Bronze Medal Award

Bronze Medal Award
Picture by S & J Perkins

The Bronze Medal Award is the highest award the Massachusetts Chapter can bestow on one of its members. This award honors a member's outstanding long term contributions to the Chapter.

Leo Blanchette

The Board of Directors is honored to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding service to the Chapter. You served the Chapter as Vice President from 1984 to 1986, and then as President from 1986 to 1988. During your tenure, you began the practice of introducing program meetings with an educational short program. These short programs were an important innovation geared to the needs of the beginning rhododendron gardener. Over the years, these short programs have played a significant role in helping new members become experienced rhododendron growers.You have unfailingly used your vast knowledge of plant material and companion plants to educate the gardening public. Your speaking ability, writing skill, and interest in all forms of horticultural education, have greatly benefited the Chapter and the horticultural community. For your many years of dedication to rhododendrons and horticultural education, the Chapter is very proud to present you with its highest award.

Janet Killeen

The Board of Directors is pleased to present to you this medal in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the Chapter. You took it upon yourself to bring the position of Recording Secretary to a new level. Our meetings have been graced with your wit, good sense, and support for others. The Rosebay, our Chapter's flagship publication, received countless hours of your patience and skill in support of its production. Whenever the need arose, you unselfishly volunteered your services to our Chapter in many other capacities, always determined to give your best effort. For all these accomplishments, this Chapter is proud to present you with its highest award.

Massachusetts Chapter Bronze Medalists

1999 Fred Knippel 1998 Leo Blanchette 1998 Janet Killeen 1997 Ted Kellogg 1997 Marcia Mitchell 1996 C. J. Patterson 1996 Jim Craddock 1995 Henry Wrightington 1995 Barbara Wrightington 1995 Henk Borsje 1995 Anne Reisch 1994 Peggy Lawson 1993 Mike Medeiros 1992 Edward Brown 1992 Peg Brown 1992 Joe Parks 1992 Wayne Mezitt 1990 Laura Nichols 1990 John Quinn

1989 Richard Chaikin 1988 Robert Fox 1988 Beatrice MacDonald 1987 Bruno Falanga 1987 Richard Leonard 1985 Virginia Craig 1984 Jane Brooks 1983 Jonathan Shaw 1981 Richard Brooks 1980 Andrew Paton 1980 Dorothy Swift

1979 Max Resnick 1977 Jack Cowles 1977 Eveleth Cowles 1976 Louis Cook 1974 Elinor Clarke 1974 Edmund Mezitt

The Gold Medal Award and Silver Medal Award are awarded by the American Rhododendron Society to honor a member's outstanding long term contributions to the Society or the genus Rhododendron on a Society-wide or Distinct-wide basis, respectively.

A. Richard Brooks

You have been of immense value to our Society over many years serving at all possible levels. You conceived and nourished formation of the Massachusetts Chapter, now one of the largest in the A R S. You have also given guidance to other chapters during their difficult first steps. You have been undaunting in your support of the society at the national level serving as President and as a member on many committees. Our Society has benefited on many occasions from your diplomatic talents in mediating delicate situations. In your quiet and determined way, you helped opposing parties work out their difference and find solutions. You have always kept a strong focus on growth of the A R S at the national and intonation level by looking for opportunities to speak, write and publish information about rhododendrons and by demonstrating how to make new members feel welcome. All those who have worked with you or were touched by your generosity, genuine friendliness and enthusiasm, have unequivocally expressed their support to recognize you as one who has truly advanced our Society. For your many accomplishments, the American Rhododendron Society is proud to award the Gold Medal to A. Richard Brooks, Niagara Falls, Canada, May 30, 1998.

Massachusetts Chapter Gold and Silver Medalists