Galen fills a long vacant vice-president position and Helen will
step in for Gwen Lounsbury as secretary. Unfortunately Gwen
is dealing with serious health issues and will not be able to
continue as secretary. We wish her a speedy recovery and
await her return as an active member of our society. 

Both Baxters have a long history with rhododendrons. While working
at International Paper in Florence, they purchased a property on
highway 101. A plant of C.P. Van Ness introduced them to rhododendrons
in the mid 1050's, and in a few years built a greenhouse.

Galen and Helen founded the Siuslaw Chapter of the American
Rhododendron Society

Health issues at retirement brought them to Eugene in 1997.
They settled in " Summerfield Estates" located in
west Eugene, Oregon
Helen, who founded the Florence Humane Soociewty, has a special spot 
in her heart for stray animals, but limits the number at
Summerfield to two well-loved felines.
"People who garden liver longer," observes Helen. "They want 
to live to the next spring and see the new season's blooms"