BAY NEWS
Newsletter of the American Gesneriad Society of San Francisco
Volume 27, No. 11, November 2005
Next Meeting: Sunday, November 20, 2005
Program: Ron Parsons Slide Show
The Prez Sez...
by Katherine Henwood
November and my maple tree is still doing its annual strip tease. Then of course a little rain makes the leaves so slippery, but they smell grand.
Ron Parsons will be presenting one of his spectacular slide shows at our November meeting, I hope you will all be able to come.
Some sad news for you, our long-time member Ben Franklin passed away suddenly from a heart attack. Ben was an enthusiastic grower, with many interests. I will miss him.
Some good news, Irene Fey, our treasurer, is home again from a stay in a convalescent hospital and hopes to be at the November meeting. Looking forward to seeing you all on November 20!
Delta Show and Sale
by Terri Campbell
On Saturday, October 22, four AGS-SF members set off for Sacramento and the Delta Show and Sale. We (David, Jon, Anna and Terri) left in plenty of time to have a picnic lunch in the park -- the weather in Sacramento was sunny and beautiful --and then we headed into the show and sale. We were pleased to find a selection of gesneriads other than saintpaulias for sale in the entryway. Streps, chiritas and episcias were featured. I saw a hemiboea as well, and I think that someone ahead of us was purchasing a large and attractive aeschynanthus. Inside, there was a room filled with saintpaulias, and the sale area spilled over into the show room with another table of saintpaulias, streptocarpellas, and plastic pots. We spoke with Mae Mendes, Barbara Elkin, and Vera Parker's sister Margie. Jon saw Vera and Ken Parker, briefly, as they were leaving after the club luncheon.
The show featured some large and attractive specimens of gesneria 'Lemon Drop' and nautilocalyx pemphidia. Many of the ribbons on the tables had been won by Barbara Elkin and June Fallaw, who recently judged our club show. Their plants and most of the others as well, were beautifully grown and displayed. There were quite a few non-saintpaulias represented. It was inspiring to see so many large and well-grown plants.
I think that all four of us found some treasures in the
sale room. I know that I brought home saintpaulias'Vampire's Kiss' and
'Gillian', and a few other plants! I noted in the sale room that many people
were asking for miniature trailers. This would be a good candidate for our
next sale. Also, the Delta group used a small photo of each saintpaulia hybrid
behind each tray of plants. Most people seemed to be buying based on these
photos, since the plants mainly looked the same, and most buyers would not know
all the hybrids represented. This is another innovation we might introduce at
our sales next year.
Party in Remembrance of Ben Franklin
By Lorah Gross
Our long time AGSSF member Ben Franklin passed away recently due to complications from diabetes. The San Francisco Succulent and Cactus Society has invited all friends of Ben to join in a celebration and pot luck to remember him on Saturday, November 26, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Recreation Room (in the same building where we have our regular meetings). Please see the attached notice for details.
2005 Officers
President: Katherine Henwood
Vice President: Terri Lynn Campbell
Secretary: David Waugh
Treasurer: Irene Fey (please request Irene’s address from Lorah Gross)
Newsletter Editor: Lorah Gross lorah@lorah.net
Meetings: Usually third Sunday of each month, 1-4 p.m. at Library of County Fair Bldg., Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (Enter from parking lot North side of 10th Avenue and Lincoln Blvd., turn right through gate next to building, go to third door)
2005 meetings: April 17, June 19, July 17 (Board meeting before regular meeting), August 21, September 18, November 20, December 18 Holiday Luncheon.
Shows, Sales, and Field Trips:
May TBA Field Trip, June 4 Exhibit and Plant Sale, July 5-10 AGGS Convention (Portland, OR), October TBA Field Trip
Dues: $10 single, $11 family. Make checks payable to AGS SF, mail to Treasurer.
Website: http://www.agssf.org
