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Mums 2002 – A Bridge for International
Friendship
59th Annual Convention and Show
9th Meeting of the International Chrysanthemum Council
Bethesda, Maryland
October 16 – 20, 2002
Report by Yvonne McNally, Show Secretary and Galen Goss,
General Co-Chair |
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The 59th Annual NCS Convention and Show and the 9th Meeting of
the International Chrysanthemum Council (ICC) were held from
October 16 to 20, 2002 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda Hotel in
Bethesda, Maryland. The Old Dominion and Potomac Chrysanthemum
Societies hosted the event. Over 150 members of NCS registered
for the convention. A number of guests and international
colleagues also attended.
Exhibitors from all across the country, and indeed, from
around the world brought blooms, potted plants, poster
displays, educational displays, and chrysanthemums depicted in
arts and crafts to our event. In addition, artistically
designed creations helped make this a beautiful and wonderful
event. A display from five schools of Ikebana design added a
special touch. Another highlight was the lovely display of
over 200 stems of sprays grown by the Fukuno Botanical Garden
and assembled by the Japanese representatives. All of us who
watched them unpack and create their display were truly amazed
not only at the number of stems that they brought with them,
but with the unpacking (and thus the packing) process itself.
Five of the seven member countries of the ICC were represented
at the ICC meeting. The representatives from Australia,
Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States engaged
in an open, congenial discussion about international
activities, the health (number of members) of their
organizations, and future activities. The highlight of the
discussions was a unanimous decision to hold the 10th Meeting
of the ICC in Toronto, Canada in 2005.
A highlight of Friday’s activities was the Garden Club
Luncheon. Mrs. Jackie Lundburg treated the luncheon attendees
to a wonderful presentation entitled “Wild About Hue.” Her
enthusiasm and masterful designs certainly demonstrated the
possibilities of color in our floral designs.
 The
chrysanthemum show opened at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19
with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. John Lowry (NCS
President); June Wood (President of the Potomac chapter), and
Jim Dunne (President of the Old Dominion chapter) performed
the actual cutting. Prior to the ribbon cutting, John
explained that the five colors in the bows represented the
colors in the flags of the seven ICC countries. The white
ribbon was the common color in each of the flags. The flags of
the seven countries framed the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also
participating in the ceremony were Galen Goss and Bob Howell,
the Co-Chairs for Mums 2002; Gene Mertes, the Show Chair;
Joichi Kawata from the All Japan Chrysanthemum Federation; Jim
McWilliam from the Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society;
and Joseph Woodings from the Australian Chrysanthemum Society.
As the show opened, attendees were able to enjoy refreshments
and beverages provided through a donation from Yoder Brothers,
Inc.
There were four tours arranged for the enjoyment of attendees:
Longwood Gardens, the U.S. Botanic Gardens, a nighttime tour
of Washington, and a Mount Vernon/Alexandria, Virginia trip.
Despite some bad weather and traffic-accident delays on the
Longwood trip, a good time was had by all on each of the
tours!
Over 160 members and guests attended the Saturday evening
awards banquet. Amy Goss, our banquet MC, began the evening by
asking for a moment of silence in remembrance of those members
who had passed away since our last meeting, the many members
who were absent due to illness and surgery, and for those
being affected by terrorism throughout the world. There were
several highlights to the banquet besides the announcement and
awarding of show awards.
Mums 2002 was an event that saw a number of firsts for an NCS
annual event (a logo and a commemorative poster). It was also
an event that was fun, educational, and full of friendship and
fellowship. |
