2010 NALS Regional Service Medal Recipient
The Mid America Regional Lily Society (MARLS) awarded the North American Lily Society Regional Service Medal for 2010 to Don Kelley.
Vice President Bob Snider presented the award to Don on July 17th during the Awards Picnic and Mini Show held at the Winterowd’s home.
Don has been a member of the Mid America Regional Lily Society since 2003, and had served as Vice-President since March, 2006. He accepted the position of President in March, 2010.
He has proven to be an indispensable member of our regional. In his own words, he “does whatever anyone else doesn’t want to do.” He is reliable, dependable, and knowledgeable, and always ready and willing to step in to help wherever needed. At one point we were hesitant to ask him to do anything else for fear of driving him away! He has opened his home for many of our meetings and has made all the arrangements for our educational meetings, including being the main speaker. He has expanded our liaison with the local garden clubs and provided I.T. help on many occasions. His educational exhibits at our shows are outstanding.
In 2008 he and his wife Pat attended the NALS Show hosted by the Victoria Lily Society in Sidney, British Columbia, as the only representatives of our regional, and met many of the NALS members. He presented a very interesting video of the many lilies and designs that were exhibited there. He has contributed much to the strength of our regional, and thereby to NALS.
And, of course, he grows and shows beautiful lilies. This year he was awarded “Best of Show” for an outstanding stem of ‘Leslie Woodriff’. We feel he would be a very worthy recipient of this medal. Congratulations Don!