Before I get started with my story, if anyone has any photos of me at the event, please send them on to my email. Thank you in advance! (and thanks to Charlie and Teresa who already sent some)
The presentations at the symposium were interesting, varied and relevant. Some speakers I heard for the first time – Heidi Douglas, Tom Polston, Bryan Culver, Nate Bremer, Dr. Robert Grant and Bill Schardien – to name a few. The overwhelming feeling I got from the presenters is that they are forging their own ways, following their own hearts and feeling positive about the direction they are each heading. It was not a parade of future introductions. Each speaker had their own perspective about being a hybridizer and a daylily lover. I saw many people taking notes on interesting possible parents for new daylilies. I saw many people noting H. 'True to Whim' and H. 'Leslie Renee' to use in their hybridizing efforts. Many hybridizers talked about using material that not everyone else was using, and not using the hottest, newest genetics on the market. There are thousands of great daylilies with still-to-be-discovered genetics that are five, ten and even twenty years old. I heard the advice to not use what "everyone else is using" more than once.
The first organized presentation of the weekend was billed as a "Hybridizer's Forum" and about 50 people gathered in the ballroom to discuss many different topics. It was a very interesting discussion to hear people talk about new forms being proposed by various AHS committees, registration frustrations and upcoming remedies, seed planting thoughts and many other topics. It was an hour well spent and an activity that will be planned again at future events. This is the kind of interactive education we need more of – an opportunity to ask questions and give answers in an open, safe forum. I lurked and soaked up the exchange of information. Sometimes it is more obvious to me that I am certainly on the periphery of the science of this hobby. It is during these times that I take solace in my creative side, knowing that my place in the daylily community is more social and artistic. No one is going to come to me to hear about my hybridizing breakthroughs or discoveries, but I'm okay with that. I'm inspired and intrigued by it all.
The new addition to the symposium this year was The Birdhouse Contest. I have to admit that at first I was skeptical about this addition. We were asking attendees to make a functional birdhouse and donate it to the region. The entries in the contest were then to be auctioned off in the live auction. The region also offered great prizes for the top three birdhouses, as decided by a secret panel of judges. I was worried. I was worried we wouldn’t get enough entries to make the three prizes. But I was wrong. We had 14 amazing entries, mine was among them. I spent two weeks designing and painting my birdhouse as a tribute to the New Orleans "Musician's Village" neighborhood. This neighborhood is often called the "easter basket" neighborhood due to the bright, pastel colors of the new houses being built there. I saw it on a recent trip to New Orleans during a tour of the still-recovering, post-Katrina lower 9th ward. It inspired me and I felt moved to make a tribute. So, I spent weeks designing a triplet set of birdhouses, painted in spring colors. The entire time I spent painting the birdhouses I felt as though I was making it for myself, for my garden, for my feelings toward New Orleans and the recovery efforts there. I enjoyed the final product very much and thought about not entering it and keeping it more than once. But I did enter it, and talked to my husband about me just buying it back from the auction when it went up for bid. He agreed that was a good way to participate, both in the contest and in supporting the region financially. So that was my plan, until my birdhouse was selected as the 2nd prize winner of the contest!! For my win, I was awarded a paid-registration to the 2011 Region 2 Symposium, which I decided to donate to the only youth member in attendance at the event. She was thrilled and I was honored that my real, heartfelt efforts were noticed. But then it came time to auction off the winning birdhouses. We saved the top three finishers for the last night of the auction and up to that point, bidding was high on the previous 11 offered at auction. I was worried again. I really wanted to buy it back. I happened to be the auctioneer when mine came up for bid, which made the situation even more bittersweet. Bidding was hot. I didn’t win. I actually could not have afforded to buy back my own birdhouse, which was kind of a great honor, since it went to someone who I care about a lot, and I am honored to know it will be in their garden where it will be enjoyed by hundreds of visitors each year. My son watched me create that birdhouse over the weeks it took to finish, he even made a couple of his own along the way. He asked why I was doing it and told me I was doing a good job. That felt good. He even said he was proud of me when I called home to tell them I had come in second. Pretty cool for a four year old.
(SIDEBAR: Two people have asked if I can make another one for them, and I haven’t decided if I will or not yet. Maybe after I make one for myself I will decide if I want to make more…who knows, maybe you will see them in the boutique this summer at the Region 2 Summer Meeting.)
I picked up a copy of Curt Hanson's 2010 catalog, and as usual, was amazed. He is blazing a new trail again. I wont spoil the surprise for those of you who haven’t seen it yet, but he is moving forward full-force with a new form that will leave you speechless – no matter how you feel about it.
Donna Blanton donated an amazing painting of daylilies in a vase that was raffled off. She and JR also offered adorable tea-cup birdfeeders that I couldn’t pass up.
Duane and Barbara Nickel had their booth in the boutique and offered the coolest candle stakes I had ever seen- made from spoons. Unfortunately I was too busy to pick up a few, but I won't make that mistake again if they set up shop in Ohio this summer at the Regional meeting.
Alan and Joyce Hersh tempted us again with Alan's gorgeous jewelry baubles.
Dan and Jackie Bachman had a booth as well, filled with unique items, including cards made to look like shirts with daylilies on them. HOW CUTE!
Tom Polston got a new nickname- 'The Dentist.' How fitting.
Dan Bachman did not wear the Chicken Suit, but promises he will again soon.
Our one youth member in attendance got involved with the auction and entered a birdhouse in the contest. HOW. COOL. I wish I would have had a gardening mentor when I was her age. Priceless – and kudos to you, Aunt Sue for bringing her along.
Bob Faulkner picked up a paintbrush for the first time in 30 years and created a piece of art for the live auction that now will hang at Slightly Different Nursery (Paul Owen was the high bidder on that one, and he had to fight off many other bidders to win it!)
I think I handled everyone's issues and requests…if I haven’t, please email me. It was a very busy weekend and I have my trusty notes intact, transcribed and in process, but you never know if I missed something. The missing auction cards are on their way, and my thank you notes are in process.
The generosity of daylily folks never ceases to amaze me. Generosity with money, time, talent, product, effort, knowledge and thoughtfulness was overflowing. When there is a true circle of trust and caring, there seems to be no end to what can be accomplished. Most egos were checked at the door and I think most attendees left with "more" than they came with. I know my brain was full when I headed home, and so was my heart.
Thanks to everyone for their participation, in whatever capacity!
C'mon Spring!
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