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 issue.
The Winter issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is in the hands of U.S. Post Office. On the cover this time, the Winner of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest, called "Blue Tectorums," by Beth Conrad from New Zealand. Congratulations!
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 page 3, Winners of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest are announced, photos are located in several segments of this publication.
AIS President, Gary White's message is on page 8, with great news about the 2021 AIS National Convention location, and the names of newly elected AIS Directors. Take a look.
Ready or not, it's good to know about A Charitable Bequest to AIS, ex-AIS President, Jim Morris explains on page 11.
What's happening with HIPS (Historic Iris Preservation Society)? What's happening with the Novelty Iris Society or the Spuria Iris Society? Check pages 12 and 13 for Section Happenings.
An introduction to AIS Gold Medal Recipient Jeanne Clay Plank, by Jill Bonino on pages 15 and 16.
A wonderful read on pages 16 - 18, by California hybridizer Doug Kanarowski, called Two Hybridizing Advancements: One Intentional, One Accidental. Nice hybriding technique photos accompany the piece. Enjoy.
The 2017 AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium Results are published starting on page 22 and continue through page 27.
Beautiful shots of iris in many different garden situations comprise the list of the 2017 AIS Photo Contest Winners. Some are quite unique and original. On pages 18 through 31.
The request for bearded irises for the 2020 Centennial Convention is on page 32, and the International Iris Competition information for the same year follows on page 33.
Don't miss the piece on Images Now Required with Iris Registrations on pages 34 and 35, by Neil Houghton, the new AIS Image Coordinator.
Lastly, extensive information about the 2018 AIS National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, on pages 37 through 44. Hope to see you there! More online information about the convention can be found here: http://www.2018irisconvention.org/
Not a member of The American Iris Society? Please see our website for information about becoming one: http://irises.org/
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 is already available online as described above).
Happy Gardening!
