Mini Hosta Luncheon at AHS 2012 National Convention

Here is information about the Mini Hosta Luncheon at The American Hosta Society's 2012 National Convention from my post to the AHS Mini Hosta Forum on Yahoo Groups.


EVENT: Mini Hosta Luncheon at The American Hosta Society's 2012 National Convention

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 14, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. CDT to 1:00 p.m. CDT

LOCATION: private dining room at Two Rivers Grille, Marriott Nashville Airport

ATTENDANCE CAPACITY: first thirty registrants

COST: no registration fee; attendees will order lunch from the restaurant's menu and pay individually; a twenty-four percent gratuity will be added to each person's check

COORDINATOR/CONTACT: John Spangler, whose e-mail address is JMSinKY@aol.com

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: e-mail your name and e-mail address to John Spangler at JMSinKY@aol.com, including the name and e-mail address for any spouse or companion who will be accompanying you; only the first thirty registrants will be admitted to the luncheon

When I saw that there was no formal presentation on this year's AHS National Convention p rogram and that the Thursday lunch time slot was "On Your Own," I asked the convention Co-Chairs Cornelia Holland and Virginia Gregory-Kocaj if a lunch opportunity could be developed for miniature hosta growers to get together to meet one another at the convention and talk about one of their most favorite subjects -- mini hostas! They both were enthused about the idea, and this luncheon resulted.

Kathy Guest Shadrack and Michael Shadrack, authors of the invaluable THE BOOK OF LITTLE HOSTAS (2010), will be attending, and I hope that W. George Schmid and Warren Pollock, moderators of our AHS Mini Hosta Forum, will also be able to attend.

The luncheon will be an informal, relaxed chance to socialize with other mini lovers and discuss miniature hostas between the formal presentations on the Thursday convention schedule. It does not conflict with a Judges Luncheon for the convention's hosta show; instead of a judges' luncheon there is a judges' breakfast that morning.

So here's your opportunity to spend some time at Nashville sharing your own experiences and learning more about mini hostas.

If you want to attend, please e-mail me . Feel free to include in your e-mail any topics or specific questions that you would like to see treated in our luncheon discussion.

John Spangler
Versailles, Kentucky
JMSinKY@aol.com

Two New Species Added to Backyard Bird List

This morning I have seen two new birds to add to My Backyard Birdlist -- the brown-headed cowbird and the downy woodpecker. These two are the first to be added since October of last year and bring the species count up to 16.


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2012 Great Lakes Region Hosta College

I am in Piqua, OH, for this year's Great Lakes Region Hosta College -- my first time here, and it is awesome!
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Around 500 attendees. Huge vending area. Five classes and lunch tomorrow, skipping the closing banquet to drive home before it gets dark. 
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This evening's purchases --

• Hostas 'Feather Boa', 'Munchkin', 'Peanut', 'Rock Island Line', 'Rock Princess', 'X-Rated' and a purple double hardy primrose -- plus the College's complimentary hosta 'Homecoming Queen'
• THE NEW ENCYCLOPEDIA OF HOSTAS (2009) by Diana Grenfell and Michael Shadrack
• CREATING AND PLANTING GARDEN TROUGHS (2d ed., 20111) by Joyce Fingerut and Rex Murfitt

Tomorrow's classes --

• "Building Papercrete Containers"
• "Small Garden Projects"
• "Hypertufa with a Twist!"
• "Maintaining Your Hostas"
• "Ask Bob [Solberg]"

There are several of us here from Hostas of Kentuckiana. I had a delightful lunch this afternoon with Cornelia Holland and Virginia Gregory-Kocaj, co-chairs of this year's American Hosta Society's National Convention in Nashville in June.

AHS Convention Early Registration Ends Jan. 31

Just a reminder that you can save money by registering for the 2012 American Hosta Society National Convention early!
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If your registration is postmarked by 1/31/2012, the registration fee is $229. Registrations postmarked from 2/1/2012 through 4/14/2012 pay $249, and registrations postmarked from 4/15/2012 through 5/15/2012 pay $280.
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June 13 will be here before you know it! :-)
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The Convention's website at www.hosta2012.com contains a wealth of information about the program and activities, including a great video invitation. You can print out a registration form by clicking HERE.
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If you are a Facebook user, here is a link to the Convention's Facebook Event where you can join in discussions about the Convention and receive news and information.
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Hope to see you in Nashville. Y'all, come!