This meeting is sponsored by the Connecticut Iris Society. It will be held at the Rockville United Methodist Church, 142 Grove Street, Rockville, CT 06066. Rockville United Methodist Church is located just off Exit 67 of Interstate 84, between Sturbridge MA and Hartford CT. After taking Exit 67 (Rte. 31 West) go north ¼ mile straight through the traffic light and look for the church on your left. (On Google Maps, here: https://goo.gl/maps/UgZxsNRY5Du2f4sd8 )

Please bring items to donate to the Auction of Iris and Plant Treasures fundraiser for Region 1.

Schedule of Events:

• 10:00 am: Coffee, snacks and conversation; set up for Auction; prepare lunch.
• 11:00 am: Region 1 Business Meeting followed by the Auction
• 12:30: Lunch - Barbecue boneless chicken thighs with flavored rice, vegan gluten-free butternut squash soup, salads, and homemade desserts. There’s no charge for lunch, donations accepted to defray costs. You’re also welcome to bring your own lunch.
• 1:30: Program: Our guest speaker will be Colin Campbell, iris hybridizer from Middletown, VA. Colin began iris hybridizing at age 11 and introduced his first iris in 2018 while still a teenager. He is an accomplished pianist and has chosen a career as a music teacher and church musician, while hybridizing and introducing irises as a hobby. Please visit his website, irishillsfarm.com.

  During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at our Zoom 2020 Region 1 Fall Meeting, Colin gave us a beautiful presentation of the first half of a talk that he prepared for Region 1. At that time he had introduced two irises and had promising seedlings on the way. Since the Fall of 2020, Colin has introduced nine more irises. His reblooming Medians show everbloom qualities in northern Virginia and have potential for New England, where rebloom is difficult. His Tall Bearded irises are distinctive while all showing good plant qualities. Colin’s 2020 TB introduction, 'Debra’s Melody', won an HM (Honorable Mention) award in the 2023 voting by AIS judges.