SRGC forum member - informal poll

[Kristl Walek]

I was a member of SRGC, AGS, NARGS (and various chapters), as well as many individual specialist groups (Primula, Clematis, Penstemon, Cacti & Succulents etc) for many years; many, many years ago, long before the advent of the internet. It was the only way of connecting with like-minded souls and participating  in the seed exchanges.

I am now a member of none; nor have I been for a number of years. If I were inclined to financially support one by membership, it would be SRGC. I am now less interested in the "benefits of membership" (seed exchange, journals, etc) than I am in making contributions myself in whatever way I am able through donations of seed as a non-member, writing articles etc. I suppose this is part of the "service mentality" that comes with age.

My greatest lust is for knowledge---am greedy for information and learning. It motivates my entire life. And in that sense, what has happened to our world since the internet and the on-line gardening forums is indeed magical for me.

I joined this forum about two years ago, as I recall, being rather discouraged by Alpine-L and seeking a friendlier, more international participation and a more expansive mind-set. I grab every stolen moment when I am not overwhelmed with my business, to be here; have no issues with participation when I have time to do so.

From the beginning, I was warmly welcomed, never judged, and my learning curve has swept upward again; a most titilating thing for certain!!!!!!

[ranunculus]

Eloquently put, Kristl.  (Though I have never thought of this wonderful forum as - 'titillating' ... until now)!

[Susan]

Having a look at my back copies of the Rock Garden, it would appear the first was June 1982. (Over quarter of a century). This meant that I have just spent several hours reading that first copy again - no wonder I was hooked!  There was, and still is, nothing on this side of the world to match it. The seed list of course, was another reason to join.  I used to spend part of my Christmas holiday (often at the beach while my husband looked after the children) poring over books so I could get my order in.  Now it is all so much earlier and the order is back well before Christmas.

I joined the Forum very early on, probably after reading about it in a Rock Garden. That was in the days when there was only about a page of members registered, now I see that there are 25 pages.

It has been one of the most wonderful things to have evolved in my gardening life.  Such a great learning experience.  I have taken advantage of the 5 year sub offer - just as well, as our currency rate has dropped quite dramatically. 

Long may it prosper.

Susan

[Lesley Cox]

A further facet of Lesley's story is that by 1961 the SRGC already had a world wide membership, long before the advent of the internet.

Very true and I certainly wasn't the first from "abroad." There were at least 2 NZ members of AGS in 1929, within weeks of that Society's starting. They were Sid Frazer (mother of Margaret Pringle, known to many, and grandmother of Francie Herlund, known to many more) and Carl Teschner who was I think in his mid seventies when I joined, as a teenager. Fine and generous gardeners, both of them.

[Lesley Cox]

"[i]Yous"[/i]  is a common word in Central Scotland, Ulster and Geordie land.  "You" being 2nd person singular and "yous" being 2nd person plural.  It has a logical use and maybe should be accepted as a useful word.  If you are addressing a group using "you", it could mean an individual or the group.  "Yous" defines it as everybody.  No ambiguity.
It reminds me of a time in St. Andrews when Cindy and I were in a restaurant and the waitress came up to us and politely asked "what does yous want".  The reply should have been "wes wants something to eat"

But if "yous" is accepted as the plural of "you," we'd have to accept "sheeps" as the plural of "sheep" which could get tricky as in jest, we here in the deep south frequently have a little dig at the "yous" brigade by calling them "ewes."

[Anthony Darby]

"[i]Yous"[/i]  is a common word in Central Scotland, Ulster and Geordie land.  "You" being 2nd person singular and "yous" being 2nd person plural.  It has a logical use and maybe should be accepted as a useful word.  If you are addressing a group using "you", it could mean an individual or the group.  "Yous" defines it as everybody.  No ambiguity.
It reminds me of a time in St. Andrews when Cindy and I were in a restaurant and the waitress came up to us and politely asked "what does yous want".  The reply should have been "wes wants something to eat"

But if "yous" is accepted as the plural of "you," we'd have to accept "sheeps" as the plural of "sheep" which could get tricky as in jest, we here in the deep south frequently have a little dig at the "yous" brigade by calling them "ewes."

Especially if you are in Aberdeen!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Carl Teschner who was I think in his mid seventies when I joined, as a teenager. Fine and generous gardeners, both of them.

I've been growing Hebe "Carl Teschner" for a long time - nice to know where it came from... 

[olegKon]

While browsing the net for some information I needed a year and a half ago I came across Ian's Bulb log which I found extremely interesting and useful. This is where my acquaitance with the SRGC and the forum started. I've been a registered forumist for a year now enjoying a friendly atmosphere in the group of highly knoledgable people devoted to gardening with plants of my interest. The next step was to become a member of the SRGC. The most striking feature of both the forum and the Club for me is that they are... "personal". The point is not a colourful membersip card but the people whose presence you feel. I can't miss the opportunity to say here "Thank you" to Maggi, without her we wouldn't have half of this charming atmosphere. I'm happy to have been among all the forumists for a year of my being a member
Best wises to everybody
Oleg

[SueG]

Hmm
I rejoined the SRGC about 7 years ago and came onto the forum as soon as I was aware of it as an occasional poster when I can fit it in around work (I know I have to pay the mortgage somehow, but it is such a nuisance when work interferes with my gardening).
Having been off the forum for a few weeks I might eventually catch up again.
Sue

[Paddy Tobin]

Blasted polls!

It is a regular occurrence at work to receive telephone calls requesting participation in this or that opinion poll and my constant answer is "No thanks, goodbye"

I feel the urge to continue to express my opinions on this subject as it relates to this forum but it would only make work for Maggi so I will desist.

Paddy

[Anthony Darby]

This is one guy's answer to cold calling.

[Lesley Cox]

I've been growing Hebe "Carl Teschner" for a long time - nice to know where it came from... 

I think Hebe 'Carl Teschner' is the same plant as H. x Youngii.

[gote]

I noted this thread today so some of my comments are a little outdated.

I stumbled on this forum by a google search for something I do not remeber what.
I then lurked for some time; do'nt remember how long.
Registered and later (don't remember how late) became a (usually  ) paid up member.
I never get my seeds ready to send so early that I can contribute but I really appreciate the seed exchange.
I probably post too much and too often.

I do not understand the reference to runes They are not worse than using Latin letters for English.
Acronymes like CPU for Central Processing Unit are internationally understood but LOL, BDS etc are not understood by us non-scots.
The only one I really like is AFA = Another F***ing Acronyme

Göte
PS
This the best Forum I have seen on the web and that for many reasons.

[Paul T]

Thank you Tony (G). I shall enjoy thinking of myself as the "Senior Authority."

Lesley,

So we should just refer to you as "gran" or something then, should we?  What do the rest of yous fink?

For reference, I use LOL in emails, and <grin> to clearly show when I am laughing at something.  Here, I use the smiley face emoticons as they show nicely what I am wanting to say.  As you can see from most of my postings I laugh a lot!! 

[TC]

I do not understand the reference to runes They are not worse than using Latin letters for English.
A

I did not mean to insult your Scandinavian heritage but only that I find predictive text as unintelligible as runes or cuneiform.  As a matter of fact I like runes and I know an artist who incorporates them into his pictures to give some deeper meaning to the subject.  A bit posy to me !!