The person who donated the daylily contacts you after you win, and you make arrangements with her/him on shipping. If you do have a problem with the plant, you are able to contact the shipper about it. I have bid on the Region 11 auctions and received large clumps instead of the double fans advertised. Debra

Shadz, I like your descriptions. The 'Buy It Now' twist sounds like a great idea. Those convention people really get out of control with their auction bids. lol

Will bump this post up when the time is nearer to the auction.

Well, like everyone else, I've been wading through the new online Hosta Journal and I'm still trying to formulate a final opinion of it. I'll be the first one to say that I'd rather have a paper copy- bound and full of wonderful color photos- that I can just pull off my shelf and flip through in the evening on those long winter nights. Or grab on my way out the door to read over and over again on my breaktime at work. But at the same time, I understand the realities of dwindling membership along with the increasing costs of printing and mailing paper copies throughout the year. Like they say, money doesn't grow on trees (or in our hosta gardens, either!). Probably like you, I was quite skeptical of the value and usability of an online magazine when I first heard about it several months ago. I couldn't see how it would be nearly as good as a printed copy. And I thought that any benefits of an online Journal would be minimal compared with a hard copy in my hand. My first impression of the online Journal was very positive soon after it was posted earlier this week. First of all, it was easily accessible. Secondly, it was formatted exactly like my printed Journal, which I found quite helpful. Thirdly, it was chuck full of MANY great articles and good photos. Fourthly, it was easy to use and I could enlarge the photos for better viewing, with the click of my mouse. Fifthly, it was very professional looking, just like the printed version. And fifthly, I haven't lost it yet, whereas my paper copies are usually left all over the house- on my desk, the magazine rack, and under the bed after I'm done reading in the evening. I know where to find the online Journal. Like you, I'm gradually making my way through all of the articles in the online Journal. There's definately way too much good information to just plop down and read all the way through in one sitting. I scoured around and found some of my old Journals, and saw that the printed Journals have about 82-84 pages of material. With the new online Journal, I've tallied up all the articles and discovered that there's a whopping total of 203 pages!!! (See the tally sheet below.) If there's any criticism, it's that the new online Journal is a bit overwhelming! But that's a good criticism, as I appreciate being overwhelmed with hosta material like this! The more great photos of gardens and hostas I can browse, the better! I found there's stuff in the online Journal for everyone- amateur and professional alike. Some of it is very practical, some of it scientific/technical. Overall, my current opinion is that the online Journal is wonderful and the multitude of volunteers who've dedicated so much time and work to bring all of us such a great resource have done an outstanding job! A big "thank you" to all who were involved! A couple of questions I have are: Will each edition of the online Journal remain on the AHS website indefinately, for future reference? If I let my AHS membership lapse or expire, will I lose my ability to access the online Journals which I've paid for when my membership was current? Just curious how it will work in the future. And now, back to the online Journal. Happy reading! How long is the new online Journal? Front Cover- 1 page Contents- 3 pages About the New Online Journal- 3 pages Notes From the Editors- 4 pages President's Message- 2 pages Letters from Readers- 1 page Divisions- 3 pages This and That: 2010- 6 pages Standout Hostas- 3 pages Holistic Hosta Gardening- 3 pages Hot Hostas- 2 pages Focused on Hostas- 3 pages Preparing for a Convention Tour in My Garden- 4 pages Handling a Poorly Rooted Division- 3 pages A Southern Blight Strategy- 3 pages 2010 Alex J. Summers Distinguished Merit Award- 6 pages 2010 Eunice Fisher Distinguished Hybridizer Merit Award- 4 pages 2010 Benedict Garden Performance Program- 1 page Other 2010 American Hosta Society Awards- 2 pages The Traver Garden- A Treasure in those Wolcott Hills- 3 pages What's a Mini Hosta? Update, Critique & Where to Next?- 5 pages Building a Permanent Raised Bed- 4 pages A Hosta of a Different Color- 4 pages Reflections on the AHS Alex J. Summers Award- 5 pages Reprint of 1982 Summers Award Speech- 4 pages Report on the HVX Research Program- 4 pages Harold McDonell: A New Facet Revealed- 4 pages What's New at Q and Z? - An Interview with Mark Zilis- 5 pages Fall Slug Control- 3 pages Centerfold- 2 pages 2010 National Convention, Bloomington MN- 61 pages! Winter Scientific- 3 pages Hosta College- 4 pages First Look 10- 4 pages Midwest Regional- 2 pages Dixie Regional- 2 pages Our Next Convention Hosts- 4 pages Is Your Membership Current?- 2 pages Conventions, CONVENTIONS, Conventions- 2 pages AHS Online Auction 2011 - Rally 'Round!- 2 pages Call for Nominations for Summers and Fisher Awards- 4 pages Where are the Guest Plants?- 3 pages AHS Announcements- 2 pages Board of Directors- 3 pages Our Advertisers- 5 pages Back Cover- 1 page ________________________ Grand Total - 203 pages!!!