New Mexico Dahlia Society Holiday Party
Sunday, December 14, 2025

Our Holiday Party this year was a festive and enjoyable occasion, hosted by members Sue Isley and Aaron Greenwood at their home in northwest Albuquerque. The gathering was well-attended, and participants shared their favorite holiday foods at the delicious potluck that was provided.

Members who attended the celebration included: President Edith Iwan, Sue Isley, Aaron Greenwood, Treasurer Jo Ann Miller, Secretary Julie Moss, Howard McCall, Tom Taylor, Joe Gorvetzian, David Wimsatt, Maureen Carson, Carla Chirigos, John & Sue Bond, Norm & Diane Kolb, Gil & Sally Quintana, and Megan & Declan Padgett.

Before enjoying food and beverage, Edith conducted a brief meeting during which she summarized plans for the NMDS next year. These plans included greater emphasis on the projects at the Agri-Nature Center, under the direction and tutelage of Master Gardener, Bill Shen. Several of the monthly meetings, as well as additional meetings, are planned to take place at the Agri-Nature Center in 2026, in the hopes of encouraging greater participation from members with the planting, growing, care of, showing, and harvesting of dahlias over the course of the growing season. These meetings will take place primarily in May, June, July, and August.

The first meeting in 2026 is scheduled for January 11th at 2:00pm at the Albuquerque Garden Center. Web designer and host Aaron Greenwood is scheduled to address the group regarding accessing the NMDS website, using both computers/tablets, as well as mobile devices, e.g., smartphones.

Several members will be hosting other monthly meetings at their homes to showcase their gardens. On February 1st member David Wimsatt will be hosting the monthly meeting and will discuss/demonstrate the use of underground drip systems and “pulse irrigation” to provide water for dahlias.

On June 21st Jo Ann Miller will be hosting the monthly meeting at her home, which will include a tour of her gardens and an explanation of Permaculture Gardening. August’s meeting is scheduled to take place at Kelly Barrow’s garden in Santa Fe. In addition to touring Kelly’s gardens, a program will be presented on how to prepare dahlias for show and transport.