Tag Archives: Region 21

Come to the Region 21 Spring Convention and Garden Tour – May 23-24

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Dear AIS members,

I would like to extend an invitation to you all to come enjoy the
Region 21 Spring Convention and Garden Tour held this May 23rd – 24th.
The Lincoln Iris Society will host this annual event and it is sure
to be an excellent convention this year. There are six gardens slated
to be on the tour this Spring, showcasing the private iris collections
of LIS members.

On the tour are the gardens of Dean and Judy Douglas, Jenny and Mark
Cich, David and Marjorie Lionberger, Dottie Ladman, Jean Pedersen, and
Gary White & Linda Rader. This will be the first time on regional tour
for most of the gardens; back on the tour this year are the Douglas
and White/Rader gardens, both large gardens. In addition to a whole
lot of irises, the gardeners also dabble in an eclectic assortment of
other perennials, so there should be something of interest for
everyone.

There will also be an opportunity for Judges’ Training and a program
presented by immediate past AIS president Judy Keisling.  This is a
not to be missed opportunity for lovers of iris.

There is often a hesitation to participate in large regional events
from novice iris lovers but I would like to say this is a perfect
opportunity to meet iris lovers of all levels of experience from the
master showman and hybridizer to those growing their first iris.  If
you’ve ever wanted to learn more about growing or showing iris and you
love to see “real” gardens you will not want to miss this opportunity.
This is the perfect time to come see what the American Iris Society
and their affiliates are about, meet  like minded gardeners, and enjoy
some beautiful gardens!

These events are open to non-AIS members as well and the Lincoln Iris
Society are superb and welcoming hosts so come and bring a friend or
neighbor.

Hope to see you in the gardens!

Linda Wilkie
Regional Vice President, AIS Region 21

Upcoming Iris Events

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While you can see these events listed on our Upcoming Events page, I thought it might be useful to have highlighted them here as well.

Lincoln Iris Society will hold their annual iris show May 10th.  Contact Gary White for details.

Greater Omaha Iris Society will hold their annual iris show May 17th at Lauritzen Gardens in
Omaha.  Show entries will be accepted from 7:30 AM through 9:45 AM.
Show schedule GOIS Show Schedule 2014 final (PDF).

Region 21 will hold their annual Spring Convention & Garden Tour in
Lincoln May 23-24th this year.  An executive board meeting will be
held Sunday May 25th in conjunction with the tour.  Information
Invite2014_Reg21Convention (PDF).

Can-West Iris Society 2014 Iris Show is Sunday, June 15th at Bourkevale Community Centre, 100 Ferry Road, Winnipeg MB.  Details here.

Special Rates for Lodging Reservation Deadline – April 25, 2014

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Just a quick reminder, the deadline to be sure of obtaining the special rates for rooms for the Region 21 Spring Convention is April 25th!  The lodging information from the meeting invitation is shown below.

Lodging Information

The location for the convention will be the Country Inn and Suites at 5353 North 27th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska — off the 27th St exit of I-80, then 1.6 miles south on the right (west).

*** Please make your own reservations with the Country Inn & Suites by
calling (402) 476-5353. To obtain the convention rate, be sure to mention the
Lincoln Iris Society and Iris Meeting when making reservations***

The cost of motel rooms is as follows:
Standard Room = $89.99 (plus taxes)

A block of rooms has been reserved at these prices. The hotel will only guarantee this rate, however, until April 25, 2014. After that date, you may still make reservations, but the above rates are not guaranteed.

The Country Inn & Suites offers a free hot breakfast and has a fitness room and indoor swimming pool and outdoor hot tub for your convenience and pleasure. The hotel also has free wireless internet access and a business center. Guests at the hotel also get a 10% reduction in meals at the Beacon Hills Restaurant.

Region 21 Fall 2013 Banquet!

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While I’ve reported some on the Region 21 Fall Meeting, the banquet that was part of this meeting deserves its own thank you.  The food, catered by Mangia, was great.  I should have taken some pictures of the desserts; however, I was too busy enjoying them.

Our Greater Omaha Iris Society hosts provided everyone with a Sass rhizome!  I believe they were all either ‘Midwest Gem’ or ‘Pretty Pansy’.  And from the Sass Memorial Iris Garden.  On a coincidental note, ‘Pretty Pansy’ was subsequently featured on the World of Irises blog in a posting:  Iris Classics:  “Pretty Pansy” which includes more of its history.

Ron Crampton prepared the amazing centerpieces.  I’m not even sure my picture does them justice.

And, as I mentioned earlier, our speaker Bob Hollingworth expanded our horizons speaking on A World of Irids.

Thank you to everyone for a most enjoyable and remarkable evening!

Region 21 Fall 2013 Meeting Held August 10 at Omaha

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The Region 21 Fall Meeting hosted by the Greater Omaha Iris Society began Friday evening with a social get-together.  Then Saturday, August 10th, we met at Mammel Hall for a great meeting.

Our first speaker was Judy Kiesling, the AIS immediate past-president, discussing AIS Awards and Ballots.  She covered a number of timely aspects of the Awards which were announced just a week later.

Robert Hollingworth covered Siberian Irises and what to look for and what to look out for.  (When the Awards came out, it was apparent his Siberian irises have the desired attributes – he won both the Morgan-Wood Medal for ‘Swans In Flight’ and the Walther Cup for ‘Judy, Judy, Judy’.)  He was also our banquet speaker describing A World of Irids with examples from South Africa, Israel, and Japan.

Thank you to our host group for a great meeting!

[Note:  The Iris Auction and Business Meeting notes will be added later.]

Region 21 Fall Conference – August 9 – 10, 2013

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San Francisco

'San Francisco' - from the 2012 auction

The Region 21 Fall Conference will be hosted by the Greater Omaha Iris Society August 9th and 10th.  Join us for an interesting and educational conference.  Region 21 AIS members should have/should soon receive the notice and registration form.  You can also download the information and registration form here (PDF).  Further details below.

Region 21 of the American Iris Society

Fall Educational Sessions, Business Meetings, & Auction to be held:

Friday and Saturday, August 9-10, 2013

Hosted by the Greater Omaha Iris Society

Featuring guest speaker Robert Hollingworth, noted Siberian iris hybridizer and current President of the AIS Foundation

Iris Auction August 10th at 1:30 PM

Purchase recently introduced iris rhizome from Sutton’s, Stout’s and Ensata Gardens.  A selection of new bearded and beardless varieties will be available for bid.  (auction is open to the public)

Educational Sessions* (Saturday morning):
Session I: Awards & Balloting
Session II:  Judging Siberian Iris presented by Robert Hollingworth
* educational sessions meet criteria for judges training c.e. from the AIS.

Conference sessions and activities will take place at Mammel Hall, located on the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Ak-Sar-Ben Technology Campus.  The first NU system building to earn gold LEED certification, the facility is a showpiece of technology and artful design.

Conference cost is $45.00 per person

(banquet only and youth prices are available)

Conference registration includes:

  • Friday evening reception
  • Educational Sessions
  • Saturday luncheon and business meetings
  • Saturday evening banquet and program presented by Robert Hollingworth

Pre-registration is required for all events.

A limited number of seats for Mr. Hollingworth’s morning presentation are available to non-conference participants for $5.00 per person (10:00 AM Saturday, August 10th).

The conference hotel:

Courtyard Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Village
(a Marriott Property)

1625 S 67th St

Omaha, NE 68106

(402) 951-4300

Special room rate of $95.00 per night needs to be confirmed with the hotel by July 26th

Please contact the conference registrar Rebecca Kadel for details and to register.   (402) 556-2025 or     rebecca.kadel@cox.net