This past fall the members of the Hudson Valley Iris and Daylily Society (HVIDS) under the leadership of their president, Jim Robinowitz, did an outstanding job hosting the Region 2 Fall Meeting.  This was their first time serving as hosts and we greatly appreciate all their efforts in making the event a success.

 

Friday afternoon on October 2^nd AIS members from Region 2 traveled to the Holiday Inn in Fishkill, NY.  There we were greeted by members of the HVIDS as we registered.   A separate room was reserved for the Silent Auction and HVIDS members were working there logging the items onto a laptop and assisting with the placement of items on the tables.   It was nice seeing everyone socializing with fellow irisarians while nibbling on refreshments provided by our hosts.  All too soon it was time for the banquet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banqueters recognizing a nice evening!

 

As a change of pace we had an opening banquet instead of a closing one.   Following the tasty buffet, Jim Robinowitz  presented Region 2 with a certificate from the Town of Fishkill proclaiming the weekend as “Iris Weekend” in the Town of Fishkill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim presenting Vaughn with the certificate.

 

In the absence of the Region 2 Exhibitions Chairperson, Judy Tucholski-Zon , Region 2 RVP Vaughn Sayles assisted by Dorothy Stiefel presented the Region 2 Show Awards and the Conroe Award.

 

The Region 2 Show Awards and winners for 2009 were:

1.      Peckham Award (Historic Iris) – David Baehre for ‘Pink Haze’

2.     Blenis Award (Tall Bearded Iris) – Ella Murphy for ‘Diversion’

3.      McGarvey Award (Beardless Iris) – Donna James for ‘Oriental Elegance’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna with McGarvey Award

4.      Magdalen Award (Median Iris) – E.J. Mattson for ‘Dividing Line’ an MTB.

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EJ with the Magdalen Award

 

The 2009 Region 2 Conroe Award went to Anna Rettig (see page 21).   Anna’s daughter, Maria Gerbracht accepted the award for her.  Anna is a long time Japanese iris advocate who has mentored several generations of irisarians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maria accepting her Mom’s Conroe Award

 

The banquet and awards program were followed by a presentation by our featured speaker for the weekend, iris hybridizer Stephanie Markham of Toadland Gardens, Norfolk, Massachusetts.  Stephanie provided an informative and colorful presentation on Miniature Tall Bearded iris and results of her hybridizing efforts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie checking her notes.

 

The final bids for the Region 2 Silent Auction concluded Friday evening.   The auction was a resounding success thanks to the efforts of the HVIDS.  In addition to the usual plants and iris “stuff” members of the HVIDS obtained gift certificates for a number of items that were quite valuable.   Members of HVIDS also did an outstanding job tabulating the winning bids which was greatly appreciated by Creative Money Chairperson, Millie Horak.  The auction raised $714.00.

 

The Region 2 General Membership Meeting on Saturday morning was well attended.  Special thanks go to Sylvia Borglum for filling in as Secretary.   We were then treated to a nice lunch by the HVIDS.  After lunch members headed home or attended Stephanie Markham’s Judges Training session on Miniature Tall Bearded Iris.

 

The Region 2 Fall Meeting was enjoyable and productive. Thanks to those who attended and/or donated auction items. Special thanks go to the members of HVIDS for all they did to make the weekend a success.