By Andi Rivarola
A warm welcome to those who are seeing IRISES, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society for the first time. If you are a member of The American Iris Society I hope you enjoy this new edition, cover below, which you will receive via U.S. Mail very soon.
The Winter 2017 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available soon for online viewing also and is accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. Note: to access this area of the website you must have a current AIS Emembership. AIS Emembership is separate from the normal AIS membership. Please see the Electronic Membership Information area of the AIS website for more details.
On this issue:
On Page 6 & 7 the invitation and registration form to the L.A. Spuria Iris Fest 2017 to be held in the Los Angeles area on May 5 and 6.
AIS President Gary White's message is on page 8.
An introduction to the 2016 Honorary Award Recipient Don Delmez from St. Louis, Missouri, on page 9, by Jim Morris.
President Gary White notes:
The AIS Board of Directors named Don Delmez of Region 18, as recipient of the AIS Hybridizer's Medal. Don hybridizes and introduces Japanese irises in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
Fantastic iris photos in oh so many locations are available on pages 10 through 5. Displayed LARGE, they are the winners of the 2016 AIS Photo Contest.
International Iris News are on pages 16 through 18, featuring stories from Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France, by Bruce Filardi.
Bruce details the prizes to be awarded in Franciris 2017, the France Iris Competition:
- Best irises in the competition
- Best French iris
- The most floriferous iris
- The best perfume/fragrance
- The audience award (popular favorite)
An introduction to new AIS Board members, and their visit to Sedona, Arizona during the fall meeting, on pages 20 and 21.
Please note that the 2016 Exhibition Report was printed separate from the Bulletin but inserted and mailed together.
Two excellent scientific reports: one called, Genetics is Easy. Really? Not! by Jim Morris; followed by Jumping Genes, An Alternate View, by Dan Meckenstock.
Jumping genes involve two DNA elements — the suppressor and the activator. The activator encodes a transposase enzyme that attaches itself to the suppressor-mutator element and inserts it into a chromosome.
Don't miss a note by Stephanie Markham, presenting hybridizer Lynda Miller, the 2016 Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing, on page 36.
Lastly, Youth Views are on pages 38 and 39, by Cheryl Deaton.
If you need information about the Des Moines, Iowa National Convention, please find it on page 50 followed by the registration form on page 51.
There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version will be a available online soon.
Happy gardening!
