Field Trip!!!

I realized that I hadn't said anything about our upcoming field trip to the Seattle Dahlia Society show. The NCW Dahlia Society's mission is to promote the growing and showing of dahlias in our community. Since most of us are novices when it comes to participating in shows, it is important for us to have a context for showing, judging and yes, competing against other growers. Last year we had a great opportunity to go to Everett to the American Dahlia Society's National Show. This event also celebrated 100 years of dahlia showing in the ADS and the Snohomish County Dahlia Society. Dad was a big part of the society back in the 1950s, even extending his reach as a co-founder of the Pacific Northwest Dahlia Conference. I remember, as a child, that the dahlias he grew and named were a part of our family. My mother has often spoken of the dahlia beds growing on our property, commenting that they were just like neighbors, and she knew them all by name. Attending the ADS show in 2009 was really like "coming home" for my sisters, my mother and myself, as we re-acquainted with dahlia folks who had worked with Dad and Mom on dahlia growing and showing at the floral hall in Everett's Forest Park. We were treated to many great memories shared by people who had continued their relationship with Dad up until he passed away in 2006. The show in Everett in 2009 was huge, and many of our society members were happy to have the opportunity to clerk alongside some of the most seasoned judges in the society. We learned so much!

This year we have remained true to our commitment to become educated about growing and showing, as we have analyzed and responded to challenges in the NCW Dahlia Demonstration Garden on Emerson Street in Wenatchee. Soil chemistry, characteristics and watering formulas have been a main focus of our activities and treasury, as well as learning to grow show-quality blooms. The trip to Seattle will take place this Saturday, when members board a 24-passenger bus at 7:00 am from the JC Penney back parking lot. It looks like we almost have a full bus, and it promises to be a great trip where we hope to learn a lot. This will certainly be more comfortable than the 15-passenger van we took over last year - Yikes! Talk about getting "up close and personal" with other members!!!! We are hoping to make a side trip to one of the main commercial gardens during the day, but details on that are still being firmed up.

Dad would be so proud, and I have no doubt that he will be riding along with us. Think I'll wear his old grey golf sweater......