they sponsored Garden Judge’s Training on Louisiana iris at Steve Poole’s.
They had lunch in the tent, a spectacular view, and a great program. Steve Poole will have Gar-
den Judge’s Training next year.
Prairie: Jerry Wilhoit reported they cancelled their spring iris show. He also reported their
sale was not as good as normal – about $500. Their next meeting is September 22 at Silver
Creek restaurant.
Sanagamon Valley: Debra Miller reported they cancelled their iris show in February (before
the early bloom season) because a number of members were unable to participate this year.
They are planning to resume their iris shows next year. They did well at their sale – approxi-
mately $1,000. Debra also reported Chuck Simon will be presenting a program on Siberian
Iris in October.
Old Business:
Washington Park Botanical Gardens Membership
Margaret reminded us that membership to Washington Park Botanical Gardens is $9 for a sin-
gle membership and $12 for a couple. Membership is good for admission to participating gar-
dens throughout the United States.
Approved Judges
Margaret reported the list of approved judges for 2012 is on the AIS website.
Conventions
Margaret reported the following people attended the AIS Convention in Ontario, California:
Dale and Ann Hamblin, Patrick Hemmer and his daughter, /Dave and Debra Miller, Chuck and
Becky Simon, and she and her husband, Dave. She reported that the tour gardens were spread
over miles and that the bloom season was two weeks behind.
Jerry and Melody Wilhoit attended the Louisiana Iris Convention.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 18 SPRING 2013
Judges Training
Steve Poole went ahead and hosted Louisiana Iris judging in May - earlier than scheduled be-
cause of the early bloom. The training that was scheduled for this year will be held next year
in May.
New Business:
Spring 2013 Meeting
The Spring 2013 meeting will be held Saturday April 6, 2012 at Rochester Community Center,
Rochester Illinois. We will have a potluck. Judges Training will be “Borderline Crazy – Sort-
ing Out Intermediate Bearded and Border Bearded Iris” by Kelly Norris, editor of the AIS pub-
lication “Irises”. There will also be a book signing. Since we are offering a booksigning, there
will be no speaker fee – just mileage. Des Moines to Rochester is 340 miles – round trip 680
miles at 55 cents a mile is $374. Other Regions that could possibly attend are: Region 6, 7, and
18.
Fall 2013 Meeting
Next year’s fall meeting will be August 10, 2013. The Washington Park Botanical Garden has
been reserved for that date. Margaret made the arrangement April 3rd with Alexa Potts and has
received a 2012 schedule this past week and an e-mail confirming this event.
The Hampton has given us special room rate $109.00, normally $129.00.
The agenda is:
Friday – August 9 set up silent auction and public sale
Washington Park Botanical Garden
Saturday before 10:00 am set up public sale – Washington Park Botanical Garden
10:00 am Saturday meeting at Washington Park Botanical Garden
after meeting potluck
1:00 pm Saturday public sale
Chuck Simon made a motion to approve the August 10 date. Dave Miller seconded the motion.
Motion approved.
Symposium Ballot
Margaret reminded everyone the Symposium Ballot is due September 1. Margaret told us she
had ballots if anyone needed them. The paper ballots need to be returned to her. She also in-
formed us that we could vote on-line at the AIS website.
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 19 SPRING 2013
AIS Affiliation
Margaret reported AIS Affiliation reporting will begin October and is due by November 15th.
Affiliation forms are to be completed by each President. Every Affiliate will owe the AIS $25.
2013 National AIS Convention and Louisiana Iris Convention
Next year’s National AIS Convention will be in Addison, Texas (near Dallas) April 15 – 20,
2013. There will be five gardens – one is the Dallas arboretum. The Louisiana Iris Convention
will be the two days after the National Convention.
2013 Siberian Iris Convention
Chuck Simon, President of the Siberian Iris Society reported the Siberian Iris Convention post-
poned from 2012 will be June 7, 8, and 9, 2013 .in Lansing, Michigan, Gardens that will be
participating are: Hollingsworth, Kaufman, Ensata, and Copeland. Jim Copeland will host a
fish fry.
Other
Chuck Simon thanked Margaret for her service as RVP and presented her a retired RVP pin.
Jeannette reported that she had “Basic Iris Culture” for sale for $3.00 each.
Dave Miller made a motion to give Washington Park Botanical Garden $200. Anita Stephens
seconded the motion. After discussion, Steve Poole amended the motion to $250. Anita sec-
onded the motion. Motion carried. .
Motion for Adjournment
Chuck Simon made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John Bilski seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Respectfully submitted by Debra Miller, Region 9 Secretary, February 19, 2013
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN 20 SPRING 2013
ILLINOIS IRISARIAN David Miller
Editor 61 Laconwood Drive Springfield, Illinois 62712-8727
‘Seedling JJ-17-1’ (Steve Poole 2013) Spuria
(Future name could be ‘Old Abe’)
Visit our website at:
WWW.AISREGION9.COM
Hope all of you have a GREAT Bloom Season this year!!
I am sure 2013 will be a better year.