The American Iris Society 
News & Notes
December 1 2014
In This Issue
Remember AIS in December

One deadline we had not mentioned here or previously put on our calendar page, because it is IRS rather than AIS, is your opportunity to have tax deductions for contributions to the AIS.  December 31st is the IRS deadline for making such contributions.

You can learn more about the process and funds to which contributions can be designated here on the AIS website.  The AIS Foundation is the organization which handles donations for AIS and it has this website.

This is a great means of getting a tax deduction and supporting the AIS.  Thank you.
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 Welcome to the eighteenth regular issue of the AIS News & Notes.  Please let us know what you would like to see here.  And if you have notes you would like to add, or you would like to become a reporter, please let us know!  You can contact either Bob Pries or Wayne Messer with your comments or interest.
 
Looking at the 2015 Awards
 
Now that we know the 2014 AIS Iris Medal Winners, you can start thinking about the 2015 contenders.  The Draft Ballot for 2015 is now available for comment.  You can see the names of all the irises eligible for HM, AM, and Medals.  The final version which AIS Judges use for judging irises in the garden will be posted later.  You can see the draft (PDF) here.
You will be able to find the link for the final version (or an updated draft if the earlier link no longer works) on this page.

Learn how to become an AIS Judge so you can participate in the voting.  Typical requirements to becoming a judge are outlined here.  It's a great way to learn more about irises with classes and garden visits.
More Photos of Iris Winners Needed
 
One of the topics on the updated British Iris Society website is a complete list of the British Dykes Medal Winners.  In working with it on the Iris Wiki, I learned there are many of these winners without a picture in the wiki.  So I have added those to our list of winning irises where we need photos.  Can you help with any of these or the others on the list?

The photos needed list has been updated to remove those  irises where, thanks to your efforts, we now have at least one photo.   And we would appreciate more photos of all irises.

You can also see the list of British Dykes Medal Winners on the Iris Encyclopedia here.

Calling All Genealogists

 

Have you seen pictures of the founders of the American Iris Society? How did John Wister or Robert Sturtevant look? How did their families look? To celebrate the 100th Birthday of the AIS we'd like to trace the family trees of our founding fathers and mothers. It might be possible to contact living relatives of these founders, who would share pictures and biographical information to enrich our understanding and appreciation of these men and women who had a vision of an organization that we share.

 

If you enjoy genealogy and would like to be on the team to do research, please contact Susan Grigg, Marketing and Publicity, irismom@nc.rr.com

 

"Historic" Iris Popularity Poll

 

Historic in this case does not mean the same as for historic irises, at least 30 years ago.  However it was published in a historic Region Bulletin, the 50th Anniversary of the Region 1 Bulletin, published in 1998.  You can see that bulletin here (PDF).  Page 20 has the popularity poll results.  The bulletin has lots of other interesting articles about the history of Region 1 and some of its members.

The poll was unusual in that all types of irises were eligible.  And all ages.  It was referred to as their annual "no-holds-barred-no-class-excluded" balloting.  Does anyone know if this tradition is continuing?

I should say that finding this was serendipity.  In searching for references for the item about the AIS upcoming 100th Anniversary in 2020, this bulletin was among the items found.  And looking at its table of contents led to the popularity poll. 

Region 1 has plenty of other topics of interest on its website.  I will highlight one more, another of the Region Bulletins which describes various treatments for the iris borer.  It is the Winter 2002 Region 1 Bulletin you can see here (PDF).  Iris borer articles begin on page 7.  Note - these bulletins and some other issues can be found on their Library page.  And the iris borer information can also be found on the Iris Basics page.  Kudos to Region 1 and their Bulletin and website editors!
AIS Youth Deadlines

 

A couple of items for and about the AIS Youth members.  For AIS Youth members, the last day to submit designs for the cover page of the youth newsletter, The Iris Fan, is December 31, 2014.  Details were in your most recent newsletter.

And for everyone, a reminder that the nominations of AIS Youth members for the Clarke Cosgrove Award will be due January 31, 2015.  You can see the guidelines for nomination and award details here.  A great opportunity to honor our younger members.
A Cool Jigsaw
 
In case you don't have snow yet, here is a almost white TB iris, 'Solomon's Seal'.  Again there are two versions.  The Standard version (fewer pieces) and the Harder version with twice as many pieces.

And a tip for those of you who would like to go back to a previous puzzle you have solved.  Or those who share a computer with someone who has solved the puzzle.  There is a way to restart the puzzle from scratch.  Near the bottom towards the left hand side is a gear symbol.  Hover over this and a menu should come up having restart as a choice.  Click on restart and it will ask you if you really want to.  Choose ok and you should be good to go.

Please let me know what you think about the jigsaw puzzles and what you would like to see.  You can send comments and suggestions to wrmesser@gmail.com.

Enjoy the jigsaw and your holidays!
Become an Emember

 

If you are already a member, you might consider adding an American Iris Society Emembership.  This is a way for you to show additional support for AIS.  For just $15 a year, in addition to your regular membership charge, you have online access to Irises, including all the back issues of it and the AIS Bulletin, the Registration & Introductions database, and you help to support our online initiatives!  Find out more here.  And you will qualify for the AIS Voucher Program described in earlier issues.

The Emembers Login link can now be found in the Quick Links in the left column.  You will need your username and password which comes from the AIS Membership Secretary (aismemsec@irises.org).