The Northern Virginia Chapter is easily accessible to ASA members living in Southern Maryland, DC
and Northern and Central Virginia. We meet 6 times a year with 4 lectures, a cutting exchange
and a plant sale. In early May we enjoy a tour of local azalea gardens. Of course, we are always happy to answer questions and discuss items of interest.
Stop by and enjoy the company of friendly people who share a passion for azaleas!
I hope that all of our members had a great holiday season and start to the new year. Down in the Tidewater area we’re experiencing strange weather with alternating between spring one day and winter the next. Hopefully the plants will be able to withstand these changes.
There has recently been a major event for the ASA. In December, the Brookside chapter disbanded. While this was unfortunate, the members of Brookside have other options for remaining within the ASA including affiliating with one of the other chapters. The Brookside members were fortunate to have two other chapters located reasonably close. To date we have had a number of former Brookside members decide to affiliate with the Northern Virginia Chapter. I’d like to welcome Vee-Vee Coleman, Richard and Ginny Mohr, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Murray, Pierre Ruffieux, Deborah Van Vechten, Mr. and Mrs. James McCeney and Margaret Vogel to the Chapter. I’d also like to welcome Mike and Debbie White as associate members and “welcome” Diane and Budne Reinke as members (they were previously associate members). We’re looking forward welcoming you at chapter activities this year.
Contributions – As a result of decisions made by the assembled members at our December meeting, the chapter has made the following contributions:
$1000 donation to the Friends of the National Arboretum to “Save the Azaleas”
$1000 donation to help fund an intern at the National Arboretum
$500 donation to Friends of the White Gardens to help support the Margaret White garden
Schedule for 2012 – Below is the schedule for the coming year. If you are able to host the cutting exchange in July, the holiday party in December or have your garden available for tours on April 29th, please contact Carolyn Beck.
Date
Event
Organization
Location
Mar 25
Meeting w/ Speaker
ASA-NV
TBD (Restaurant?)
Apr 29
Garden tours*
ASA
TBD
May 4-8
National Convention
ASA/ARS
Asheville, NC
May 19
Plant Sale
ASA-NV
Green Springs
July 15
Cutting Exchange
ASA-NV
TBD
Sept 16
Azalea Auction
ASA-NV
TBD
Oct 14
Executive Com Meeting
ASA-NV
Becks
Oct 28**
Meeting w/ Speaker
ASA-NV
TBD
Dec 2
Holiday Party
ASA-NV
TBD
**Tentative
*Dave Nanney invited all members to an open house on 29 April (the week before the national convention). We are looking at offering garden tours in conjunction with his open house. More information will follow.
Miscellaneous
Clipper– We have received many positive comments about the new look of the Azalea Clipper. The new look has resulted in additional expense to print. One way to reduce this expense is to receive the Clipper via email. If you’d like to receive it electronically, please contact Barry Sperling at bsperling@cox.net
Member Directory – Some members have indicated a desire to obtain a directory of chapter member contact information. The attendees at the annual meeting agreed this would be a good idea. We realize that portions of this information may be considered sensitive by some. Paul Beck will check with members before including their information.
Try to stay warm during the remainder of the winter. I’m looking forward to seeing you in March.
Rick
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