Message from the President
Rhododendron ‘Old Copper’ blooms in June
As many of you know, our recent Open Garden Tour at Verna Buhler’s beautiful Echoes of Nature garden was a great success, both socially and financially. The event not only provided a wonderful opportunity to share our passion for rhododendrons and gardening with the public, but it also helped offset the hospitality costs we incurred while hosting the ARS Tour of Cowichan Valley Gardens, featuring the gardens of Verna Buhler and George Morgen, Al and Liz Murray, and Elisabeth Zoffmann. Thanks to the excellent turnout of 131 visitors and their donations, the 16 May public tour successfully covered our cost overrun. More importantly, it demonstrated the welcoming spirit and enthusiasm of our chapter and encouraged three more people to join. My sincere thanks go to Verna and George for opening their remarkable garden and to everyone who contributed to making the day such an enjoyable success.
Photo Gallery submitted by Joanne Meredith. Click to enlarge.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Susan Stitt, as well as Janice and Laurie Moseley, and Carrie Nelson, for graciously opening their stunning gardens to our chapter members. The azaleas were breathtaking in their vibrant colours, and the variety in the landscaping of all the gardens showcased remarkable artistry. Thanks to their generosity, the Moseley garden will be featured this year on the annual Rotary Garden Tour, alongside a diverse selection of other gardens from the valley.
We are especially looking forward to our Summer Picnic and AGM on June 20, to be held in the garden of Verna and her partner, George Morgen. Details can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. These gatherings are always a wonderful opportunity to relax together, enjoy good food and conversation, and celebrate another successful year for our chapter. I encourage everyone to attend, reconnect with fellow members, and participate in the business of the society as we look ahead to the coming season. With fifteen new members joining the CVRS this year, we have much to celebrate and many delightful new people with whom to become better acquainted.
I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage members to consider serving on the chapter executive. A healthy society depends on members who are willing to step forward and help guide the organization.
With eight other members on the executive, the workload is shared and certainly not too demanding. In fact, it can be a great deal of fun and a rewarding way to become more involved in the life of the chapter.
Please do not feel that you need to be an expert on rhododendrons to serve on the board; serious technical knowledge is not a prerequisite. What matters most is a cooperative attitude, a willingness to contribute, and perhaps some fresh ideas and perspectives. Our society thrives because members bring a variety of talents and experiences to the table. I encourage anyone who has considered becoming more involved to give it some thought.
Volunteering and serving on the executive are also excellent ways to meet new people and build friendships within the chapter. Working together on events and activities fosters a real sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, and many lasting friendships have grown out of involvement in the society. One thing in life that you can never have too much of is friendship.
See you on 20 June,
Dorothy Kennedy