2005 Educational Conference - Award Winners

For award descriptions, see the Awards page.

The Gertrude B. Foster Award for Excellence in Herbal Literature

Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay

This award will be jointly presented to a mother and daughter team, Madalene Hill and Gwen Barclay, members of the Pioneer Unit. Their book, Southern Herb Growing, is widely recognized as an authoritative reference for both novice and experienced herb gardeners, regardless of their growing zone. Both Madalene and Gwen are members of Garden Writers of America, and continue to contribute articles to local newspapers, as well as national and international publications, including The Herbarist and Herb Companion. Their garden at the Festival Hill Institute, where Gwen is Director of Food Services and Madalene is Curator, is renowned, and provides them with the vast experience of horticultural knowledge from which they write. They not only write about all aspects of herbs, but they share plants and culinary secrets with anyone who asks.

The Joanna McQuail Reed Award for the Artistic Use of Herbs

Jan Kish

Jan Kish, is a nationally recognized culinary artist, and creates unique and wonderful herbal and floral decorations, true to their botanical structure, made entirely of sugar and fondant. She has used herbs in both the baking and the decorating of magnificent, award-winning cakes that are so beautiful they are often preserved instead of eaten. Jan and her confections have been featured in many magazines and, as well as local and national TV programs. No one who attended the 1992 Herb Society Annual Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, will forget the artistry of the bee skep cakes that Jan made for each individual. 

The Nancy Putnam Howard Award for Horticulture Excellence

Caroline Amidon

A member of the Philadelphia Unit, Caroline served as president of The Herb Society of America from 1996 to 1998. She is a judge for, as well as an award winner, at the Philadelphia Flower Show. This is no surprise to anyone who has seen her gardens, greenhouse, or most specially, the "Show Girls," a National Collection of Pelargoniums that she and Joyce Brobst have preserved, propagated and presented in lectures all over the country. Caroline is a superb horticulturist, known especially for propagation of scented Pelargoniums, who shares her expertise with both local and national organizations. On a personal level, she is always eager to share her enthusiasm, knowledge and plants with others. 

The Helen de Conway Little Medal of Honor

Amy McKay Core

HSA Past President, Amy McKay Core, has been both a member at large and a unit member, and served in several capacities on the National Board of Directors from 1969 to 1974. As president from 1970 -1972, Amy kept The Society moving forward by thinking outside the box when challenges arose during her term of office. However, many feel that her largest contribution was even after her presidency, when she headed a committee studying how to better involve the members at large in our Society, and recognize the contributions they make. Amy lives in Zelienople, Pennsylvania, and is an honorary member of the Western Pennsylvania Unit.