New York Chapter

     American Rhododendron Society

             President:  Jim Fry

New York Chapter

     American Rhododendron Society

             President:  Jim Fry

Sunday, February 21st

2PM, Membership Meeting

Main Greenhouse, Planting Fields Arboretum

Speaker:   Dick Murcott

Following our customary practice for February Chapter Meeting programs, we will again draw on the considerable talents of own membership, in this case Dick Murcott. Needing no introduction, Dick is a venerable figure among hybridizers and growers of rhododendron on Long Island. Always an animated and engaging speaker, he will 'bring to life' the contributions of some of the earliest and most influential personalities in this field - providing an historical prospective on Long Island's legendary hybridizers."

Refreshments

For this meeting:

Z-F

It would be greatly appreciated if members with last names beginning with the above letters provide the refreshments for this meeting.

Jim speaks his mind

              The January meeting was attended by 30 people who were a little disappointed to find out that our speaker was ill and could not make the meeting.  After much futzing with my laptop and the digital projector, Vinnie Simeone lent us the park’s laptop and projector so we could view a DVD made by Wing Fong of the late Bill Zurich’s garden.  “Absolutely spectacular” came from the lips of many viewers.

              I’ve been notified by Planting Fields that the windows in the Green House classroom have been painted!  Now we can see the slide shows without Mr. Sun reeking havoc on the screen. 

2010 Convention

              The Convention is quickly approaching.  While it is still winter (and cold!) the various committees are keeping busy with all those things that go by unnoticed by most of us:  The plant sale data sheets are being compiled, the attendee name tags are being designed and made ready for printing, attendee lists and databases are being added to,              the plant sale room is being mapped out for the most efficient means of displaying plants, the website is being updated almost daily with new information for attendees, convention pins are being designed & ordered, the plant sale slide show is under way, and a lot of praying is going on for a good turn-out.

              If you haven’t been involved yet, don’t despair.  You will be.               

See you at the meeting,

Jim Fry

Get Well Soon!

One of our long-time members, Patricia Brack, has been hospitalized with a very serious illness.  We hope that she is able to make a speedy and complete recovery. 

You’re Invited – New York Chapter Luncheon

Please take note of the new date!

Taking last year’s ‘rave reviews” into consideration, we have scheduled the March Membership Meeting at the Irish Coffee Pub located at 131 Carleton Avenue, East Islip on March 14, 2010 from 12:30 PM until 4:00 PM.  We will once again enjoy a formal sit down lunch, at a cost of $35.00 per person, which will include an appetizer, salad, choice of one of three entrees, dessert and coffee.  We will be in the Tipperary private dining room, which you may access from the parking lot.  Right outside the Tipperary Room is the bar where you may purchase alcoholic beverages, wine or soft drinks of your choice on a cash basis.

Please send your check, payable to “ARS – New York Chapter”, before February 28th to Marianne Feller, 88 Old Field Road, Old Field, NY 11733.

Do come and join for us for a celebration of Spring. 

If you can bring a rhododendron in bloom on this early Spring date, a “special green prize” will be awarded.  No forcing permitted!

Hope to see you all there!

Marianne & Bruce Feller

New Member

June Stoyer, Wantaugh, NY

2009-2010 Schedule

2/21/10   Sunday, 2 PM Membership Meeting, Speaker: Dick Murcott

3/14/10             Sunday, 12:30 PM, Annual Luncheon, Irish Coffee Pub

4/20/10             Tuesday, 6 PM  Early Flower Show & Members’ Reception

May 14-17, 2010  ARS Convention, Islip, NY

Please note: The next newsletter will be for the April 20th Early Flower Show

Join the NY Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society:  Become a member of the ARS. On a piece of paper put your name, address with zip code, phone number, e-mail if you have it, and name of spouse. Send it with a check for $40 made out to ARS-NY Chapter to Marianne Feller, 88 Old Field Road, Old Field, NY 11733-1646