Voting for the Dykes Medal

In a message dated 96-09-22 07:29:24 EDT, you write:

>This time, there's NO-ONE to vote for!  It's like the DYKES... you get the
>WISTER and that's who you have to vote for - because there are no real
>alternatives
>
>
Before I comment on this I want to assure everyone that I strongly support
changing current rules to have the same numbers of each type of iris on the
Dykes eligibility list, and will vote to change the rules accordingly. BUT, I
must say, Carolyn that I have never had a problem selecting an iris to vote
for the Dykes.  But then, I have voted in the past for such irises as
ROSEMARY'S DREAM (a fabulous MTB), BUMBLEBEE DEELITE (another fabulous MTB),
PINK HAZE (a marvelous Siberian), KING OF KINGS (another marvelous Siberian),
etc.  I have voted for TBs, e.g. BEFORE THE STORM, SILVERADO, VANITY, but
only about 1/4 of the time.  The fact that the iris I vote for may lose, and
often does, does not bother me.  It is my vote, and I vote for what I think
is the best.  

Theoretically, the TB that wins the Wister is supposed to be the best TB that
year.  And there is always a Wister Medal winner on the Dykes eligibility
list, and so far it has always won the Dykes!  One of the reasons this issue
has taken on a lot of steam at present is, I believe, that some people are
unhappy that BEFORE THE STORM won, and that next year the only TB eligible
will be a space age iris, i.e. THORNBIRD.  I think a better reason for
changing the system is that at present the TB on the list gets a concentrated
vote from those who will only vote for a TB, thereby knocking out the chances
of any non-TB. In any event, I intend supporting a change, but I will
continue to try to persuade all judges to treat all types of irises equally
as AIS standards require.

By the way, BLUE-EYED BLOND is simple magnificant Intermediate Bearded  (IB)
iris.... grows everwhere, blooms profusely, never rots, and has lovely formed
flowers...wonder how many votes it will get?  

Clarence Mahan, zone 7 (sort of), Virginia, mother's maiden name: Crouch, of
the Tennessee Crouch's.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index