2010 AVS of America Convention Show

The Annual Convention Show of the African Violet Society of was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, from April 13-17, 2010.

 "The Once and Future Violet" was the theme.  Shown at left is the "Court of Honor", with all of the winners displayed on and around the "violet tree".  Olive passed up doing design in the show and volunteered her efforts as the Staging Chairman.  The show room and court certainly had a look not seen at a national convention in many, years, if ever.  Besides the unusual way of displaying the winners, tables were covered in black--giving the show a real "elegant" look....the entries really looked stunning on the dark background.

Many thanks to Libby Glembocki and Brenda Petry, among many others, for their tireless work in putting on such a spectacular show.  There were many spectacular entries, and the show and sales room was well attended and busy throughout the week.  The show exceeded expectations in most every way.   

Tom Greer was this year's big winner, in his first AVSA national show.  Among other awards were Best in Show, with 'Lucien Croteau', shown at far left, and 3rd Best in Show, with 'Buckeye's Sentimental Reasons', shown at near left.

Tom also had the Best Semiminiature in Show, with 'Ness Cranberry Swirl', shown at right.  Best Miniature in Show went to Catherine Thompson, with 'Orchard's Wonder Twin'.  Best Other Gesneriad in Show was Columnea 'Orange Sherbert', grown and entered by Libby Behnke.

Of course, a number of our varieties appeared in the show.  Shown at far left is 'Rob's Boogie Woogie', part of the Best Collection of Robinson originations, won by Anne Nicholas.  Anne won the first award of $150 and the "beaded violet" (with a value of $150) that was specially commissioned for this award.  Congratulations Anne!

We had some winners, ourselves.  Best New Cultivar for 2010 went to our own 'Rob's Lucky Number', a miniature with both chimera foliage and bloom, shown at middle left.  Rob also won Best in Show, commercial, with 'Rob's Chilly Willy' (one of our very favorite plants), and Best Commercial Display.  Among the 45 plants on the display was 'Rob's Astro Zombie', a new variety for 2010 that is shown at near left.