RE: Chicago-- evaluations

**Lynn Jenkins j*@iquest.net**

Jeff and committees past and future:
I'm just really curious as to why there were no evaluations for the meetings.
Lynn

At 12:34 PM 8/21/2003, you wrote:

Yo Everyone on GWL
Nancy and I stayed for the Tuesday tours into Chicago proper.  There is no
question that the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Botanical Garden are
great, but between you me and the fencepost, the Tuesday tour was the best
of the whole meeting!!.  The Garfield Conservatory was fascinating,
especially in context with its role in a major revitalization in a whole
neighborhood that was down in the dumps for many decades.  The green roof on
top of City Hall was very interesting, again remembering that it has spawned
over 40 green rooftops in both commercial and private dwellings in the
Chicago area in just two years.  Then the best of all - the plantings
throughout the city in the area of the lake right into the middle of the
city.  It was breath taking.
Having been involved with the planning of the Philadelphia meeting a few
years ago, I completely understand the tension in the planning among all the
potential sites for GWAA visits.  The politics can get brutal.  Often the
solution to the conflicts is to have the "losers" lined up for the post
meeting tours on Tuesday.  Now Nancy and I will be looking very closely at
those post meeting tours, they might be as good as what we had in the
meeting.
To all involved in planning and running the Chicago meeting -  thanks and
well done.  The hotel was not great, but the local committee has nothing to
do with that and garden writers seem to find a way to have fun in almost any
circumstance.
As has been my experience in all the meetings I've attended in 23 years, I
came home with some work that I would never have lined up if for not being
at the meeting and shooting the breeze over some beers.  There is work to be
had on the network, but sometimels you have to actually be there to take
advantage of it.
Bill Thomas is in charge of next year's program, and I can assure you all
that it is one tough job.  At the same time, anyone who has a idea about
what they'd like to see happen at the meeting especially in the seminar
sessions - don't hesitate for a minute to shoot an note to Bill with your
idea.  I've got two ideas to float by him.  As the "Hampton Gardener" can
attest, having the meeting in Long Island will be a good thing.
Later,
Jeff Ball

-----Original Message-----
From: gardenwriters-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[g*@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of Sheri Ann
Richerson
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 12:53 PM
To: 'Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum'
Subject: RE: [GWL] Chicago

I just want to say that the Chicago symposium was great. For anyone who
has not attended one, I would strongly encourage you to attend next
year.

I know some of the reasons in the past that I have not attended are work
obligations or monetary issues. I just want to say that allowing these
to take a back seat for the week is well worth it.

The contacts that you make face-to-face, the networking, the input...it
is all great.

For those whom I met, it was so nice to see all of you. Lon especially
was a surprise to me. I imagined him as a grumpy older man...what a
shock when I saw him!

Jeff L. was a blast the entire time. That doesn't seem to come through
on the list all the time.

There were numerous others I met as well.

I will shut up now and try to get back to planting and writing.

See you all next year!
Sheri

Do you like gardening? Then visit http://www.exoticgardening.com

Do you need a freelance writer, editor or speaker?
Contact Sheri Ann Richerson
(765) 674-6167
SheriAnnRicherson@exoticgardening.com
http://sheriannricherson.exoticgardening.com

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Organic-Gardening" <organic-gardening@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Organic-Gardening" <organic-gardening@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters

_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Organic-Gardening" <organic-gardening@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters