MIDDLE ATLANTIC CHAPTER
of the
AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY
Extends an Invitation to
NEW ADVENTURES IN THE OLD NEW RIVER VALLEY
May 18-20, 2012
Reserve the third weekend in May, May 18-20, 2012, to join members and friends of the Middle Atlantic Chapter of ARS for "New Adventures in the Old New River Valley". We will visit new gardens, hear new speakers, and explore new natural areas during our weekend in Blacksburg, Virginia. Our base for the weekend will be the Days Inn Conference Center, conveniently located just off the Rt. 460 Bypass in Blacksburg, Virginia.
We will begin the weekend on Friday evening with our MAC Chapter meeting, followed immediately by our first guest speaker, Dr. Erik Nilsen, Professor of Biological Sciences and MAC member. Dr. Nilsen, a recipient of an ARS Research Grant, has done extensive research on different adaptations in Rhododendron species and will be sharing some of his findings with us in his presentation. (See his article in the Winter 2012 ARS Journal.) The evening program will be followed by the always tempting new plant selections of the Spring Plant Sale (remember entry is based on your registration order) and the also always tempting Book Sale.
Saturday morning we will board buses to travel to several private gardens in Blacksburg, including the nationally recognized garden of MAC member Elissa Steeves and the Weiner/Eichorn garden featuring the Shear collection of rhododendrons. Elissa's garden has been featured in articles in Southem Living and Horticulture, and while she admits that she planted her first azaleas and rhododendrons too deeply, her garden features many choice plants and original design features. We will enjoy a box lunch at the Hahn Horticultural Garden on the Virginia Tech campus. The Hahn garden has been greatly expanded and showcases many beautiful garden design features and choice plants. After returning to the hotel and getting ourselves "spiffed up", we have our social hour, Flower Show display, and the always competitive Plant Auction, Our evening speaker will be Elissa Steeves' presentation on "Aging Gracefully As One's Garden Matures" - a topic most of us can relate to! Saturday evening will end with the last opportunity to buy plants at the Spring Plant Sale and irresistible books at the Book Sale.
New to the weekend plan will be an optional tour by car on Sunday morning to Buffalo Mountain Natural Preserve in Floyd County. Buffalo Mountain has several rare plants and an extensive natural plant community. The views at the summit are spectacular, but many of the unique plants can be found at the lower elevations for those not wanting the hiking challenge. We will enjoy a buffet lunch at Chateau Morrisette, and then we will travel north on the parkway to explore several interesting areas. (The Sunday buffet at Chateau Morrisefte is $24.99, which is not included in the registration costs. However, please select the Sunday Tour option so that we can make the buffet reservation for our group.)
Please make plans to join us in Blacksburg, Virginia on May 18-20, 2012 for new garden adventures, exciting speakers from our MAC membership, and visits with new and long- time MAC friends!