New Member of GEA

[Ray Maynard]

Hello Fellow Members!
It is a great joy for me to become a member of this group
and will do everything I can to do my share in supporting
this great service.

I am a native of the State of Georgia but married a
native Californian 49 years ago, spending 18 years in
California.  Graduated from Chico State College in 1957
and spent 11 years working in California Corrections and
and a number of years other state Departments
Corrections.
Retired from largest Mental Health Hospital in Gray on
1-1-95.
Grew up on a two mule farm in my youth where I developed
a great love for plants but not back breaking work
raising peppers and water melons.  My mother taught me
much about flowers and she thought the native Ariseamas
were the greatest.

I have always worked with flower, however started getting
serious with Ariseamas five years.  Have bult a small
collection which I try to add to each year.  The large
Asian Ariseamas are just so great to me.  Look forward to
learning from other members and in the sharing our
knowledge and I realize there are many of you out there
that certainly know more in this area than I.

Happy Holidays, Ray Maynard