Friends of the Arboretum Newsletter
Volume 9, Number 1
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Director's Letter
Moving on
By Bob Lyons, Ph.D., Former Director
As I turned in this, my final contribution to this newsletter, I told Chris Glenn blame it on me if this issue goes to press late. You see, writing this letter has always been something that I enjoyed, but also something that I can't just sit down and do on cue. As any writer will probably agree, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys in today's world) to produce something worthwhile takes more than allotting a couple of hours in your daily schedule. That may work for checking off a "to do" list, but it is hardly effective for penning the Director's Letter, and my final one at that! Being in the right frame of mind can make all the difference in the world and being caught up with all the new preparations related to my departure hampered the onset of that "right frame of mind," I'm sure. In any event, my apologies for any publication delay I may have caused.
It would certainly be appropriate and perhaps expected for any outgoing director to recant a litany of changes, accomplishments, and significant events that marked their tenure. And, for sure, I'll get into that in a minute, but I'd rather start with the last days first. To put it very simply, I was absolutely floored by the outpouring of appreciation I experienced during my last few months at the Arboretum. Your e-mails, cards, special mementos, and personal visits meant very much to me, as did your understanding of my decision to test out the new waters of a new position. Most organized "farewells" took the form of a "roast" and I was often surprised by what surfaced...apparently my mind did a fairly good job of selective recall as I had blocked out many of the incidents revived by the going-away parties! Many thanks to my staff whose well-organized gathering at Nancy Doubrava's was both hilarious and poignant. I have recounted their talents oftentimes in my past comments, but they truly are the best and their special gift of the signed quartet of photos representing the seasons in the JCRA will be long cherished.
Many thanks to our volunteers, too. They have always been known for their tireless and significant contributions to the general well-being of the JCRA. I have made some solid friends amidst this group, for sure, and am especially thankful for the December party at Amelia Lane's home. It was always a personal highlight to host the holiday open house for volunteers at my home, but my impending move just wouldn't permit that. Having a chance to say some last minute "good byes" when Amelia took on that event was very special...and that signed book and beautiful blue ceramic container from the volunteers will remind me of you all for years to come! Some people may not realize that I, too, oversaw a volunteer group, a way to maintain my own sanity by keeping my hands busy in the garden. These folks were very allegiant and became known as the Monday night/Saturday morning volunteers and I could convene them with a simple e-mail call to arms. We did everything from work in the annual trials, prune climbing roses, and weeding, weeding, weeding...and, man, was their assistance valuable! I was also very saddened when our group lost one of its own regulars, Lou Fitzgerald, just weeks before my departure. I was so thankful, however, that he and I worked side by side about a week before his heart got the best of him and we were able to talk about my new position. He'll be missed but also fondly remembered, especially amongst that team of volunteers.
To the entire department, college, green industry members, and myriad of other well-wishers, your farewell reception will never be forgotten! I was both shocked and delighted to have the opportunity to see so many of you in one place, at one time, and I'm still trying to separate fact from fiction from all the stories...but I guess it really doesn't matter! That incredible indoor greenhouse (which I like to call my personal Wardian Case) was a superb choice for a farewell gift and I'll remember you all for a long time to come whenever I view it...wherever I eventually call home. Seeing all of you simply reminded me of the countless new friends I've made in North Carolina in a relatively short time frame; and for someone like me who landed here six years ago with few prior acquaintances, I couldn't be happier about that. What a flashback it has been to recall even nanoseconds of my classes, talks and presentations, committee meetings, outreach events, and just plain friendly and professional interactions with so many of you. Special appreciation to our own JCRA Board of Advisors who seemed to kick off all the farewell festivities by hosting a surprise reception for me at the final board meeting of 2004. I will certainly regret not having the opportunity to work with the newest members of the board and I'll miss my associations with current board members. We have done plenty together and all for the betterment of the JCRA. The ceramic vase is great and that poster depicting a hapless JCRA Director crossing the street is just too clever! In the last month on the job, it took on a special life of its own as it became the place to pen one's autograph from all reception attendees and just about anyone else who walked into my office prior to my departure...it is now literally covered with signatures and for that I'm especially grateful.
Of course, I could go on forever on the subject of farewells, but I really did want to summarize just a few of the highlights of my tenure here at NC State and the JC Raulston Arboretum. I was not always the best person to heed my own advice because if I did, I would have reflected upon our accomplishments more often. I'm pleased that we stuck to and strengthened our mission here at the JCRA. We continued to amass, teach about, and expand the outside world's view of landscape plants. Our collections were unsurpassed and unparalleled, and that sentiment was not only echoed by ourselves. We achieved closure on the planned capital improvements through the opening of the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center and associated buildings. Our staff grew along with our internal budgets, we enhanced student participation in the JCRA via formal educational experiences and new summer internships, our plants and programs were better interpreted in an active and passive sense, we traveled near and far and took members along with us, and we improved the rewards for volunteer hours accumulated. The number of JCRA vehicles increased, we renovated and improved numerous garden spaces, most notably the enormous Perennial Border, and sponsored notable speakers. By acquiring partnerships, we constructed a new Lath House, produced a commemorative alumni calendar, and contributed to an award-winning Extension publication in Successful Gardener. More and more plant groups became integrated into our evaluation efforts, and we hosted and were a part of industry field days throughout the year. Our Galas became increasingly more successful, financially and otherwise, and we initiated an overall endowment for the JCRA that now totals over $35,000.00. We embraced new forms and vehicles of information technology, resulting in Web access to our newsletter, a hugely successful listserv and monthly electronic update, award-winning publications produced by sophisticated software mastered by talented staff, and acquired better and better computer hardware...and this just scratches the surface.
However, in the interest of space and with the knowledge that I could write forever as easily as I can speak without using a period, I'll sign off as your director feeling very good about our accomplishments, our dedicated membership, the state of our collections, and what the future has in store for the JCRA and any new director. I leave you not with "good bye," but rather with "see you later," as I hope you will come and visit me at the University of Delaware and Longwood Gardens...just not all at once, please, and remember to look both ways before crossing the street!
Newsletter Dedication
This newsletter is dedicated to Bob Lyons and Todd Lasseigne in appreciation for their years of service and support of the JC Raulston Arboretum.
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Director's Letter | Welcome | Horticulture | Student Project | Development | Arboretum Update | Volunteering | Programs
Formatted into HTML by Christopher
Todd Glenn
Programs & Education Coordinator
JC Raulston Arboretum
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7522
© The JC Raulston Arboretum, April 2005