SHADES OF
GREEN
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Volume 7, Issue 4
President's Message
by Bill Storz
October, 2003
Imagine, the tantalizing aroma of exotic dishes carried on cool breezes, set among towering oaks and wavering Tiki Torches, with visions of exquisite deserts, culminating in selecting from a huge assortment of unusual and not so unusual Hostas and companion plants --- then you have a snapshot of this year�s annual potluck picnic and plant sale.  Good weather, 35-40 Hosta enthusiasts and a tremendous array of plants combined to make this a great event.  However, none of this would have been possible without active club members: SO ---

        Thanks to the acquisition and sitter committees.
          Special  thanks to all who donated plants from
          their gardens.

          Thanks to all, for the many excellent dishes and
          desserts�they were delicious.

The picnic plant sale was a huge success generating over $1100.00 for the club.  So, once again,  �THANK YOU� one and all for your contribution in making this a very successful and enjoyable day.

The annual picnic was a great way to end what has been a very exciting and eventful club year.  A lot has happened to strengthen your club.  The doldrums party was reinstated as a shared potluck event with the Day Lily and Iris Societies; we�ve enjoyed excellent speakers at each of our meetings; had a super plant sale in May; and held a very successful first ever �Cut Leaf Show� (with over 200 leaves entered).  Kent Terpening, Dave Jennings and their committee deserve a great round of applause for making the �Cut Leaf Show� a reality. 

I am excited and yet humbled by all the fine people who make these events so successful.  It is all of you who create the environment that enables us to live up to our charter � that is - making people aware of and interested in genus �Hosta�.  The next year looks just as exciting.  There are many exciting programs, speakers, and events planned. 

Our major event will be hosting Region One�s -- �First Look� -- convention during July.  This event encourages growers, cultivators, and breeders to exhibit new Hosta that have never been seen before and are not available in the market place.  Consider becoming a part of this event � the club will need volunteers to operate the many activities associated with this convention.  Your involvement will make this event another successful undertaking for your club.

Since our sales and potlucks have proven so successful, the Board of Directors is proposing a June event � a �Hosta Exchange� to be held in conjunction with a potluck picnic � to be hosted by a club member � could this be you???

Golly, I could continue to talk about our club�s successes, and the positive direction that it�s going, but I won�t.  However, let me end with this thought � if you haven�t been involved, now would be a great time to make a commitment to do something.  Become active - come to a meeting, join a committee, volunteer to help at a meeting or event.  Remember, many hands make a hard task easy and enjoyable.
Schedule of Events


October 25th Meeting - 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: John O�Brien
Topic:  Hostas: More Than Just
          The Plant Behind Grandma�s Barn
East Greenbush Library
Corner of Route 155 & Michael Rd.
East Greenbush, NY 12061
Directions at back of newsletter


2004 Schedule of Events

February: Winter Doldrums Party
   Details to Follow

March 13th Meeting � 1:00 p.m.
   Schenectady Public Library

March 26-28 � Capital District
   Garden and Flower Show - HVCC

April Meeting � TBA

May 22nd Meeting � 1:00 p.m.
   Annual Member Plant Sale & Mtg.
   Sprakers, NY

July � First Look
   Details to Follow

August 7th Meeting � 10:00 a.m.
   Speaker:  Bob Solberg

September 11th � 1:00 p.m.
   Annual Member Picnic
   Glenmont, NY

October 23rd Meeting � 1:00 p.m.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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