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The Greater Omaha Iris Society

Founded in 1950, GOIS is a group of iris enthusiasts in the greater

Omaha, Nebraska area who get together to learn and discuss all

aspects of growing irises. We welcome guests and new members.

Contact: Susan Anderson at 402-731-0962

Becky Kadel at 402-556-2025.

2011 Officers

Becky Kadel, President

Linda Wilkie, Treasurer

Janet Karaus, Vice President

Susan Anderson, Secretary

Sass Memorial Iris Garden

Built and maintained to show historic iris in a beautiful garden setting.

This garden is devoted to the pioneering iris hybridizing work done by

Hans, Jacob, and Henry Sass. The garden also includes modern

reblooming irises, as well as varieties which have won the American Iris

Society Dykes Medal or the Sass Medal medal.

Please see seperate 'Sass Iris Garden page' on this web site.

November meeting date is changed. See below!

Club meeting dates

(all meetings held at the Douglas/Sarpy County Extension office at 8015 West Center Road in Omaha

unless otherwise noted.)

March 14, 2011 / 6:30 PM Program: Re-blooming Iris

Presented by Linda Wilke and Becky Kadel. Learn more about how to achieve iris blooms

several times during the growing season. Also, details will be provided about the Spring

Regional Iris Tour being hosted by our club.

March 19, 2011 / Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden

at 10:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

April 11, 2011/ 6:30 PM Program: Photography for Gardeners Presented by Jeff Ramsell of Rockbrook Camera. Let a professional give you tips for creating incredible images.

April 16, 2011/ Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 9:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

May 1, 2011/ Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 1:00 PM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

May 8, 2011/ Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 1:00 PM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up. This is an extra clean-up day before the Regional Spring Tour.

May 9, 2011 / 6:30 PM Program: Artistic Arrangements Using Iris. Ron Crampton, winner of

many artistic arrangement ribbons, will demonstrate and share his secrets of making gorgeous

arrangements. Club will provide materials to use. Members are asked to bring any blooming

flowers from their gardens. Members can bring their own containers and take home their

arrangements.

May 13, 14, 15, 2011 / Spring Into Spring Festival at Lauritzen Gardens. Buy lots of treasures

for your gardens. This is a great plant sale that benefits GOIS as well as the Lauritzen Gardens.

Spend a few hours at the GOIS table talking iris and buying potted iris.

May 20, 21, 2011/ Regional Iris Convention hosted by Greater Omaha Iris Society See seperate page on this web site for registration form and details.

May 22, 2011 / Annual Iris Show At Douglas/Sarpy County Extension office. Entries accepted from 7:30 to 9:30 AM. Iris entered in the Horticulture Division must be correctly identified as to variety name and grown by the exhibitor. Arrangments may also be entered in the artistic design division. An exhibitor may enter only one exhibit per class, but may enter as many classes as desired. Judging will be done by judges of the National Council of State Garden Clubs and/or The American Iris Society. Open to the public at no charge from 12:00 to 4:00 PM.

June 13, 2011/ Pot Luck at Joslyn Castle in Omaha. 5:30 PM Bring a salad or a dessert or a meat dish to share; beverages and utensils will be provided by the club. Talk about all the great (and maybe not-so-great) iris blooms this Spring. Tour the gardens around Joslyn Castle.

June 18, 2011 / Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 8:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

July 9, 2011 / Digging Project at the Sass Memorial Garden, 8:00 AM. Get there early before

the heat. We'll have coffee ready for you. This is the day we dig iris for sale to the public!

July 11, 2011 / Meeting: Prepare Rhizomes for sale 6:30 PM. Bring scissors, paper bags, and

newspapers to work on rhizomes. Great opportunity to get your hands dirty again!

Location change:

Meeting will be held at Becky Kadel's house: 4527 Frederick St. It is 3 blocks west of 42nd St between Interstate 80 and Center St.

July 29 (Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM) and July 30 (Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM), 2011 / Annual Rhizome Sale at the Douglas/Sarpy County Extension Office. Also, see beautiful photos of iris at the Annual Photo Contest. All photos are done by members of GOIS. Some are for sale. Don't forget to use your coupon for free iris (found on Vendor page of this web site).

August 9, 2011 / 6:00 PM / Attend a Temple of Twilight Jazz Concert at Lauritzen Gardens. Hear great local musicians in Lauritzen's beautiful outdoor gardens. Bring your own food and beverages or they can be purchased at the Gardens. Members of Lauritizen Gardens can attend free; non-members need to pay an admission fee. Look for an area where the GOIS members are. Ron will probably have a sign!

August 14, 2011 / Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 1:00 PM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

September 12, 2011 / Program: Fall in Omaha and Spring In New Zealand. 6:30 PM Presenter: Ron and Marie Crampton. Slide program showing spectacular gardens from their recent travels.

September 17, 2011 / Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 9:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

October 10, 2011 / 6:30 PM Program: "Fall is for Planting!" Member Plant Auction. Bring potted plants of any kind from your garden to help increase the club's treasury. Be sure to pot up several weeks in advance so plants are well rooted in their containers and look nice. If you need pots, contact Becky Kadel at 402-556-2025 or Phyllis Randall at 712-527-4974 sometime in August or September.

October 15, 2011 / Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 10:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up

MEETING CHANGE NOTICE!! Wednesday, November 16 2011 /

"Early Thanksgiving Pot Luck Dinner" 6:30 PM Always a favorite activity. Bring your family

and invite friends who may want to know more about iris for our annual festive dinner. The club will provide the Turkey and Gravy; please bring a salad, vegetable, casserole or dessert to share. Best deal

in town.................great friends, great food, great comaraderie. Date was changed because of a

scheduling conflict.

November 19, 2011/ Final Work day at the Sass Memorial Garden at 9:00 AM. Bring garden tools and bags or buckets for clean-up. Help put the gardens to bed for the winter. Hot coffee will be provided.