RE: Rather sad
gardenchat@hort.net
  • Subject: RE: Rather sad
  • From: &* B* <g*@netsurfusa.net>
  • Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:43:30 -0400
I can say I have met many of Auralie's NY Fed Club. I was invited to speak
to the club some years back and must say everyone I met was great. That
included Auralie and Chet for sure. I was welcomed like royalty and everyone
went out of their way to make me welcome. I still hear from an occasional
member on occasion. 
	
Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens,LLC
www.munchkinnursery.com
Garden Writer - Photographer -  Lecturer



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gardenchat@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of Aplfgcnys@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 3:44 PM
To: gardenchat@hort.net
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Rather sad

I really feel the need to comment here.  I have just returned from the
New York State Federated Garden Clubs' Fall Conference - their big
annual meeting. We have attended this meeting every year since 1987.
(Chet is a garden-clubber, too, and served for eight years on the State
Board.) On the way home, we were remembering some who are no
longer with us, and told each other how very fortunate we have been to
have had the association with these great people for so many years.
Of course, like every group in the world, there are the few rotten apples,
but they don't usually last very long.  But as for being "snooty," I can't
imagine a less "snooty" bunch.  In my role as Chm. of the Horticulture
Schools program, I have had the good fortune to work with people all
across the state who are really dedicated to learning about growing
and showing.  In my 22 years in this job, only once have I encountered
a problem, and that was a person who was more concerned with control
than anything else.  I am just very thankful for all the many friends I have
made over the years because of our shared interests in garden club 
activities.
Auralie
 
In a message dated 9/19/2010 12:50:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
kmrsy@comcast.net writes:

Noreen,
This speaks volumes about relying on second hand information.  The best 
thing to do is find out for yourself.

There are "snooties" everywhere and there are "overly sensetives" 
everywhere 
as well.  But I doubt that any one entire group is made up of just one kind 
of person.  If you're interested in something, go for it.  Encounter 
snooties?  Just find your nitch.  If it doesn't work out; well, try 
something else.

I really like the idea of a probationary period.  It really gives people a 
chance to increase their knowledge and then puts them on a more even 
footing 
with the rest of the group.

I've only been gardening since about 1990 and I almost exclusively went 
with 
mailorder from the start though I did eventually branch out to local 
nurseries a bit.  I've run into my share of snooties but I've also run into 
some  "overly sensetives"  and even a few "ditzes".  Heck, I expect, in 
various peoples opinions, I fall into all three categories from time to 
time.  But for the most part I've encountered people who just enjoy 
gardening in one form or another and posess varying degrees of knowledge 
and 
generosity.  All bring something to the table.  There are a few that I 
avoid, as experience has shown that I have a better time  with the nicer 
ones.

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <TeichFauna@aol.com>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2010 8:26 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Rather sad


> Sorry, I'm coming in on this a bit late.....
>
> I totally agree.  Here in Houston there are many different plant
> societies.  For years I heard about the snooty reputation, some more than 
> others.  I
> attended the shows to see the various plants that I had only  seen in
> books, make a wish list and buy the plants at the sales, since  back then 
> there
> was no internet, so you had to purchase  locally.  Garden club or society
> plant sales were and still are for  the most part, the best place to 
> purchase
> the more unusual and hard to find  plants (at a cheaper price than online)
> that actually do well in the area...and  get first hand info from 
> experienced
> growers.   I was pleasantly  surprised to see that the people were not
> snooty at all.  I found them to  be very eager to share their passion and
> knowledge.  I joined those groups  that I had the most interest in that 
> particular
> plant group.  I avoided  even trying to join the orchid society because I
> had heard they were the  worst.  I have now been a member for 3 years and 
> was
> upset that I hadn't  joined sooner.
>
> Times have changed, membership to a society is no  longer considered as
> prestigious as it once was 25+ years ago.  From  what I was told, there 
> were
> waiting lists to join the various plant societies,  and one had to have a
> recommendation to join.  Plants were much harder to  obtain and therefore 
> cost
> much more, so membership was pretty limitted to those  that could afford 
> the
> plants to begin with.   But all this has  changed, and those members that
> tried to maintain these standards  are no longer around.   Nowadays, I 
> find
> that the society members are  just extremely generous and passionate about
> their plants, and eager to pass on  excess plants and information to 
> anyone
> that shows a legitimate interest in  learning......not just obtaining free
> plants.   They are especially  accepting of members that participate as 
> well.
> Unfortunately there are  those that are just out for what they can get. 
> Some
> societies have a  newcomers group  (I laughingly call it a probationary
> period) that is  required before becoming a member.......but in actuality 
> this
> is the best  thing.  Newbies learn the basics by going to members houses
> once a  month to learn about certain genera, growing methods, etc. and 
> given
> starter plants to try.  By the time the two year period is up, they have a
> pretty good collection and knowledge about the plant group and know if 
> they
> want  to join or not.  Many drop out after a couple months finding out 
> that
> they  aren't as into the particular plant as they thought........... but 
> many
> stay and  become active productive members.  These groups are social as
> well  as educational, and highly rewarding, but mostly to those that  
show 
> an
> interest or share their passion.
>
> Noreen
> zone 9
> Texas Gulf Coast
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 7/29/2010 9:25:30 PM Central Daylight Time,
> Aplfgcnys@aol.com writes:
>
> You  should at least look at their shows.  I admit some clubs are
> "snooty,"  though less and less these days, but Federated clubs,
> as opposed to Garden  of America clubs, are real meritocracies.
> You are appreciated for the work  you do, and status is gained
> by achievement. Aside from that, I just feel  that the pleasure you
> would get from a well-organized show is something you  should
> experience.  I admit I'm a bit nuts, but a flower show is a  special
> event.  Everyone involved is trying to make the best effort  possible.
> You demonstrate what you have accomplished both  artistically
> by flower arrangements, and horticulturally by exhibiting the  very
> best specimens you can grow.  It's a real ego trip, I know,  but
> I really think you would enjoy a good flower  show.

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