2017 DISTINGUISHED
SERVICE MEDAL
Since its inception in 1941 there have been 231
Distinguished Service Medals awarded by the American
Iris Society. In November 2017 the American Iris Society
board of directors approved two additions bringing the
new total to 233.
The AIS board was pleased to
recognize Debbie Strauss, Region 17,
Texas, and Nick Stewart, Region 22,
Oklahoma for their stellar devotion
to and operation of the AIS Silent
Auction for the past six years. Their
service has consisted of over 1,800
hours each and net income to AIS
of $35,000. They have been very
effective in securing plant donations
from our national hybridizers and a
myriad of iris related items from the
AIS membership.
Their effort has been deemed
stunning, and all with smiles on
Debbie Strauss
Nick Stewart
their faces to make everyone feel comfortable in their
presence. Well done Debbie and Nick!
Continued from previous page
in Annapolis, Maryland, Jeanne worked for both the
Summer Garden Theatre and the Colonial Players as a
costumer, a sound designer, and an assistant director
for multiple productions—and, on occasion, an on-stage
performer. This did give her an edge for entering the
SFVIS Iris Shows where she won many ribbons and
plaques for her iris artistic arrangements.
BY JIM MORRIS, HONORARY AWARDS CHAIRMAN, MISSOURI
In 2003 Jeanne and Bob sold their home in Sun Valley,
CA, and moved to Lake County, CA, to get closer to
families living in Northern California. There, once again,
Jeanne cultivated a large iris garden—Tall Bearded in
the front, and Louisianas in the back. She also threw
iris “nubbies” (rhizomes that are left after digging and
replanting) over the fence into the vacant lot next door in
hopes those “nubbies” would grow and bloom with only
Silent Auction, Hybridizers’ Wall of Honor, 2017 convention
The DSM is awarded in recognition of outstanding
service to the American Iris Society at the national
level. Service is judged on the basis of the amount and
quality of work done in such capacities as AIS Board
performance; national officer performance; judges’
training activity that is national in scope; significant
research and writing for our national publication IRISES;
and other less tangible but vital acts of national service
to AIS.
nature’s care—and they did!
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Jeanne and Bob currently reside in Novato, CA, near
her sons Roger, Peter, and Jamie; Bob’s daughter, Wendy;
and Jeanne’s daughter Lisa and Lisa’s daughters, all of
whom live nearby in Northern California. There are now
several grandchildren and a few great grandchildren that
they enjoy and keep up with.
Jeanne’s focus through her decades-long affair with
iris has also been mentoring. Like Claire Barr did for her,
she has pulled many people into the iris world, especially
me. I have loved and enjoyed working with and getting to
know Jeanne over the last 20-plus years. Congratulations,
Jeanne on receiving the highest award AIS can give for
your outstanding service to the American Iris Society and
the iris community.
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Winter 2018 AIS Bulletin 15