Hallson gathering group photo - 2010

[HostaDesigner]

I just got back from the Hallson gathering. What a great group of people! It was my pleasure to meet all of you finally after years of online postings.

Thanks for the GREAT TIME! I'll post more pics soon.



Original size pic here if others would like prints:
http://home.comcast.net/~mgroothuis/Hal ... p_Full.jpg

[barbara]

Very nice group shot...I recognize many, but many are new too. Everyone looks happy One day, I will make it there too.
Thank you for sharing the pic.

[Marlys]

What FUN

Just think, I could have been there too if only Reldon didn't think I talk too much and had let me tag along with him.
Maybe next year I'll promise to duct tape my mouth shut and beg unmercifully to go along until someone has to say, "Yes! you can go along."

But truly, Reldon talks more than me

Looks like a great day with great friends. I see my friend, Dr. Dave there too. And my good friend Linda P. And some other familiar faces too, Joan & Art. And Lucy Goose is that really you? Looks like the Canada team had a good showing.

I want to hear about the Hosta Games too & the plant exchange & the food too.

MM

[LucyGoose]

Heyyyyyyyyy, yep it's realy me, Marlys!!! Mike, that is really a great picture!! I had the best time!! I love seeing eveyone!! And it was great to see our sweet Linda! It has been years since I have seen her!! We will be home later today, so, I will have to post more later.......

Thanks Chris and Brian for a great weekend and the weather was the best, too!! Perfect!!!

[John]

Great group! Any chance of labelling a copy of the large photo to ID everyone? That would be cool...

[DBoweMD]

Fantastic photo Mike!
What an awesome day! I am happy to have brought Herbie and Joan Altman along for the first time, hope we can all come back again!
Thanks Chris and Brian for being such great hosts!
I'll post some pics eventually.
Dave

[Chris_W]

Great picture. This has to be the absolute best group shot I've ever seen with that many people.

In the back row: HostaDesigner (Mike - also the photographer), Paul, Brian Hall (with the Michigan shirt), Art, and Wayne.
Next row: Bonnie, Linda P, Dave Bowe, Jacque Wilson (my stepmom), Mike Steg., Shirley, Jay (lucygoose's Husband)
Next row: Lela, Joan Altman, Mary, another Linda P, then Reldon
Next row: Stephanie Steg., Pat, Lucygoose, Lynn (lessadragon)
Bottom row: Herbie, Jon (Pat's Husband), and me (Chris Wilson)

Missing from the picture was Char (she had to leave early) and Bryan (Mary's husband). Did we miss anyone else from this group photo?

I think everyone had a great time, including myself. I'm still laughing and smiling about Paul sharing his seedlings from the trunk of his car. I kept imagining a back-alley transaction with someone saying, "Pssst! How would you like some primo hostas?"

Thanks again everyone for a great day - can someone else give a rundown of the events? I'm still trying to regroup/recoup for the moment

[Minnow]

I miss being able to drive all the way up there to see y'all Mayybe somday when this event is scheduled on a weekend when I am off from work Tony & I will make it up there again!!

Those first 4 years were the best! I miss Brenda still!

[jobranch]

It does look like you all had fun. Maybe I can drive up from Alabama one of these days.

[pauhaus]

What a great photo Mike! It was such a great time seeing everyone and meeting Linda P, new Linda and Mike for the first time, also Herb and Joan A. I always look forward to it and am glad I could make it, the food and company can't be beat. Thanks to Chris and Brian for throwing this get-together, they are the best. And Chris, I was just sharing the hosta love, maybe I should have worn a trench coat... Thanks again.

[newtohosta-no more]

So Paul is now dealing in Black Market Hostas, huh? I hope someone got a pic of that!
That really is a wonderful pic of the group! So many faces I recognize and I sure do hate that I had to miss it again. I'll probably miss it next year too since my DD is getting married in August. You all look great! I can't get over how much weight you have lost , Chris! You look fantastic!
Question for you......did anyone stay at the Claddaugh B&B? That is where I usually stay, but I know the owners were planning on selling it. Just wondering if it is now under new ownership and what your experience was at the B&B?
I'm looking forward to seeing more pics!

[steg]

We didn't stay at the Claddaugh, but did see a "For Sale" sign in the front yard of it. Not sure what 's going on there. Sorry.

However, the Brickhouse B&B was great. I would highly recommend it if anyone goes by and needs a place to stay.

Steph and I had a wonderful time again. Chris and Brian put on a wonderful event - couldn't ask for a better time.

[rosemarie]

Great to put some faces with names, but I had to keep going back and forth between picturesd and I am sure I got some connections wrong. If I can print both posts I will. I love knowing who the folks were that have been so sweet the last months since I lost Lew. Sounds like you all had a great time.

[steg]

changed photo a little, maybe this will help.. see below post

[steg]

In the back row: HostaDesigner (Mike - also the photographer), Paul, Brian Hall (with the Michigan shirt), Art, and Wayne.
Next row: Bonnie, Linda P, Dave Bowe, Jacque Wilson (my stepmom), Mike Steg., Shirley, Jay (lucygoose's Husband)
Next row: Lela, Joan Altman, Mary, another Linda P, then Reldon
Next row: Stephanie Steg., Pat, Lucygoose, Lynn (lessadragon)
Bottom row: Herbie, Jon (Pat's Husband), and me (Chris Wilson)

Missing from the picture was Char (she had to leave early) and Bryan (Mary's husband)

[Linda P]

What a great time I had! Thanks, Chris and Brian, for hosting and for all the things you do for the Hallson family.
There's a new one to add to the list: Saturday morning the ear piece just fell out of my glasses. I'm blind without them,
did not have a spare pare along, and couldn't even see what was wrong with them. Chris found some duct tape and
patched them back together well enough that they held on til I could get home to my spare pair.
It was great to see old friends and meet new ones for the first time.
There was enough food for 20 times the number of people who were there. The exchange, auction, raffle, and leaf
painting were all just great. We never did get around to the hosta quiz that Reldon brought along. Walking through
the sales area, and watching the guys at work, was a revelation.
Chris and Brian, I hope you will have time to catch up on your sleep one day soon.
Renaldo and I had an opportunity to follow Art and Lynne over to Walter's gardens on the way home, and enjoyed the
tour of that huge operation very much. We had a hard time getting on the road..it seems that there was always just
one more thing to do or see. It was so late when we got back here that Reldon had to spend another night in my guest room.
We were too tired to unload the car!
DId I mention that I had a great time?

Linda P

[HostaDesigner]

This photo really did turn out good. Not one blink, all smiling, no fainting...

[fullofit]

I'm glad I got to be a part of the gathering, even tho I did leave much too early.
This get together was much more exciting than the family affair I attended later.
I like seeing everyone and hearing the 'green' talk going around. And a great pic.
Char

[Lessadragon]

We are home safe and sound. This was the best border crossing we have ever had!!! The border guards were very helpful and I can't say enough good about them. As for Chris and Brian, well, they're just the best. We had a wonderful time. It was great seeing old friends again and putting new faces to some old names. We really do have a great group of people on this forum! I'm sorry some of you couldn't make it this year. You were missed.
Now, I must go and take care of my new acquisitions!

Lynn

[Chris_W]

I'm glad to hear that everyone had such a good time and made it home safely. Of course all the smiles told it all

I was busy with something during the leaf painting so didn't get a chance to join in on that part Anyone have pictures of that to share? Brian told me that everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun with that little project.

About the food, I think we had enough dessert for 20 armies, that's for certain

Thank you all for another great event. We really enjoy doing this each year, and plan to do it again next year, likely the same weekend: Saturday, July 30th, 2011