PRESIDENTS MESSAGELarry Manwell

The shows are over and its time to dig them up and put them into storage for the winter. I enjoyed this show season very much, as I always do. I thoroughly enjoy talking with long time dahlia friends and meeting new growers each year. I attended the national show this year and enjoyed it immensely. The show was great, the accommodations outstanding and the tours very enjoyable. I traveled, with Joan Marsh which is always a treat. We enjoyed ourselves very much. See Joan’s report on the show later in this Newsletter. I would like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It is my wish to each of you that you and your families have a great holiday season. Remember to put the Spring Meeting in April on your calendars. I hope to see many of you there.

National ShowJoan Marsh

Larry and I arrived in Chicago late on Wednesday evening and spent Thursday recovering! We met old friends and made new ones at the reception in the evening. The Pheasant Run Resort was excellent apart from the distances we had to walk.On Friday morning we went to the Morton Arboretum. The highlight of this was the tram ride round the grounds. I would have liked to go in the children’s garden but unfortunately my knees would not let me. In the afternoon we went to the Ball seed test gardens. I and several others enjoyed a pleasant rest in a shady area.In the evening we watched exhibitors setting up and checked the exhibition ballroom.The judging went very smoothly on Saturday. They divide the horticultural section by how many hills you grow and a separate section for those growing under shade. We attended the report on the dahlia research project given by Dr Pappu. It seems to me that very little progress has been made. The banquet in the evening was excellent and the ceremonies afterward were of a reasonable length. The ADS gold medal was awarded to Harry Resetto and the Presidents medal went to Norma and Mac Boyer. Very well deserved.We attended the classification and the annual ADS meetings. These will be fully reported in the bulletin. We spent the afternoon visiting the Meggos and Hein gardens. Unfortunately the weather had damaged the blooms badly but I enjoyed a pleasant half hour with Mrs. Hein. The hospitality at Meggos garden was great. He certainly squeezes many plants in a small space. We spent Monday in Chicago visiting the Sears Tower and enjoying a boat ride on the lake. A most enjoyable trip.

Comments from the Regional VPBob Miller

I was fortunate to have the opportunity of visiting the PNDC annual show in Victoria and the ADS annual show near Chicago at the Pheasant Run Resort.

Visiting Victoria is always fun, especially when you take the scenic ferry ride from Anacortes through the San Juan Islands. They grow some great dahlias. It was a great show and Victoria can be proud of their exhibition.

The ADS annual show was a great show and the hospitality was the very best. The Central States Dahlia Society did an excellent job of hosting the show. The originator of the “Vassio Meggos” dahlia, Steve Meggos, is in charge of catering and event scheduling at the resort and really took good care of us. They had blooms from Long Island, NY, Indiana, Georgia and places in between

I find visiting shows in other parts of the country very interesting and educational. Do you know that in many shows that you transport your blooms to the show in buckets and stage them at the show in containers provided by the host society. In our area most of the blooms are staged and shown by the exhibitor in their own containers.

Do you know that some areas show their blooms in bowls with “pin frogs” to hold up the blooms? Can you imagine trying to display an AA sized bloom supported only by a pin frog in its base?

Some of the areas in the eastern part of the country show blooms with at least two sets of leaves. Their tables look like a forest of leaves and stems. You can’t see the top of the bloom unless you remove the exhibit and set it on the floor. Judging is a real adventure at these shows.

One of the big benefits of visiting shows in other parts of the country is that you meet some very interesting and gracious people. I think that there are more goodhearted and gracious people growing dahlias than in any other group with which I have been associated. Take advantage of any opportunity that you can to visit a show in another part of the country. You will find it very enjoyable.

The ADS annual meeting was held in conjunction with the show at Pheasant Run. Several areas reported that this year had been a bad year for dahlia growers. California had restrictions put on the movement of plant material from one place to another that resulted in the canceling of several shows in the bay area. Several shows in the south had to be cancelled because of heat and drought conditions.

The efforts of the ADS to improve the benefits and its worth to the members appear to be paying off. A packet of information to help members develop new dahlia societies has been prepared and will be available in the near future.

Several awards were presented at the meeting. Harry Risetto was presented the ADS Gold Medal for his years of service to dahlias. The Presidents Lifetime Award was presented to Mac and Norma Boyer for their many years of service to the ADS.

Improvements are underway in the ADS website. A reminder was given that donations are still needed to fulfill the matching funds needed from securing the $10,000 offer for website improvement.

The 2008 annual show will be hosted by the Philadelphia DS and will be held at Longwood Gardens. The 2009 show will be hosted by the Snohomish DS. Make plans now to visit them.

What are the goals and objectives of the Pacific Northwest Dahlia Conference (PNDC)? Why do we exist?

Sally Miller, Vice President

Quite often when we try to get new members for the PNDC, we are asked “What do I get for the cost of the membership?” I think we need to take a look at our current offerings and see if we can improve on them. The PNDC needs to consider what we have to offer potential members. Right now the PNDC:1. Provides a stipend to the society that is hosting the annual PNDC conference show and meeting.

2. Has a Judging Chairman that keeps all the records and monitors each judge’s progression and evaluations thus being able to submit an annual report to the ADS.

3. Holds two meetings a year one of which includes an auction.

4. Publishes a Roster of Members and Judges annually.

5. Publishes quarterly newsletters.

6. Has several PNDC representatives on ADS committees to assure our representation in the ADS.

Suggestions for improvement of current authorized actions:

1. All items to appear on the agenda letter should be sent to the secretary at least 60 days prior to the regular meeting as required by Article VII, Section 2 of the PNDC By-laws.

2. An agenda letter should be sent to all societies at least 45 days preceding a regular meeting as required by Article VII, Section 1 of the PNDC By-laws.

3. The treasurer should prepare a yearly budget for the new fiscal year at the end of the current fiscal year and submit it to the executive committee and member societies as suggested by Article VI, Section 4 of the PNDC By-laws. Such a budget would help to explain to prospective members where their money is going and would help the executive committee plan for the future.

Suggestion to improve our future:

1. Hold executive board meetings at regular intervals just after the 60-day deadline for agenda items that are submitted by the societies to the secretary. Such a meeting would allow the development of the agenda and assist the board in plotting the future of the Conference.

2. Our current By-laws require the hosting society to replace the PNDC ribbons that are used at the hosting society’s expense. The replacement of ribbons in small quantities is quite expensive. These ribbons have not been used for the last few shows. Either the PNDC should stock and replace these ribbons at PNDC expense or amend the By-laws to eliminate this requirement.

3. Amend the By-laws to require each member society to designate a PNDC Representative to provide liaison with the PNDC Board of Directors and Executive Committee. This representative must have, or have access to, an e-mail address to assure

prompt receipt of the information and to minimize the cost of postage. International postage rates are continuing to escalate.

4. Have each society provide a “Calendar of Events” so that it can be published in the PNDC newsletter and distributed to the other societies. Members from other societies will then be able to support an event by planning ahead.

5. An Audit Committee should be established to audit the PNDC Treasurer’s books every two years as required by Article VI, Section 4 of the By-Laws.

6. The PNDC should designate a “Flower of the Year” so that member societies can assure that enough tubers are planted for a good showing. A PNDC special award should also be designated. It is suggested that two consecutive years of “Flower of the Year” be selected and published in the Roster of Members and Judges.

PASSAGESDavid Fox Senior

It is with deep regret we tell you of the sudden passing of David Fox, Sr, Sunday morning, October 21.  The funeral was held on Friday, October 19 at 11:00 at the Open Bible Fellowship Church, 1295 Taney Street, Eugene. Memorial remembrance gifts may be sent to: The Lawrence Fox Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Eugene Bible College, 2155 Bailey Hill Road, Eugene, OR 97405. Please share this information with others in your clubs, who may have known David.  His father, Lawrence, was one of the founders of the Lane County Dahlia Society.

Nick GittsMay 26, 1922 - October 16, 2007Nick Gitts, age 85, passed away peacefully with family at his side on October 16, 2007 at his home in Canby, Oregon, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.He was born on May 26, 1922 near Boulder, CO, to Russian immigrants Joe Gifts and Eva Shevchenko. He married Margaret E. Hovde on January 2, 1943 in Marysville, Wash. His love of dahlias led him to start a small dahlia business, known as Laurel Valley Dahlias. In 1963, Margaret and Nick purchased Swan Island Dahlias in Canby. They moved the family to Canby and began the expansion of Swan Island Dahlias from

its original 20 acres to the 40 acres it is today, which is now the largest dahlia farm in the United States. He was responsible for hybridizing many award-winning varieties introduced by Swan Island Dahlias. Although he retired from business in 1994, he never truly retired. He continued working on the farm up until this last summer. His favorite passion was his beloved seedling dahlias. He cared for them with all the love and gentleness given to children. He had a green thumb and could grow just about anything, from his giant lemons to his kiwis. He loved the outdoors and animals. Some of his favorite times were spent with family fishing, hunting, clamming, visiting his home on the Kenai River in Alaska, enjoying the changing seasons at the dahlia farm, and most of all being out on the tractors working among the dahlias.Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Nick Gifts.

Trial Gardens

SpokaneJoni Beasley

This year has been a pretty good one for the Spokane Trial Garden. The weather actually co-operated , unlike last year, and we had some pretty spectacular blooms.As per usual we had too many entries...we swear next year to limit it to 35 or less. 50 was the grand total for the year and we had no losses of entries. Bob Beasley, the director andpretty much the only one working the garden, did a great job and he spent more hours at Manito Park than ever before. Takes a lot of hours to do justice to 150 plants!!!We added sand and more mulch for drainage this year and it helped tremendously. The plan for 2008 is to add more of the same. The Parks Department did another soil analysis this spring and the appropriate required nutrients were added in also. Soil analysis is on the schedule for next spring again. We thank all of the judges that came and did the judging for us this fall and the scores were added up and sent in. A 58% pass rate of 85% or above was pretty good we thought.  As this is being written there has been no killing frost, but frost or no, it is all going to be finished up the weekend of October 27th. We plan on doing the Trial Garden thru 2009 and hope by then we can find someone to take it over for the society. Takes a lot of dedication and time to do this but the results are pretty darned satisfying!!!!!  Come to Spokane and see it all next year.

Victoria Trial GardenBarry Willoughby

As a heads up, I have sent an-mail on to Bill Kohlshreiber that we are awaiting word from the Horticulture Center of the Pacific on improvements we have requested for 2008. This is a cost item for them and if they won't upgrade the site we will be closing. We spent about $1000 of Dahlia Club money plus substantial labor upgrading our previous site that they moved us from two years ago and we made every effort to make the new site work. However, our experience over the past two years shows there are drainage problems and clay soil that need improvement. We asked for a commitment for improvements by the middle of October, 2007 so that we could advise the ADS in time for notification if they are not committed to upgrading the site.

The shows are now over, judging has been finalized and I am trying to get our trial garden results out before October 10th. All of the analysis is done with 7 of 22 passing but there is more paperwork to complete before we can mail the results out. If the trial garden closes I will have much less work to do and even if it does not I will be seeking someone to take this job over in the very near future after 15 years of looking after it. Mary and I are slowing down and we don't see us with our present level of involvement in the dahlia world beyond commitments we have made for 2008.

Image LibraryClaudia Biggs

A new program is available for the winning photos of the 2006 ADS Photo Contest. I am currently working on the 2008 New Introductions program and hope to have it completed by the end of December.  If you have photos you want included, all I

need is the classification information, vendor and originator.  The Trial Garden scores and Seedling Bench Evaluations will be available to me soon from ADS.  The data sheet and release form were overlooked for publication in the ADS Bulletin, so you can use last year's or just send the information to me.  My addressis 3332 W. Elmhurst Ave, Spokane, WA 99208.  Cost of DVD is $11.

RECENT GLEANINGSHeard in the Northwest

Wayne Shantz

The repellent I used to deter earwigs from the leaves of my dahlias is as I said.  ANT (B) GONE by Ortho. It's a white powder and seems to work on both ants and earwigs. - Carlos Van Elsberg

Commercial grower, Phil Mingus, plans to call it quits. He hopes that his son will take over the business. Otherwise, he will sell it and has an offer for $20,000 for his stock. He has pared his operation from 15 acres with 1500 varieties to 1 ½ acres with 300 varieties, mainly because of ill health.

Phil sells his tubers from $4 to $15 each. He sells cut flowers for $7 a baker’s dozen. His 35 Sebright bantam chickens take care of insects. He uses no pesticides and he doesn’t eat the tiny chickens. He insists that there are too many feathers and little meat. For more information, visit www.dahliasuppliers.com/mingus

Other Informative Dahlia Web Pages

http://www.members.shaw.ca:80/hydahlia/FEDworkshop.html http://www.kesdahlias.co.uk/ has many links to pertinent information about dahlias. http://www.colwooddahlias.com/  comes from a Canadian hybridizer who focuses on laciniated dahlias. For botanical nomenclature information, google International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.

Book for Organic GrowersLowenfels, Jeff and Lewis, Wayne. Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web. Portland: Timber Press, Inc., 2006. Price $24.95 US. Note: You can get a reduced price by buying used from www.bookfinder.com or amazon.com . For organic growers, this book is an excellent resource, possibly good as a Christmas gift. Notes from the 2007 ADS Convention and Annual Show in ChicagoCombat red spider organically. Spray with 1 cup of Canola oil to 1 ½ gallons of water. – Steve Meggos

Dr. Daal Saar, a molecular plant biologist, works and researches at Murray State U. in Murray, Kentucky. Currently, she attempts to answer two questions: 1. What can the

dahlia coccinea tell us about global warming? 2. How do organisms react to climactic changes?Saar statements follow:

In most dahlias, the ray flowers are sterile. Scientists currently have identified 36 different species dahlias. D. coccinea is the most prevalent and widespread species, growing all over

Mexico and Central America, located primarily at 4 to 5 thousand feet. The colors of this species are yellow, orange, red. They often have a compound leaf.

Most crosses of dahlias are between d. coccinea and d. sorensenii. In other words the hybrids that we see today have evolved from these 2 species.

The time to see dahlias growing in the wild is from mid-August to October since this is when they will be blooming. Like here, frost can always ruin the show.

The bicolor dahlias come from the d. coccinea species. Viruses will not survive in the soil if they do not have a live medium. Boosting plant vigor is healthy. She did not indicate that one brand or type of

fertilizer was better than another. Viruses can spread by your cutting devices. Do sterilize with a disinfectant. Mosaic symptoms usually develop over a span of 5 to 7 weeks. To control virus remove detected plants, avoid planting infected plants, and

disinfect tools with bleach. Dahlias can grow out of virus symptoms. When you see d. variabilis in your reading, the cross will most likely be between

d. coccinea and d. sorensenii. Most likely these crosses were the ones that made their way to Europe.

In Mexico, you will usually find dahlias growing in the wild at higher elevations, located in oak savannas, near road cuts and power lines, and in cloud forests up to 12,000 feet.

In their natural habitat, dahlias can grow in rocky ledges like we grow plants in a window box.

Formerly d. sorensenii was know as d. pinnata. D. pinnata is a hybrid cross between d. pinnata and d. variabilis.

Three tree dahlia species exist: d. imperialis, d. tenuicaulus, and d. excelsea. Tree dahlias can grow up to 30 feet tall.

Some dahlias grow for 2 years rather than just one. The subheading species is called Pseudodendron.

Dahlias in the wild tend to use mycorrhizae for subsistence.

From the Societies

Portland Dahlia SocietyLarry Smith

It was a busy growing season in 2007 for Portland members.  We had a very successful show with good competition due to a high number of blooms brought by guests from out of the area as well as from our members.  We were pleased to see many return exhibitors from afar.  PDS gave out a record amount of total prize money, topping $1500.  Thanks to our guests for bringing blooms and for helping to get entries in the trial garden judged.  Next year, we hope to have an even bigger exhibition as we host the 2008 PNDC show.  Our Board is kicking around ideas about how to increase participation even more, including considering adding novice and amateur arrangement and basket classes as well as categories for pre-juniors.  Please put our show on your 2008 calendar, Labor Day weekend at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby (20 miles south of Portland). The show season also found a substantial number of our members on the road supporting other shows and with good results.   Max Ollieu won bragging rights with Peach Delight, named Best Bloom in the Douglas County Dahlia Society show in Roseburg.  Jerry Rassmussen won double honors at the SODS show in Coos Bay when his Embrace captured Best Bloom and his Cornel was named Best Triple.  Margaret Kennedy was honored with Best Basket at more than one show. Gordon Jackman, who participated in eight shows this year, swept the arrangement categories.  More important that the winnings was the fun and friendship we experienced with members of other Societies. It is tradition in the Portland Society, since so many of our members travel to weekend shows out of the area, to schedule our annual garden tour for the last Sunday in September.  The weather normally is cooperative, but this year was an exception-rain all day.  The Portland area had not been blessed with such a day of steady rainfall for months before, and, of course, we had better weather for days following our tour date.  Fortunately, for those who braved the weather, the flowers still looked good and enthusiasm was high.  We visited the gardens of Mike Riordan and Scott McClintic, Ted and Margaret Kennedy, Mark and Laura Oldenkamp (and daughter's Heidi and Audrey), as well as a potluck lunch stop at the home of Henry and Mary Jane Sjoblom.  Vice President Teresa Bergman has put together some informative and educational programs for our meeting this year.  Our September meeting was held at Swan Island dahlias among acres and acres of dahlia splendor as a perfect backdrop.  Over 50 members attended this meeting and were treated to a dinner put together by Marge Gitts (including her famous lemon pies made with home grown lemons).  After dinner, Gordon

Jackman showed us how to put together baskets and arrangements.  In October, in addition to the traditional digging/dividing/storage demonstration panel, we were treated a seedling contest featuring a tableful impressive blooms.  The winner for Best Potential Show Flower was Bill Mishler's impressive orange/bronze ball (or is it a formal decorative?).  The Best Cut Flower champ was an orange collarette with long wispy yellow petaloids grown by Bob and Willie Hale.   October meeting also included a nip and tuck contest for 2008 Dahlia of the Year, with Chimicum Katie being selected by one vote over Weston's Spanish Dancer.  The first ballot resulted in a tie!   In October, we began offering a mentorship program for newer members, where they can learn the ins and outs of dahlia culture by picking the brains of our experienced members.  Each month, a designated "Mentor of the Month" is appointed to be available to answer questions in an informal setting, beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of our meetings.  Max Ollieu was our first Mentor, giving advice to four of our newer members.  We think this program has the potential to engage and retain our new members Member Ted Kennedy has done an excellent job updating our website, which now includes links to our monthly newsletter as well as a wealth of information valuable to all growers.  Readallabout it at www.portlanddahlia.com.

2007 Portland Dahlia Show Results

AWARD DAHLIA WINNER

Best Double Bloom Kenora Jubilee Mike RiordanBest Disc Bloom in Show Tahoma Twilight Larry SmithBest Double Triple Entry Kenora Jubilee Mike RiordanBest Disc Triple Entry Tahoma Hope Max OllieuBest Basket in Show Chimacum Troy Margaret KennedyBest Design in Show Classic Romance Gordon JackmanOpen Sweepstakes 197 points Mike RiordanAmateur Sweepstakes 261 points Max OllieuNovice Sweepstakes 81 points  Robert ChibanteJunior Sweepstakes 52 points  Heidi OldenkampLargest Bloom in Show Sir Alf Ramsey Teresa BergmanPeople’s Choice Verigated Waterlily  Ted KennedyBest “AA” in Show Clara Huston Teresa BergmanBest triple “AA” in Show Bloomquist Glow Mike IlerBest “A” in Show Kenora Jubilee Mike RiordanBest triple “A” in Show Kenora Jubilee Mike Riordan

Best “B” in Show Trengrove Mellenium Max OllieuBest triple “B” in Show Seedling Mike IlerBest “BB” in Show Rycroft Zoe Robert ChibanteBest triple “BB” in Show Esmerelda Mike RiordanBest miniature in Show Martina Robert ChibanteBest triple miniature in Show Aitara Caress Eric ToedtliBest Ball in Show Mary’s Jomanda Mike IlerBest Triple Ball in Show Mary’s Jomanda Mike IlerBest Miniature Ball in Show Ms. Kennedy Kathy IlerBest Triple Miniature Ball Downham Royal Jerry RassmussenBest Pompon in Show Mi Wong Tiffany BoatwrightBest Triple Pompon in Show Mi Wong Tiffany BoatwrightBest Waterlily in Show Pam Howden Max OllieuBest Triple Waterlily Pam Howden Larry SmithBest Stellar in Show Alloway Candy Aaron RiddlingBest Triple Stellar Primrose Pet  Max OllieuBest Anemone in Show Comet Eric ToedtliBest Triple Anemone Alpen Fury Max OllieuBest Collerette in Show Alpen Diamond Gordon JackmanBest Triple Collerette Beaucoup Amis Max OllieuBest Mignon Single Rival Larry SmithBest Triple Mignon Single Rembrandt Larry SmithBest Orchid in Show Tahoma Twilight Larry SmithBest Triple Orchid in Show Tahoma Hope  Max OllieuBest Peony in Show Brenda Sue Larry SmithBest Triple Peony in Show Miss Muffet Larry Smith

DOUGLAS COUNTY DAHLIA SHOW 9/22-9/23/07Ginger Clack

Best 1 bloom, Peach Delight Max OllieuBest 3 blooms Irene's Pride Mike IlerAA Masurao Mike IlerA, Nov-AA or A Verda Cris PritchettAM-AA or A Boneventure Janet FoxB-Nov Reginald Keene Bob Chiante3B Ruskin Andrea Max OllieuBB,AM-BB Taratahi Lilac Lexa Cookson

Nov-BB Cherwell Goldcrest Cris Pritchet3BB Misthill Contessa Christy ParksAM-3BB Embrace Janet FoxNov-3BB Ryecrift Zoe Bob ChibanteMIN Alden Snowlodge Ray SturmanAM-MIN Weston Spanish Dancer Cora VanderveldenNov-MIN Blended Beauty Cris Pritchett3MIN,AM-Nov Kathy's Choice Michael CanningBA,Nov-BA Cornel Cris PritchettAM-BA Snoho Peggy Janet Fox3BA Mary's Jomanada Christy ParksMB Pocrates Kathy Iler3MB Creamy Christy ParksPP Pacific Revival Christy Parks3PP Little Willo Ron ClackST Alloway Candy Janet Fox3ST Camano Pet Mike IlerWL,AM-WL Wildwood Marie Janet FoxNov-WL Cameo Emily Gorsch3WL Pam Howden Kathy IlerPE Miss Muffit Art Wuerth3PE Elvira Emily GorschAN Melqua Nebula Ron Clack3AN Purple Puff Sonia HallCOL Pooh Emily Gorsch3COL Sean C Teresa NohrenbergS Sarah II Elva Sellens3S Normandy Lemon Drop Max OllieuMS Inflammation Emily Gorsch3MS Matthew Juul Max OllieuO Natalie's Star Art Wuerth3O Amy's Star Kathy IlerNO Peach Star Elva Sellens3NO Lorona Dawn Kathy IlerNX Horse Feathers Emily Gorsch3NX Mingus Eleanor S Max OllieuSmalllest PP Pacific Revival Ginger ClackLRG Masurao Mike Iler1st yr, 2nd+ sldg sldg Ted Kennedy

FLOAT Fern Irene Cheryle HawkinsFOY Rose Toscano  Ron ClackPC Northlake Hertiage Christy ParksBest Bsk, B Bsk Alfred Grille Christy ParksBest AM Bsk Martina Mike IlerBest Nov Bsk Weston Pirate Kathy IlerBB Bsk, LAC Bsk Umpqua Little Bits Christy ParksMin Bsk Tonya Christy ParksPP Bsk Linda Harris/Bowen Eleanor ShantzOT Bsk Valley Porcupine Christy ParksGrand Slam Bsk Mixed varieties Eleanor ShantzMini Slam Bsk Mixed varieties Kathy IlerBest ARR Harvest Moon Gordon JackmanBest AM ARR Morning & Night Margaret KennedyBest Nov ARR Autumns Colors Ted Kennedy

Lane County Dahlia SocietyLexa Cookson

The Lane County Dahlia Society has had a very busy Fall.In September, we held our 44th Annual Show at the Oakway Center in Eugene. We had over 30 exhibitors from Washington and Oregon. We would really like to thank all of our out-of-town visitors, who took the time to join us for the weekend. Because of your participation, we had one of our best shows ever. The Mall was just ablaze with color and excitement. We shared the dahlia with a lot of people that weekend, and signed-up 16 new Members. As Fall settled in, we enjoyed viewing the ADS 2006 Photo contest Winners at our October Meeting. Once again, Claudia Biggs put together a great DVD. We also took time in the meeting for a "Dahlia Show-and-Tell". Members were encouraged to bring in dahlias from there garden and share the meaning behind them. Some folks brought old favorites, some shared new favorites, and many people brought blooms that reminded them of others. Our November Meeting consisted of our annual Tuber dividing demonstrations. Once again, this meeting proved to be a big draw, with almost 40 folks in attendance. Lots of new and old ideas were exchanged, and 5 more new members were signed-up. 

With December quickly approaching, we are all focused on getting those tubers out of the ground and stored securely for the winter. Once this is accomplished , we can sit back and enjoy the Holidays with Family and Friends, before we jump back into the Dahlia Calendar in January, with our first meeting of the year. As the year ends, we would like to take a moment to remember those who passed away during the last year. Our Society lost 3 beloved members: Dick Canning, Roy Larson, and Davis Fox Sr. We miss them deeply, but are so thankful for their friendship. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Lane Co. Dahlia Society! 

Lane Co. Dahlia Society 44th Annual Show Award Highlights Best (1) Double Bloom    Peach Delight                Eleanor ShantzBest(1) Disc Bloom          Pooh                            Mark OldencampBest (3) Double Bloom    Northland Primrose        Mike IlerBest (3) Disc Bloom        05-B                            Margaret GittsBest Basket                                                      Eleanor ShantzBest Design Arrangement                                    Ginger ClackLargest Blur Ribbon Winner Bryn Terfell                Mike IlerSmallest Blue Ribbon Winner  Moor Place            Jeff JeffsSweepstakes: Advanced Amateur            Mark Oldencamp         213 PointsAmateur                          Wayne Lobaugh            262 PointsNovice                               Emily Gorsh                277 PointsJunior                                Heidi Oldencamp          107 PointsBasket                               Christy Parks             60 PointsDesign                                Margaret Kennedy        5 Points

Inland Empire Dahlia SocietyJoni Beasley

        Well the show is over and the fall is here and we all are scrambling to dig and store our tubers for the winter.   We all feel that even with the usual surprise glitches we had at show time, it was a great show that was held September 15. Thank  you to the Ball's , Mike Valler, Lynn Weger and the Marieneau family for coming from out of town to help us fill the floor with blooms.  Norm and Dawn Anselmo were awarded the PNDC Gold Medal at our pre-show set up. Much deserved...congrats!

Summer was spent with our own projects and a picnic held at the Anselmo's. When the shows began around the Pacific Northwest several members managed to go to the shows held in Montana, Victoria's PNDC show, Seattle and  North Idaho.  Thank you to all who had us in their homes and banquets. Many tourist things as well as trips to the local growers in those places were sandwiched in. Now we are ready to elect a new slate of officers and have our anual Holiday Party in December. We all miss the months that we don't see the "outside" world ofdahlia members and special friends  but we  are all ready making plans  to go to the  the shows next fall.

INLAND EMPIRE DAHLIA SHOWSept. 15th, 2007

BEST OF SHOW

Single AA Jewel Huston Dawn AnselmoTriple AA Danum Meteor Mike VallerSingle A Kenora Jubilee Tom BallTriple A Woodland’s Wild Thing Roy BartonSingle B Skipley Twyla Tom BallTriple B Magic Moment Mike VallerSingle BB Clara Marie Carol KonitzerTriple BB Urchin Greg SmithSingle Mini Pineapple Lollipop Tom BallSingle Ball Mary’s Jomanda Claudia BiggsTriple Ball Jessie G Mike VallerSingle MB Ms. Kennedy Elizabeth HawkinsTriple MB Lakeview Karrah Dawn AnselmoSingle Pom Mi Wong Gary PlowmanTriple Pom Glen Place Tom BallSingle W/L Pam Howden Mike VallerSingle COL. Alpen Diamond Darcy BentleyTriple COL. Beaucoup Amis Delsie MarienauSingle OR Seedling 4501 Tom BallSingle Single Delta Red Pat BentleySingle Peony Elvira Pat BentleyTriple Anemone Alpen Fury Elizabeth HawkinsSingle Stellar Camano Pet Claudia BiggsTriple Stellar Camano Pet Mike Valler

Single Novelty FD Valley Porcupine Tom BallTriple Novelty FD Valley Porcupine Dawn AnselmoSingle Laciniated Citron de Cap Mike VallerTriple Mignon Single Daisy Pat BentleyBEST SPECIALSBest Bloom in Show Kenora Jubilee Tom BallVase 5 B’s Mingus Bobby Mike Valler Vase 5 BB’s Taratahi Lilac Norm Anselmo Vase 5 Mini’s Sugartown Sunrise Mike VallerNW 3 Blooms Clearview David Geri O’ConnerForeign Peach Delight Tom BallFull House Norm AnselmoNW 1 Bloom Ivory Palace-- Dawn AnselmoVase 10 Poms Tom BallDahlia of Year HollyQuintessence Pat BentleySmallest Pom Doria Lynn WegerPre- 1950 Kidds Climax Norm Anselmo

Sweepstakes Novice --Lynn Nolan Amateur -- Elizabeth Hawkins Open – Roy BartonBest ADS Seedling Marie’s Sunshine Gary PlowmanBest Basket In Show Beaucoup Amis Delsie MarinenauBest Arrangement in Show Delsie MarinenauBest Bouquet Elizabeth Hawkins

Total Blooms 984

Victoria Dahlia Society Ken Beswick / Paul McKittrick

 The Victoria Dahlia Society (VDS) has completed a very successful summer dahlia season.  This year in August, the VDS co-hosted our annual 2007 Dahlia Exhibition with the Pacific Northwest Dahlia Conference (PNDC).  The Dahlia Exhibition was a huge success -  with a number of PNDC growers showing up from other Clubs.  We had over 1,000 blooms in our Show - it was quite impressive!  On the Saturday of the Show, we had the PNDC general meeting to discuss the business at hand.  Tom Ball was recognized for the great job that he has done over the years as our Judges Chair - as he is stepping down from that role at the end of the year.

 On July 28th, we had a successful Judging Seminar where Tom Ball was our guest speaker.   Our Club had a good turnout at our annual summer club BBQ in August.  Thanks to Phil Newton and Teresa Thom for hosting this event in their great backyard.  Good food, good bocce games, and good times were had by all. As well as participating in our own Victoria Dahlia Show, a number of our club numbers went to other dahlia club shows in British Columbia and Washington state.  These members faired quite well at these shows - getting their dahlias on a number of Head Tables.  See the attached document for the list of winners at the 2007 Victoria Show. Hopefully everyone's summer growing season went well (ours was a little cool and damp), and that your fall tuber digging activities yield you a good crop.

Victoria Dahlia Society ShowAugust 25 – 26, 2007

Paul McKittrick

Cultivar ExhibitorFlower of the Show Camano Sitka C. FeatherbyBest Triple in Show Pam Howden C. Young-DavisBest AA Single Hy Mom S. Wilson

Best A Single Vassio MeggosP. McKittrickBest A Triple Spartacus P. McKittrickBest B Single Peach Delight C. FeatherbyBest B Triple Amy K C. Young-DavisBest BB Single 06D4 R. HellensBest BB Triple R. Bruce C. Young-DavisBest Miniature Single Tui Connie C. Young-DavisBest Miniature Triple R. Joan R. HellensBest Ball Single Mary’s Jomanda S. WilsonBest Ball Triple Mary’s Jomanda R. HellensBest Miniature Ball Single Pocrates E. JohnsonBest Miniature Ball Triple Lulu Island Dad A/R. KuiperBest Pompon Single Lismore Moonlight R. CluettBest Pompon Triple Moore Place S. WilsonBest Waterlily Single Juul’s Lotus B/M. Willoughby

Best Waterlily Triple Pam Howden C. Young-DavisBest Stellar Single Camano Pet E. JohnsonBest Stellar Triple 05C7 R. HellensBest AOV Single Honka J/V. StephensBest AOV Triple Maria Schnugg J/V. StephensBest Container of Dahlias Clearview David C. FeatherbyBest Five Bloom Entry Mary’s Jomanda S. WilsonBest Nine Bloom Entry Yellow Baby C. Young-Davis Best Three Different Laciniated Colwood Faith J. Vandament

Colwood GailColwood Crush

Best Flower of the Year Camano Sitka C. FeatherbyLargest Dahlia Bloom Inland Dynasty C. FeatherbyBest 25 Years & Over Lavender Athalie C. FeatherbyBest Origination Trengrove Millenium A/R. KuiperOuthouse Dahlia Whirly Gig II R. CluettBest Photography various L. VantreightBest Basket Chilson’s Pride G/D. RendallBest Bowl or Vase Taratahi Lilac G/D. RendallBest Lily Pond Floater Cameo J/V. StephensBest Seedling xx L. ManwellBest ADS Seedling Bench Keating Elite B/M. Willoughby

Open Aggregate R. HellensAmateur Aggregate C. Young-DavisNovice Aggregate C. Featherby

Hosting the 2007 PNDC Show was exciting and produced another successful show! We had over 1,000 blooms on display. We are always grateful for the support from our friends from other dahlia societies who attended the show.

SOUTHERN OREGON DAHLIA SOCIETYKathy Iler

The Southern Oregon Dahlia Society would like to thank everyone who participated in our 51st Annual Show. Twenty eight exhibitors staged 987 blooms the weekend of September and 9th at Pony Village Mall. We now have 14 new members, thanks to the enthusiasm of our volunteers at the information table. SODS board members will be busy in the coming months planning programs and events for 2008!

Best One Bloom EMBRACE Jerry RasmussenBest Three Bloom CORNEL Jerry RasmussenSingle AA SIR ALF RAMSEY Jerry RasmussenTriple AA IVORY PALACES Paulette WoodwardSingle A ELMA ELIZABETH June AdamsSingle B KENORA LISA Jeff JeffsTriple B TRENGROVE MILLENIUM Bob ChibanteSingle BB GATESHEAD FESTIVAL Jerry RasmussenTriple BB CHILSON’S PRIDE Jerry RasmussenSingle Miniature KATHY’S CHOICE Jerry RasmussenTriple Miniature ELIZABETH HAMMETT Ray SturmanSingle Ball CORNEL Jerry RasmussenTriple Ball CORNEL Jerry RasmussenSingle Miniature Ball LITTLE CAESAR Ray SturmanSingle Porn IRISH MISS Jerry RasmussenTriple Porn LISMORE MOONLIGHT Ron ClackSingle Stellar WOODLAND’S MERINDA Elva SellensSingle Waterlily JOAL LOUISA Emily GorschTriple Waterlily CAMEO Elva SellensSingle Peony ELVIRA Emily GorschTriple Peony ELVIRA Jeff JeffsSingle Anemone EV YELLOW PUFF Sor,ia HallTriple Anemone LUCKY DUCKY Ron ClackSingle Collarette ALPEN CHERUB Elva SellensTriple Collarette SEAN C Teresa NohrenbergSingle Single RAEANN’S SUNSHINE Elva SellensTriple Single MOHAWK VALLEY SUN Teresa NohrenbergSingle Mignon ALPEN M&M Cora VanderveldenTriple Mignon BONNE ESPERANCE Teresa NohrenbergSingle Orchid HONKA Elva SellensTriple Orchid HY ARGENT Elva SellensSingle Novelty Open CHRISTMAS STAR Elva SellensTriple Novelty Open EBONY STAR Ginger ClackSingle Novelty Dbl. VALLEY PORCUPINE Elva SellensTriple Novelty Dbl. VALLEY PORCUPINE Elva SellensNovice Sweepstakes 127 points Bob ChibanteAmateur Sweepstakes 124 points Jeff JeffsOpen Sweepstakes 111 points Jerry RasmussenBest Basket VISTA LINDSEY Christy Parks

Best Arrangement “JEWELS OF THE GARDEN” Ginger Clack

SEATTLE DAHLIA SOCIETYTom Ball

The Seattle Dahlia Society had a very successful show. Our new show chairpersons James and Donna Chavez did a marvelous job and everything ran smoothly from set up to take down. This was the Seattle Dahlia Society’s 50th show and many growers came to help us celebrate. We thank those who traveled from Canada and Spokane who attended, entered blooms, judged and in general helped out. Our thanks also to Dennis and Claudia Biggs who spent the day after judging taking pictures to produce a DVD to be shown at the society meeting in January. We look forward to seeing many of you next year at our show.

SEATTLE DAHLIA SHOW – SEPT. 1-2, 2007

Best Anemone Comet Michael Johnson Best Stellar Camano Pet Dick Ambrose Best Triple Stellar 05C7 Seedling Ralph Hellens Best Waterlily Wildwood Marie Dick Williams Best triple Waterlily WildwoodMarie Irene Walker Best triple pom Pop Willo Dick Williams Best pom Pop Willo Dick Williams Best Miniature Ball Odyssey Dick Williams Best triple Min Ball Chimacum Troy Ralph Hellens Best Ball Mary’s Jomanda Hills & Nancy Collins Best Triple Ball Mary’s Jomanda Woodrow White Best Triple B Hamari Accord James Chavez Best Miniature GW’s Babe Ralph Hellens Best Triple Mini R Joan Ralph Hellens Best Triple AA Inland Dynasty James Chavez ADS Seedling Achievement 436 Seedling BJ Morris Best B Trengrove Millenium Ralph Hellens Best Triple A Elma Elizabeth Ralph Hellens Best AA Inland Dynasty BJ Morris

Best Dahlia of Show Dorothy May Tom Ball Best A Elma Elizabeth Ralph Hellens Best Triple B Camano Roo Dick Ambrose Best Single BB Dorothy May Tom BallBest Single of Yr Embrace Ralph Hellens Best Triple of Yr Embrace James Chavez Best Intro 06-07 R Hydrogen Ralph Hellens Best Sin. Amer. Orig Wildwood Glory Larry Manwell Best Trip Amer. Orig Jax Char Norm & Laurie Milliard Best Single For.Orig Mary’s Jomanda Dick Williams Best Single NW Orig Skipley Spot of Gold Hills & Nancy Collins Best Triple NW Orig Cactus Jack Janet Gordon-Thatcher Best Single 25 yrs Salmon Rays Dick Williams Best Triple 25 yrs Salmon Rays Dick Williams Best Laciniated Jennie Irene Walker Largest Most Perfect Sir Alf Ramsey Ralph Hellens Smallest Most Perf. Little Matthew Diane Blackmer Best Novice Dahlia Taratahi Lilac Laurie & Norm Milliard Best Single Nov Valley Porcupine Michael Johnson Best Triple Nov Valley Porcupine Michael Johnson Best Triple N/O 07LE1 Seedling Lou Eckhoff Best Mignon Single Rival Dave & Diane Blackmer Best Triple MS BJ’s Barbara BJ Morris Best Triple Peony 640 Seedling BJ Morris Best Single Orchid 05R1 Seedling Richard Johnson Best Triple Orchid Tahoma Star Hills & Nancy Collins Best Single Delta Red Hills & Nancy Collins Best Peony Bishop of Llandaff Marc Norman Best Collarette Alpen Diamond Michael Johnson Best Old Fashioned Bouquet Irene Walker Best Arr by Amateur Pola Bontoyan Best Arr by a Junior Alicia Kappler Best Arr by Adv Amateur Char Crawford Best Arrangement by Man Pam Howden Jack Crawford Best Arr by Amateur and Best Arrangement of Show Cora Schlecter Best Basket by Novice and Best BB basket Donna Chavez Best Basket Miniature Dahlias Dave Eldridge

Best Basket of Others Dave Eldridge Best Basket of Poms Jack Crawford Best basket of Mixed and Best Basket of Show Dave Eldridge Best Basket of Mixed BBs Donna Chavez Best Triple by Amateur Snoho Doris Hills & Nancy Collins

AND FINALLY!I would take this opportunity to wish each of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Honuka and a Joyous New Year. I wish each of you the best in whatever you undertake. I heartily thank those of you who took the time to write something for this newsletter. Without your inputs we would not be able to publish it. As you know, Joni Beasley and Bill Swanstrom will be the PNDC Judges Chairs, so next year, please send your reports to them promptly. I shall finish off this year by completing the ADS Judges roster for all of the PNDC Judges. If you havn’t sent in a report yet, please get it to me as soon as possible so that I may complete this task and deliver all of the records to Joni Beasly. Our next newsletter will be published in March. Please be thinking about writing something for it. Soil preparation, tips on planting, etc. Keep in mind that two or more people collaborating on an informational article is also a great idea. Tom

Trengrove Millinium Photo by Claudia Biggs