Greetings from the RP
By Barbara Kirby

Springtime greetings to everyone. As we transition from winter to spring, it seems
like both groundhogs are trying to be right with their predictions. Our poor daylilies
start to thrive and are then pushed back with hard freezes—this is the time we
appreciate dormants, isn’t it. Those daylily and seed catalogues are pouring in and
we’re making our lists again. We haven’t had a Regional since September and we’re
suffering daylily and fellowship withdrawal. The big news of the New Year is the
incorporation of the AHS and Regions. We now have a “Regional President” (formerly
RVP) and a Board consisting of the RP, RPD, and Treasurer. AHS/Regional
guidelines are being updated to reflect the change.
Morris & I attended the MWS in Nashville and it was fantastic. They’ve had 19 years
to perfect this event and it definitely shows with the quality and organization of the
symposium. While I’m writing this, we’re still accepting reservations for our Spring
Fling and we’ll hold up this spring issue to include reports on our event. We have an
incredible line up of speakers and presentations.
My other hat as chairman for the Regional garden tours 5-7 June is keeping the
Middle Georgia Club busy in the gardens, arranging schedules, and fund raising
activities. Check out the registration form on page 14 and just note what a fun-filled
weekend we have planned. Not only will you be able to complete your judging
workshops, tour some beautiful gardens, but you will see the latest from our Georgia
Hybridizers and the current/future programs of Larry Grace, Elizabeth and Jeff Salter,
and Dan Trimmer. You will also be able to purchase daylilies hybridized by each of our
speakers as well as the Bells, Herringtons and Joiners at the auction on Friday night.
You’ll literally spend a weekend in daylily heaven…
Our Region 5 website is running and has current info on the clubs, officers,
committees, registration forms for the Regionals, and our latest issue of The Georgia
Daylily. Charlie Shaw has perservered and been quite patient in taking care of this.
Thanks Charlie. He can only put on there what we give him. If your club has a
website, please provide it to Charlie so we can create a link on the region website and
vice versa. Cobb County has an excellent website and a very interesting video about
putting on a show—check it out. www.ahsregion5.org
Last year, we didn’t have any entries for our Youth award. I know we had several
youth win in shows this past year so I’m appealing to you parents and grandparents to
apply for this award. The rules and application are further on in this issue. In 2010,
this award will be available for the Valdosta National, so keep this in mind as the youth
work projects in your club and enter shows. Speaking of the Valdosta National, Tim
Bell will be filling us in on the latest details at the Fall Regional on 19 Sep at Macon
State College.
I will close by reporting on the loss of another esteemed Region 5 member and
friend. Dixie Ayers lost her battle with cancer on 31 Jan. To say the least, that sweet
face, soft voice, and beautiful smile will be missed by all.

You can get a copy of the 2009 Popularity Poll here:

2009 Region 5 Popularity Poll Ballot