Greater St. Louis Iris Society Minutes
Sunday, March 27, 2011

At 2:05 p.m. the president Jim Morris called the meeting to order in the Beaumont Room of the Missouri Botanical Garden with 18 people in attendance. We began with a Power Point Program presented by Bob Bauer and John Coble of Ensata Gardens in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Bob and John specialize in growing and hybridizing Japanese, Siberian and Pseudata Irises. They include a number of new varieties in their sales catalog each year. They have developed new iris with doubled and redoubled petals and varied number of standards, falls and sepals. In addition to multiple petal counts, they have introduced new shapes, patterns and coloration. They also showed beautiful pictures of their previous stained glass business which led to their flower business.

They gave us advice on how to prepare the soil, then plant and nurture Japanese Iris and Siberian Iris, claiming they can be grown anywhere. We enjoyed their information and the lively discussion with our members and 2010 Payne Medal winner, Don Delmez. The Payne Medal for Japanese Irises was designed, and is etched and sand blasted on crystal each year by Bob and John.

At 3:55 p.m., after a pause for refreshments, Jim began the business meeting.

Secretary’s Report

Mary Broida read the minutes from February 27, 2011. Debra Pratt moved for approval, Judy Watters seconded and the motion passed.

Announcements:

1. Region 18 RVP Judy Eckhoff sent us a letter inviting us to send the name of a candidate for Region 18 sponsorship to the Fall 2011 Convention hosted by the Washington Iris Club. No one initially volunteered but Debra Pratt did so later. If selected in the all-club drawing at the Spring meeting, the winner will have registration and one night’s lodging paid for by Region 18. Another drawing will be made by Region 18 to pay for registration and two night’s lodging to the Spring 2012 Convention hosted by the Kirkwood Iris Society.

2. An acknowledgement card was received from AIS for our monetary donations in memory of Nina Dix and Rita Gormley.

Treasurer’s Report:

Judy Watters reported that between February 27 and March 27 we have had income of $44.00 and expenses of $35.25 resulting in Net Income of $8.75. Our current Balance Sheet assets are $16,418.88. Orville Dickhaut moved that we accept this report, subject to audit, Nyla Hughes seconded and motion passed.

Old Business:

1. The GSLIS Early Iris Show chaired by Jim Morris will be held in MOBOT’s Orthwein Floral Hall on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Jean Morris reported that she had not yet found a source for green show table skirts. She said we might have to buy white skirts, try to dye them, and in any case use them until we could locate affordable green ones.

2. The GSLIS Marquette High School Show will be in the school theatre lobby on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Val Mertz is Show Chairman.

3. The Median Iris Society Convention and Tour will take place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from April 14 through April 17, 2011.

4. The Kirkwood Iris Society Mini-Tour, a preview of the 2012 guest gardens, will be Saturday, May 15, 2011. This is free to all.

5. The Region 18 Convention and Tour,” Iris Heaven in 2011”, will be held in St. Joseph, Missouri, May 20-22, 2011. Registration forms are in the Region 18 Bulletins for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011.

6. This year’s AIS Convention will be in Victoria, BC, Canada from May 30 through June 4. Registration is limited to 400. The host hotel is sold out.

New Business

Our GSLIS web master, Michael Mckinney, has updated our website to include our last Newsletter, a Facebook link and all 2010 Iris Show winners. The web address is www.stlouisirises.com Michael is currently in New York, but continues to manage our site from there. Nyla Hughes moved that we pay the club membership dues for Michael and his wife. Bob Ostrem seconded and the motion passed.

Nyla Hughes moved that we donate $25.00 to the AIS General Youth Fund in memory of Laura Sturm. Orville Dickhaut seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Jean Morris thanked Rose Pohousky for iris artifact donations which will be provided to Region 18 for the Spring 2012 Convention silent auction. Nyla Hughes thanked all those who contributed to the refreshment buffet.

Door prize Winners:
 Tall Bearded: Lu Dickhaut and Judy Watters
 Medians: Ruth Ostrem and Orville Dickhaut
 Beardless: Camilla Kotrba

 Walking Iris (Neomarica, an Iridaceae): Sue Delmez
 Cannas: Mary Broida and Bob Squires
 Louisiana’s: Rose Pohousky, Bob Ostrem and Don Delmez

The Walking Iris, Canna’s and Louisiana rhizomes were donated by members and were taken home from this meeting, which was adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Broida, Secretary

Past issues (Newsletters Archive)

Return to top of page