Noyo Chapter American Rhododendron Society

October 2020 Happy All Hallows Eve

President’s Message

As you will notice this month’s newsletter is different than those of the past.

Since the Covid19 pandemic started, the world around us has changed drastically. Mendocino County issues health orders and restrictions based on guide lines from State and Federal Governments. As a chapter with a large membership we have not been allowed to meet or assemble as we have in the past. The future months ahead are unclear as to when we might be able to meet in person again.

With all of that said, my goal along with the Board of Directors is to establish a method of purpose and also communication within our chapter. I spoke with Tim Walsh our ARS Regional Director, about National ARS guidance. Our chapter by-laws do not allow elections of new officers until April. Since there were no meetings after March, the current officers and directors will continue until an election can be held in person, if they choose to do so. If not, our Noyo Chapter By-laws allow for the President to fill vacant positions by appointment.

Each Chapter is working on keeping things functioning during troubled times. One answer is to network and share information with other chapters. Another idea is to enhance our Noyo News with more information beneficial to our members. The first effort in achieving this goal is to make our newsletter more informative! It is our main form of communication with all members and we hope you will have some fun perusing it. In order to reach our goals, the Board and LeeAnn, our newsletter editor, is seeking comments about this newsletter and what you our valuable chapter members would like to see in it.

Thank you and stay well Ted

Membership News As we all reassure ourselves, we are so lucky and blessed to live in this beautiful part of the country. We are also fortunate to be members of the American Rhododendron Society. I hope to give you here some information about our member benefits. We receive a wonderful quarterly journal every three months from ARS. You will receive a print copy or if you choose, you could have access to the online electronic version at the OARS website www.arsoffice.org. To view the online journal you need to register a personal name and password at https://www.arsoffice.org/jars/toc1.asp. Archived issues of ARS back to 1947 are available. Check with me if you are interested in that. Local newsletter: “Normally” this would give you information on upcoming meetings. As that is on hold for a while, you will find a variety of other things in our chapter newsletter. As a member, you are also invited to National and International meetings. The next national meeting will be in Portland in May of 2022. Seed Exchange: Seeds collected by ARS members are offered for sale from February till May every year. Ted and I started lots of seeds this year, what a process !!! They are still growing. ARS Website : Plant care information, a searchable database of Rhododendron and azalea species and hybrids, a searchable list of Rhododendron nurseries, good performer lists, access to the Rhododendron International electronic journal, the ARS blog and more can be found at the ARS website www.rhododendron.org. ARS Store: The ARS store offers a variety of items including books, garden tools and accessories, gift cards and items with the ARS logo. Thanks to all who have sent in their renewals so promptly. It REALLY helps with paperwork and we appreciate it. Questions ??? Call Fran 357-1064 P.S. The first renewed member: Devon Billings Thanks Devon! Any questions call Fran at 707 964-6896.

Garden Tip of the Month by Dennis McKiver. Now is the time to groom your rhododendron buds and branches without buds to create large beautiful single blooms and sprays to enter in our show.

before after

“ We may think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.” Jenny Uglow, British Historian Rhodies for Sale Dennis McKiver still has about 20 established nice rhododendrons for sale in 5 gallons at $20. each. Contact Dennis before heading his way to purchase. Please text or call Dennis first before you head out: 707- 813-8383 All plants are located at Dennis’ house: 32530 Forest Lane, Fort Bragg

Coming Soon! More Rhodies Dennis is getting a big shipment from Oregon the first part of November. We will announce a One Day Sale when they arrive! 1 Yellow Hammer, 1 R. fimbriatum, 3 Kabarett, 2 Tall Timber, 1 Cunningham’s White, 1 Black Magic, 1 Molly Ann, 2 Jean Marie , 1 compacta, 1 Peppermint Twist, 1 Cotton Candy

Pruning Class Dennis has offered to give anyone a one-on-one pruning class. There is still time to get some expert advice! Please contact Dennis at the number above to arrange a meeting. Make sure to call Dennis to make an appointment at 707-813-8383

Noyo Chapter Newsletter is published monthly except when it is not. We love members to submit items, articles, photos and interesting tidbits. Please send them along to LeeAnn Dickson, Newsletter Editor at [email protected]. The Noyo Chapter is a member of the American Rhododendron Society a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. http://www.noyochapterars.com/

Help Wanted We need a computer savvy person to help with our website. Anyone interested in taking on this very part-time job, please contact Fran for more info.

2021 ARS Annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show Plans are in the works for hosting a show for 2021. More details as they evolve. Exciting!

Plant of the Month! Orangeade

Flower/Truss Description:

Flower wavy-edges, 2⅛" to 3⅓" across

pale orange with golden-orange blotch.

Ball-shaped truss with 8-11 flowers.

Noyo Chapter Officers and Chairs

*President: Ted Steinhardt 964-6896 [email protected] *V President: Dennis McKiver 813-8338 [email protected] Interim Secretaries: Robert and Nancy Jorgensen 734-4321 [email protected] *Treasurer: Ben Nicholson 961-6193 [email protected] *Directors: Ken Jones 964-0495 --- Devon Billings 937-0710 [email protected] Pam Rivette 734-3595 Fran Steinhardt 964-6896 [email protected] Show Chair: Kathe and Tom Charters 964-7759 [email protected] Membership: Fran Steinhardt 964-6896 [email protected] Hospitality: Rosalie Stanley 367-0720 [email protected] Plant Raffle: Cleo Bailey 367-0720 [email protected] Editor: LeeAnn Dickson 916-412-3233 [email protected] *indicates Board of Directors

Traditional American Traditional Irish Traditional Cornish

And because of the season and per our friends at Wikipedia jack-o'-lantern is a carved pumpkin, turnip, or other root vegetable lantern[1] associated with Halloween. Its name comes from the phenomenon of a strange light flickering over peat bogs, called will-o'-the- wisp or jack-o'-lantern. The name is also tied to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way. Jack-o'-lanterns are a yearly Halloween tradition that came to the United States from Irish immigrants.[2] In a jack-o'-lantern, the top of the pumpkin or turnip is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image—usually a scary or funny face—is carved out of the rind to expose the hollow interior. To create the lantern effect, a light source, traditionally a flame such as a candle or tea light, is placed within before the lid is closed. However, artificial jack-'o-lanterns with electric lights are also marketed. It is common to see jack-o'-lanterns on doorsteps and otherwise used as decorations prior to and on Halloween. The term jack-o'-lantern was originally used to describe the visual phenomenon ignis fatuus (lit., "foolish fire") known as a will-o'-the-wisp in English folklore. Used especially in East England, its earliest known use dates to the 1660s.[3] The term "will-o'-the-wisp" uses "wisp" (a bundle of sticks or paper sometimes used as a torch) and the proper name "Will": thus, "Will-of-the-torch." The term jack o'lantern is of the same construction: "Jack of [the] lantern." The carving of vegetables has been a common practice in many parts of the world, and gourds were one of the earliest plant species farmed by humans c. 10,000 years ago.[4] It is believed that the custom of making jack-o'-lanterns at Hallowe'en time began in Ireland.[5][6][7] In the 19th century, "turnips or mangel wurzels, hollowed out to act as lanterns and often carved with grotesque faces," were used on Halloween in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands.[8] In these Gaelic-speaking regions, Halloween was also the festival of Samhain and was seen as a time when supernatural beings (the Aos Sí), and the souls of the dead, walked the earth. Jack-o'-lanterns were also made at Halloween time in Somerset (see Punkie Night) during the 19th century.[8] By those who made them, the lanterns were said to represent either spirits or supernatural beings,[8] or were used to ward off evil spirits.[9] For example, sometimes they were used by Halloween participants to frighten people,[9][10][11] and sometimes they were set on windowsills to keep harmful spirits out of one's home.[10] It has also been suggested that the jack-o'-lanterns originally represented Christian souls in purgatory, as Halloween is the eve of All Saints' Day (1 November)/All Souls' Day (2 November).[12] On Halloween in 1835, the Dublin Penny Journal published a long story on the legend of "Jack-o'-the- Lantern".[13] In 1837, the Limerick Chronicle refers to a local pub holding a carved gourd competition and presenting a prize to "the best crown of Jack McLantern". The term "McLantern" also appears in an 1841 publication of the same paper.[14]

Noyo Chapter American Rhododendron Society POBox 1068 Fort Bragg, CA 95437-1068