Chapter Award Winners

Gold Medal Awardees

2018 Gold Medal Award – June Walsh

For more than 25 years you have been an active member of the American Rhododendron Society, always exhibiting a warm attitude and willingness to serve. Your contributions to the Society have been stellar. You have been an important factor in the growth and success of the Eureka Chapter, serving as treasurer, membership chair and newsletter editor. At the national level, you have served as Secretary to the Society’s Board of Directors and you chaired or co-chaired two Western Regional Conferences. You co-chaired the national convention in 2007 and chaired the national convention in 2017. You currently serve as national Membership Chair. For these and other significant, lasting contributions, the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Gold Medal to June Walsh, May 25, 2018. Bremen Germany. 2017

Gold Medal Award – Deanna Daneri

You have been instrumental in bringing the American Rhododendron Society into the modern age with your advocacy for communicating with Chapters, members and the public through the World Wide Web. In 2000 the ARS became accessible to the world through Dee’s gentle yet persuasive guidance and choice of key members who were able to bring the vision to fruition. Dee’s interest in the American Rhododendron Society has not waned since her retirement as Executive Director; she has been the Honors Committee Chair for many years. She has been the Rhododendron enthusiast who has brought Vireya Rhododendrons to Vallarta Botanical Garden in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Dee has worked tirelessly for the American Rhododendron Society, her work and ongoing enthusiasm has earned her the appreciation of many ARS members.

2015 Gold Medal Award – Bruce Palmer

We have all enjoyed reading the Word column in the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society and have become more familiar with the biology of Rhododendrons. The scope of the Word is international in reach as the Journal goes to members worldwide and is now available through the web. You have written grant applicants specific to Rhododendrons and educated the public about Rhododendrons. Through your efforts, Grants have been awarded to purchase Rhododendrons and companion plants from the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, signs and brochures, a modern labeling machine and supplies for creating identifying plaques in Humboldt Botanical Garden’s Temperate Woodland Garden. For these significant and lasting contributions, the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Gold Medal to Bruce Palmer.

Silver Medal Awardees

2017 Silver Medal Award – Don Wallace

Over the past 27 years you have planted, propagated and grown from seed many rhododendrons. You have hybridized rhododendrons with emphasis on fragrance and on new and exciting flower colors. Your hybrids are plants for all seasons as you have chosen plants that hold their leaves more than one year, creating fuller, more attractive plants when not in bloom. You have been invited to give your excellent programs with beautiful photography of gardens, flowers and plants to chapters from Washington to Central California. You generously share your knowledge with all who are interested. Your articles have also been featured in the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society. For these significant and lasting contributions, the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Silver Medal to Don Wallace.

2007 Silver Medal Award – June and Tim Walsh

Between the two of you, you have served at the Chapter level as president, vice president, treasurer, newsletter editor, and membership chair and at the board level as treasurer, alternate director and secretary. You have used your extraordinary leadership and organizational skills to help stage Western Regional conferences, a national ARS convention, and numerous chapter and regional events. You have shared your love and knowledge of Rhododendrons with countless people as true ambassadors of the Society. You have encouraged interest in and disseminated knowledge about the world of Rhododendrons in your many activities, including such projects as the Humboldt Botanical Gardens.

2010 Silver Medal Award – Paul Anderson, M.D.

You have served the American Rhododendron Society with distinction since you joined in 1964. You are a Life member and have served as president of the Eureka Chapter and California Chapter. You have served as District 5 Director and currently serve as chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee. You were instrumental in establishing two new chapters, Eureka and Hawaii. You have worked untold hours toward furthering the aspirations and goals of the ARS to the benefit of every society member who has had the pleasure of attending a meeting where you have given a program, or visiting your garden. For your years of untiring and dedicated service, the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to award the Silver Medal Paul Anderson, M.D.

Eureka Chapter Bronze Medal Awardees

December 7, 2017 – Diane Larkin

You joined the Eureka Chapter more than seven years ago. Almost immediately, you accepted the task of Volunteer Coordinator for the Annual Flower Show and excelled at that position. When the Eureka Chapter decided to host the 2017 ARS National Convention, you agreed immediately to be Volunteer Coordinator. Without your efforts, the Convention could not have run smoothly. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Diane Larken, this 7th day of December 2017.

September 28, 2017 – Max Abrahamsen

The citation reads: You joined the Eureka Chapter, ARS, more than eight years ago. Soon thereafter, you took on the task of Membership Chairman for the Eureka Chapter, then Website Coordinator, then President. When the Eureka Chapter decided to host the 2017 ARS National Convention, you constructed and administered the budget. Without your efforts, the convention could not have succeeded. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Max Abrahamsen, this 28th day of September 2017.

September 28, 2017 – Ellen Gill

You joined the Eureka Chapter, ARS, more than five years ago. Soon thereafter, you took on the task of Membership Chairman for the Eureka Chapter and have excelled at that position. When the Eureka Chapter decided to host the 2017 National Convention, you agreed immediately to be the registrar. Without your efforts, the Convention could not have succeeded. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Ellen Gill, this 28th day of September 2017.

September 28, 20117 – Wyatt Ledbetter

Many members of the Eureka Chapter have known you since you were a toddler. Your decision to take a degree in Computer Science has proved to be a boon for the Chapter. When you agreed to set up a Website for us and to be Webmaster, the Chapter benefitted immensely. Without your great Website, the 2017 ARS National Convention could not have succeeded. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Wyatt Ledbetter, this 28th day of September 2017.

May 26, 2016 – William Troiano

You joined the Eureka Chapter more than eleven years ago. You volunteered to clean and polish the twenty-two trophies awarded at the annual Flower Show. You have performed that service every year since, in addition to serving each year as a cashier at the show. Without your long-term efforts, the show would not succeed. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to William Troiano, this 26th day of May 2016.

March 24, 2016 – Mary Marking

You joined the Eureka Chapter ARS more than six years ago. In 2012, you were asked to chair the Annual Flower Show. You accepted, and since that time, you have worked tirelessly to insure the show is a success. Without your long-term committed effort, the Show would not be the great event that it is. Your enthusiasm and ability to work with a diversity of members, business and the public are especially noteworthy. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Mary Marking, this 24th day of March 2016.

March 24, 2016 – Tom Marking

You have been a member of the Eureka Chapter ARS for more than six years. In 2012, you accepted chairmanship of the Annual Flower Show. Since that time, you have worked tirelessly to ensure that the show is a success every year. Without your long-term committed efforts, the show would not have succeeded. Your mechanical knowhow has been especially helpful, resulting in major improvements in storage and flower displays. The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Tom Marking, this 24th day of March 2016.

February 26, 2015 – June Walsh

When you joined the American Rhododendron Society Eureka Chapter nearly 30 years age, you were the consummate “dragee,” but in the intervening years you have become one of the Chapter’s most enthusiastic and committed members. You have served us well as a Membership Chair, Treasurer, and Newsletter Editor for many years, but your dedication and service do not stop there. You have been chief cook and bottle washer for Board of Director meetings, served as our bookkeeper, handled raffle tickets at our monthly meetings and at our annual show and plant sale, and served as general all-round organizer and cheerleader for events ranging from plant sales to picnics to garden tours. You have handled sometimes incredible demands on your time and patience with grace and proved, over and over again, the truth of the old saying that if you want a job done well, you should ask a busy person to do it. For your many, many contributions to the Chapter, The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to Award you the Bronze medal this 26th day of February 2015.

December 6, 2012 – Carol Dunning

Since joining the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, you have worked hard to increase participation in the annual truss show. Your efforts have included organizing the Flower Arrangements section by helping to develop the rules and classifications, obtaining judges each year through the Humboldt Arrangers’ Guild, and serving as a clearing house for exhibitors to be sure adequate space in allocated for the arrangements. You have also been a volunteer for show duties, as well as for other Chapter activities and programs over the years. You’ve also been a regular participant – and frequent winner – in the annual show. For your contributions and dedicated work on behalf of the Chapter, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is pleased to present the Bronze Medal to Carol Dunning, this 6th day of December 2012.

April 22, 2012 – Verne Trinoskey

As a “dragee” to the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, you have been an important part of the chapter’s activities. You have provided housing for our annual truss show judges and served as host and chef for their post-show lunches and garden tours. You are there as part of the set-up crew for the annual truss show and always return at the end to help with take down and clean-up chores. You have welcomed members into your garden during many of our annual garden tours and allowed us to hold plant sales in your front yard. For your dedicated and selfless service, the Eureka Chapter is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Verne Trinoskey, this 22nd day of April 2012.

April 22, 2012 – Paula Trinoskey

Past President Paula Trinoskey received the award for her years of participation and work with the Eureka Chapter. Since you joined the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, you have been an inspiration to all members. You have served as a board member, vice president, president and as past president. You have provided housing for our annual truss show judges and served as hostess for their post-show garden tours and lunches. You are there as part of the set-up crew for the annual truss show and always return at the end to help with take down and clean-up chores. You’re also a consistent exhibitor for the show, have judged other chapters’ flower shows and given excellent programs both at Eureka Chapter and at other chapters. For your dedicated and selfless service, the Eureka Chapter is proud to award The Bronze Medal to Paula Trinoskey, April 2012.

January 10, 2010 – Ellie Gayner

Since you joined the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society in April 2000, you have been an active participant in the Chapter’s programs and activities. More importantly, you have been active in promoting the Chapter’s programs and activities in local media. These efforts have paid significant dividends for the Chapter, which has continued to increase its membership, as a result of your efforts. You have worked long and hard to establish personal relationships with local newspaper, television and radio people, thus insuring that your information about Chapter activities is fairly and accurately reported. You have also been involved many other ways in Chapter programs. You are a regular volunteer at the annual Rhododendron Show and Sale. You have helped with the tasks involved in membership renewal. You participate in the Eureka Chapter’s telephone tree calling members before each meeting. You have often supplied refreshments for our monthly meetings. In recognition of these outstanding efforts on behalf of the Chapter, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Ellie Gayner, January 2010.

June 17, 2007 – June Walsh

When you first began attending Eureka Chapter meetings, you called yourself a “dragee.” Somewhere in the intervening years, that dragee became one of the Chapter’s most active and supportive members. You have been involved in virtually everything the Chapter does: plant sales, truss shows, potluck meetings and garden tours. You have helped to provide refreshments at our meetings and been a gracious hostess for numerous board meetings and other functions. You have served on our board for many years as membership chair and newsletter editor. And shortly you will add treasurer to those responsibilities. You have also been active on behalf of other chapters of the Society as a truss show judge. And you have taken on additional duties as secretary of the American Rhododendron Society. You brought your considerable organizational skills to bear as the Chapter planned and hosted two Western Regional Conferences. You were co-chair of the 2007 Annual Convention of the American Rhododendron Society, doing most of the hard work of organizing the South San Francisco convention and winning well deserved praise for your efforts. The Eureka Chapter is proud to recognize your years of selfless service to the Eureka Chapter and to the American Rhododendron Society by presenting the Bronze Medal to June Walsh this 17th day of June 2007.

February 22, 2007 – Paul W. Anderson, M.D.

Since you joined the American Rhododendron Society in 1964, you have been active in spreading the word about rhododendrons and you continue to do that today with your many activities on behalf of the ARS. You have encouraged many people to join the Society over the years. Among them is Eureka Chapter’s own Dee Daneri, who ably led the ARS as Executive Director for several years. Many of our members began their association with ARS when you presented them with gift memberships, or when you encouraged them to take an interest in horticulture in general and rhododendrons in particular. You have traveled the world in search of rhododendrons and returned to share what you have found with many ARS chapters, Rotary clubs, churches and others who share your interest in nature. You have shared your garden here in Eureka with the members of our Chapter on numerous garden tours and other programs over the years. Today, you are member of six ARS chapters and serve the Society as a District Director. For 43 years of dedicated and untiring service to the American Rhododendron Society and to our Chapter in particular, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is honored to award this Bronze Medal to Paul W. Anderson, M.D. this 22nd day of February 2007.

January 2007 – Tom Martin

The Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society awarded Tom Martin its highest honor, the Bronze Medal. Tom has been a Life member since 1991 and has been a tireless volunteer, lending a helping hand at truss shows and plant sales, setting up garden displays and just helping to clean up after regular meetings. Tom served a single term as vice president before being elected to three consecutive terms as president of Eureka Chapter. Tom and Aileen have opened their home for the Chapter for garden tours and as host for potlucks. As the Society’s accountant Tom worked with the executive director to set up a new accounting system, he worked closely ― and without fees ― with the Society’s committees to help them prepare their budgets. January 2007.

December 9, 2004 – Tim Walsh

Since you joined the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, you have been active in virtually everything we have done. You were a leader for two successful Western Regional Conferences and a dedicated and tireless worker in preparing display gardens for KEET-TV landscape shows and the Humboldt County Fair. Your work on the annual Truss Show and Plant Sale helped make that event a success year after year. You’ve shared your travels with us through several programs, been our auctioneer, and served as Vice President and President. You’ve kept track of our bank accounts as Treasurer and continue to serve the American Rhododendron Society as its Treasurer. For your efforts over a decade and a half on our behalf, the Eureka chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Bronze Medal to Tim Walsh this 9th day of December 2004.

December 9, 2004 – Nelda Palmer

In the ten years since you joined the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, you havegiven tirelessly of your time and talent to bring the world of rhododendrons to others. During your two terms as president, you led the chapter to develop a display at the Humboldt County Fair. You continue to lead the chapter’s effort to clean up and maintain the public rhododendron garden at Eureka’s Sequoia Park. You have worked every year to make the annual Truss Show and Plant Sale a success, serving in a variety of positions including Show Chair for the past two years. You have worked on virtually every project the Chapter has undertaken during the past ten years and been a regular volunteer for the many work parties for the American Rhododendron Society. For your dedicated and tireless work on behalf of the chapter, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Nelda Palmer this 9th day of December 2004.

December 9, 2004 – Bruce Palmer

It has been ten years since you joined the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society — a busy 10 years for both you and the Chapter. You have served us as a member of the board for most of that time, holding office as Vice President or Secretary or as a Committee Chair. You have been a dependable and dedicated volunteer for every project the Chapter has under taken in the past decade — the annual Truss Show and Plant Sale, the display gardens for the KEET-TV landscape show and the Humboldt County Fair, potting parties and ARS work parties. Your energy and dedication has been an inspiration for the entire chapter. For your dedicated and tireless work on behalf of the chapter, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to present the Bronze Medal to Bruce Palmer this 9th day of December 2004.

October 23, 2003 – Don Wallace

Like most of us, you came to the world of rhododendrons almost by accident. You needed a few of those big flowering plants for your landscape. But you quickly discovered there’s more to rhododendrons than reds, pinks, purples and whites. And you joined the American Rhododendron Society. Since your first meeting, you have become a true “rhodyholic,” serving the Eureka Chapter with distinction. Your service has included three terms as President, numerous terms as Vice President and Program Chair and uncounted stints as a volunteer at the annual truss show and plant sale, garden shows, field trips, and garden tours. You have unselfishly shared the knowledge you’ve developed as you learned, then began to hybridize rhododendrons and develop your own rhododendron nursery. You have been a generous contributor of both plants and know-how. You have reached out to other chapters and members of the American Rhododendron Society through your programs and your participation in regional conferences and hybridizers’ meetings. For your tireless efforts and generous support of the Chapter and the Society, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society awards the Bronze Medal to Don Wallace this 23rd day of October 2003.

December 4, 2003 – Deanna “Dee” Daneri

You are best known to the members of Eureka Chapter as a devoted friend and hard-working volunteer in support of the chapter’s varied activities and programs. You have served as one of the chief clerks at our annual flower show for many years, working hard to make sure our judges could do their jobs efficiently and quickly. You have shared your garden often during our garden tours, serving as a gracious hostess at the end of some long days. And you have shared your love of rhododendrons and your travels with us through the programs you have presented over the years. Your knowledge, experience and dynamic leadership as Executive Director of the American Rhododendron Society have modernized the Society’s internal communications and re-energized its volunteer network. Your work in securing financial grants on behalf of the Society has greatly expanded its educational outreach through such programs as updated brochures and the hang-tag project. For your untiring work on behalf of the chapter and the Society, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society awards the Bronze Medal to Deanna “Dee” Daneri this 4th day of December 2003.

September 28, 2000 – Catherine Weeks

Catherine came to the world of rhododendrons as so many of her colleagues came – watching deer eat away at her roses. Since that day nearly forty years ago when she shifted the focus of her nursery, Westgate Gardens, to rhododendrons, she has been a source of information and inspiration for those who love the enus Rhododendron. She was a founding member of the Dr. Richard Anderson Rhododendron Club, which later became the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. She served the chapter as both vice president and president and has been an active participant in the chapter over the years. The Westgate Gardens perpetual trophy goes each year to the exhibitor with the best yellow hybrid rhododendron. She has been an active hybridizer for more than thirty years. Among the plants she has registered are: ‘Cougar’, ‘Angel Wings’ and ‘Arthur Charles’. She has also hybridized azaleas over the years. For her contributions to the chapter, the Society and the genus Rhododendron, the Eureka Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award this Bronze Medal this 28th day of September 2000.