Hybridizers of Region 9 & Region 18 Award

The Greater St. Louis Iris Society established the Hybridizers of Region 9 & 18 Award in 1988. It is a unique award given for the best iris specimen displayed (normally at our Mid-Season Show) that was hybridized by a hybridizer who resides, or resided, in either Region 9 (Illinois) or Region 18 (Kansas and Missouri). Because St. Louis is on the eastern side of the state, we have had many members from Illinois. The walnut plaque is in the shape of the State of Missouri with a fleur de lis indicating the city of St. Louis and GSLIS.

The annual winners have included the iris classifications of TB, TB-Novelty, BB, IB, MTB, SDB, Siberian, and even Japanese. This has happened because the GSLIS show committee designates the show at which the award will be given, so therefore it has included Early, Mid-Season and Late Shows.

The list of winners of the Hybridizers of Region 9 & 18 Award for the best specimen hybridized in Region 9 or Region 18 follow.

1988....Bishop's Pawn (Dale Johnson 87, SIB) Displayed by Dale Johnson
1989....Shawnee Whisper (Steve Poole 85, TB) Displayed by Riley Probst
1990....Dance Ballerina Dance (Steve Varner 83, SIB) Displayed by Louise Bellagamba
1991....Topless Dancer (Louise Bellagamba 87, TB-Nov) Displayed Louise Bellagamba
1992....Little Mary Sunshine (Elvin Roderick 90, BB) Displayed by Earl Mundy
1993....Little Mary Sunshine (Elvin Roderick 90, BB) Displayed by Riley Probst
1994....Dipped In Gold (Steve Stevens 91, TB) Displayed by Pat Williamson
1995....Everything Plus (Dave Niswonger 84, TB) Displayed by Marie Dienstbach
1996....Little Mary Sunshine (Elvin Roderick 90, BB) Displayed by Riley Probst
1997....Sunkist Delight (Dave Niswonger 95, TB) Displayed by Patrick Hayden
1998....Rick (Betty Wyss 96, MTB) Displayed by Jim Loveland
1999....Patio Rose (Louise Bellagamba 93, SIB) Displayed by Louise Bellagamba
2000....Blue Spritz (Don Delmez 96, JI) Displayed by Riley Probst
2001....Wildcat Pajamas (Dave Niswonger 96, SDB) Displayed by Doris Loveland
2002....Ruffled Sunshine (Jim Hedgecock 91, TB) Displayed by Evelyn Sovar
2003....No Award
2004....Ruffled Sunshine (Jim Hedgecock 91, TB) Displayed by Evelyn Sovar
2005....Somewhat Quirky (Riley Probst 01, MTB) Displayed by Riley Probst
2006....No Award
2007....Goddess Of Blue (Dave Niswonger 96, IB) Displayed by Richard Hill
2008....Honey Cat (Jean Morris 06, SDB) Displayed by Jean & Jim Morris
2009....Ozark Rebounder (Barbara Nicodemus 03, TB) displayed by Robin Gosnell
2010....Where Eagles Dare (Calvin Helsley 95, SIB) displayed by Jean & Jim Morris
2011....'Serene Song' (Jean Morris 2001, IB) displayed by Cindy Rust
2012....'China In Springtime' (Dave Niswonger 2008, Spec-X) displayed by Jean & Jim Morris

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